In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims and guest co-host Dusty Timmons sit down with Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch, to discuss innovative approaches to vineyard management through regenerative agriculture. Mulville shares how he integrates livestock grazing, biodiversity, and sustainable vineyard design to improve soil health, reduce irrigation needs, and enhance overall vineyard resilience.

The conversation delves into the unique trellising system used at Paicines Ranch, allowing year-round sheep grazing while maintaining grape production. Mulville also highlights the role of biodiversity, discussing how increasing plant species from 11 to over 100 has improved vineyard sustainability. He shares insights into the economic benefits of regenerative viticulture, the challenges of pests like voles, and the importance of adapting vineyard practices to climate variability.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how regenerative farming principles can be applied to viticulture, creating a system that benefits both the land and the farmer. This episode offers valuable takeaways for vineyard owners, conservationists, and anyone interested in the future of sustainable agriculture.

More About Our Guest:

Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch

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For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

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Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Acre and Rust - Ty and Chelsea Criswell
• Calloway Huffaker, attorney, partner at Huffaker & Harris, LLP
• Garrett Couts, Partner, Brady and Hamilton, LLP

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Aric Denton, a chemical engineer and co-founder of DJR Labs, to discuss innovative ways to transform produced water—a byproduct of oil and gas extraction—into valuable resources.

Denton, who grew up on a cotton farm in Texas, shares his journey from farming to studying chemical engineering and how his background shaped his interest in finding sustainable solutions for produced water. He explains the complex composition of produced water, which contains various minerals, salts, and even lithium, and explores how these elements can be extracted and repurposed for industrial, agricultural, and technological applications.

The conversation dives into potential solutions, including using produced water for irrigation, industrial cooling, and even municipal water supplies. Denton also discusses the challenges of filtering out valuable elements, the role of microbes in water purification, and the economic potential of converting waste into marketable products.

With a focus on using "every part of the buffalo," this episode highlights how scientific innovation and responsible water management can create new economic opportunities while reducing environmental impacts

More About Our Guest:

Aric Denton co-Founder and CEO of DJR Labs

Email

Linked-In: Aric Denton E.I.T.

X: @AricDenton

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates • Instagram • Facebook • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch
• Acre and Rust - Ty and Chelsea Criswell
• Calloway Huffaker, attorney, partner at Huffaker & Harris, LLP

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, a research professor at the University of Maryland and a leader in NASA’s agricultural initiatives. They discuss how satellite technology is revolutionizing farming, providing real-time data on crop conditions, weather patterns, and soil health.

Dr. Whitcraft explains how NASA’s Acres Program aims to bridge the gap between space-based data and on-the-ground farming decisions. By working directly with farmers and agricultural organizations, the initiative helps improve yield forecasting, resource management, and climate resilience. They also explore the Farm Innovation Ambassador Team (FIAT) program, which fosters collaboration between researchers and producers to ensure that satellite-driven insights directly benefit the farming community.

The conversation highlights the critical role of farmers in global food security and economic stability. With agriculture facing increasing challenges—from climate change to economic pressures—this episode emphasizes the importance of innovation, collaboration, and ensuring that farmers have access to the best technology available.

More About Our Guest:

Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft is the founding Executive Director of NASA Acres and the former and co-founding Deputy Director for NASA Harvest. She also direct the Harvest Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture (SARA) Initiative.

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates • Instagram • Facebook • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Aric Denton co-Founder and CEO of DJR Labs
• Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch
• Ty and Chelsea Criswell, Acre and Rust

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator at the McDonald Observatory, about the growing issue of light pollution and its impact on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Hummel explains how artificial light disrupts natural ecosystems, sleep cycles, and migratory patterns while also reducing opportunities to view the stars.

The conversation highlights the simple, cost-effective solutions to light pollution, such as directing light downward, using appropriate intensity, and choosing warmer light tones. Hummel emphasizes that reducing light pollution benefits businesses, saves energy, and improves safety without sacrificing visibility.

Listeners will learn about the McDonald Observatory’s efforts to preserve Texas’ night skies and the broader implications of these initiatives for tourism, local economies, and the preservation of wildlife habitats. Hummel also touches on community-led approaches to light management and shares how cities like Dripping Springs, Texas, and Flagstaff, Arizona, are leading the way in becoming dark-sky-friendly communities.

This enlightening episode demonstrates how small changes in lighting practices can have a big impact on our environment, economy, and health.

More About Our Guest:

Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator, McDonald Observatory / The University of Texas at Austin

Dark Skies Initiative

Instagram

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates • Instagram • Facebook • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, Executive Director of NASA Acres and the former and co-founding Deputy Director for NASA Harvest
• Aric Denton co-Founder and CEO of DJR Labs
• Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Texas State Senator Charles Perry about one of the state’s most pressing challenges—water security. Representing a vast rural district, Senator Perry has been a leading advocate for water infrastructure investment and policy reform.

