Alcove Farms: Sowing, Growing and Restoring the Natural Way

For Kerry Ritchie, president of Alcove Farms, nutrient-rich, pasture-raised eggs are just a symptom of the farm’s overall goal; sow, grow and restore the soil of their land. Alcove Farms began in 2016, nested within the Lubbock city limits on 4th Street and Alcove. Ritchie and his team of farmers contribute to the Wolfforth Farmers […]

Not All Cactus and Gravel: Understanding our Relationship with Green Spaces

Lubbock’s dry, semi-arid climate can require homeowners and businesses to keep a close eye on their landscape practices to ensure their lawns stay healthy and beautiful – green.  However, experts say this can lead to overwatering and a mismanagement of the local natural resources. The Green Psyche Dr. Susan Tomlinson, an associate professor of the […]

Vets for Tech: Veterinary facilities get approval despite Texas A&M pushback

By Reece Nations The Texas Tech Board of Regents held a meeting on Oct. 4, in which a near $1.5 million increase to the university’s future veterinary science program’s project budget was approved, raising the anticipated project allotment to $89.82 million. The $84,480 budget adjustment signal the board’s intention to move ahead with the veterinary program project with interim Chancellor Tedd Mitchell in place of now-former Chancellor Robert Duncan after Duncan announced he […]

Never When It’s Needed: Rain in West Texas

West Texas needs rain, but not all rain showers are welcomed by farmers. With an average annual precipitation of 18 inches, every bit helps, but when several inches fell during the first weeks of October, many in the area celebrated the moisture – except cotton farmers. Hale and Lubbock County cotton farmer Cliff Harkey said he’s […]

Texas Tech Soil Professor Uses Deep Roots for Research Motivation 

Katie Lewis, Ph.D., has made a career in getting her hands dirty – quite literally. Her job, which she does not take lightly, is to research soil health and fertility. Covered in dirt, Lewis pursues her passion by using personal and professional motivators to find answers to some of the soil’s deepest mysteries. Lewis is an assistant professor of […]

Cape Town and The South Plains: A Tale of Water Shortage

The Crisis Heard Around the World The eyes of the world were turned to Cape Town, South Africa earlier this year as the city announced that they were running out of water. Dams and reservoirs were lower than ever before. A one-in-a-million, three-year drought was unprecedented. “Day 0,” as it was called, became the new […]

Mr. Peanut is Probably a Texan

By Laura Duclos Texas is the fourth largest peanut producer in the United States, and a lot of peanut farms are on the nearby plains. The Texas Peanut Producers Board, located in Lubbock, is a group of peanut farmers from across the state that promotes awareness for its crops. Hallie Bertrand, director of communications for TPPB, said the group is […]

West Texas Wine Making Ferments Pride

By Victoria Holloway When Cliff Babbitt retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety in 2006, he decided to start another full-time job: growing wine grapes. His choice is not surprising: The West Texas weather is good for growing quality grapes. Dry heat concentrates the sugars, which makes wine sweeter. A good grape harvest will net […]

Conversations with an (Almost) Congressman: Jodey Arrington

Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, is no stranger to Washington, D.C., having worked for President George W. Bush. He is now trying to get back to the capital as a congressman. Arrington is one of two candidates vying for the District 19 congressional seat in the May 24 runoff election. If elected, he hopes his previous experience in Washington will give […]

Conversations with an (Almost) Congressman: Glen Robertson

From restructuring LP&L to dealing with Snow Storm Goliath, in his past four years as mayor, Glen Robertson, R-Texas, has seen it all. Now, he is hoping to hold a new office in Washington, D.C. Robertson is one of two candidates vying for the District 19 congressional seat in the May 24 runoff election. He hopes […]