The discussion covers Texas' long-term water plan, the urgent need for new water sources, and the importance of state-backed funding for large-scale water projects. Perry explains how Texas can develop up to 50 million acre-feet of new water supply through marine desalination, brackish groundwater desalination, produced water reuse, and untapped surface water. He also discusses the upcoming November 2025 statewide vote on securing dedicated funding for long-term water infrastructure—an initiative modeled after Texas’ successful road planning system.

The conversation also touches on the future of irrigation in agriculture, the economic impact of water shortages, and innovations in water treatment and reuse. Perry emphasizes that Texas has the resources and the opportunity to solve its water crisis but must act now to ensure sustainable growth and economic prosperity.

Listeners will gain valuable insight into Texas' water future, the challenges of balancing urban and rural water needs, and why water stewardship is key to the state’s continued success.

More About Our Guest:

Texas Senator Charles Perry

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates • Instagram • Facebook • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator, McDonald Observatory / The University of Texas at Austin
• Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, Executive Director of NASA Acres and the former and co-founding Deputy Director for NASA Harvest
• Aric Denton co-Founder and CEO of DJR Labs

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Mike Hightower, director of the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, about the groundbreaking efforts to transform produced water— a byproduct of oil and gas extraction— into a valuable resource.

Hightower explains the staggering volume of produced water generated in the Permian Basin and how research is leading the way in treating and reusing this water for agricultural, industrial, and potentially even municipal purposes. He outlines the scientific and regulatory steps taken to ensure safe treatment, the economic benefits of reusing produced water, and the innovative technologies being deployed, including thermal and membrane filtration methods.

The conversation also explores the challenges of overcoming misconceptions about produced water, the potential for reducing seismic activity linked to deep-well injections, and the broader implications for water stewardship in arid regions like West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Hightower emphasizes that responsible water management is not just about conservation—it's about using all available resources wisely to support economic development and long-term sustainability.

Listeners will gain insight into how energy production and water management intersect and why this emerging field could play a crucial role in securing water for the future.

More About Our Guest:

New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium

Water Reuse Action Plan

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates • Instagram • Facebook • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Texas Senator Charles Perry
• Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator, McDonald Observatory / The University of Texas at Austin
• Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, Executive Director of NASA Acres and the former and co-founding Deputy Director for NASA Harvest

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Robert Mace, Executive Director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, for a deep dive into the complexities of water management in Texas. Mace shares his fascinating journey into the field of water science, discusses the significance of the Ogallala Aquifer, and explains how recharge works in this critical water source.

The conversation touches on innovative approaches to water conservation, including rainwater harvesting, atmospheric water generation, and the restoration of Playa Lakes. Mace also addresses the challenges of balancing agricultural needs, environmental stewardship, and urban growth in a state heavily reliant on water resources like the Ogallala, which accounts for 64% of Texas' groundwater use.

The episode emphasizes the importance of local control in water planning, the need for a diversified approach to addressing water scarcity, and the critical role of community engagement in shaping sustainable solutions. Listeners will gain a new appreciation for the interconnectedness of water resources and their impact on agriculture, economics, and daily life in Texas.

More About Our Guest:

Robert Mace, Executive Director, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Texas Water Development Board

Fahrenheit 140 Podcast

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates • Instagram • Facebook • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Mike Hightower - Director of NM Produced Water Consortium
• Texas Senator Charles Perry
• Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator, McDonald Observatory / The University of Texas at Austin

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillary Timmons-Sims speaks with Tom Sell, co-founder of Combest, Sell & Associates, and a dedicated advocate for agriculture in Washington, D.C. Tom shares his journey as a lobbyist for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, providing insights into the critical role of federal agricultural policies like the Farm Bill.

The conversation delves into the challenges farmers face, from rising production costs to volatile commodity prices, and highlights the importance of farm safety nets such as Title I programs and crop insurance. Tom explains how these policies support independent family farms, ensuring food security and economic stability.

They also discuss the evolving dynamics of agriculture, the potential of niche markets, and the resilience of farmers navigating economic pressures and environmental constraints. The episode underscores the value of creativity, community, and advocacy in sustaining the agricultural backbone of the nation.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the Farm Bill, the balance between large-scale industrial agriculture and local farming, and the essential role of policy in shaping the future of American agriculture.

More About Our Guest:

Tom Sell - Combest, Sell Firm in DC, Southwest Council of Agribusiness

Website for Combest-Sell Firm

Website for Southwest Council

GroundWork Podcast

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates • Instagram • Facebook • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Robert Mace, Executive Director, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
• Mike Hightower - Director of NM Produced Water Consortium
• Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch