Raising Connections

Dean the Turtle Whisperer: Shelled and Filtered 05-18-2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/fan_mail/new] This podcast dives into the lives of turtles, tortoises, and other reptiles that outlast generations, thriving under careful protection and purpose‑driven stewardship. Rachann talks with Dean, the keeper and guardian at Dean’s Turtle Farm, who manages many species, including over 100 turtles, while advancing education, conservation, and hands‑on protection.  This episode brings listeners closer to the reptiles that shape ecosystems and the people dedicated to preserving them.  Dean's Turtle Farm [https://deansturtlefarm.com/] Main [https://matts-turtles.org/] Mid Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/support] www.raisingconnections.com

Beyond the Asphalt 05-11-2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/fan_mail/new] Maryland State Highway Administrators Charlie Gischlar and Andrew Radcliffe sit down with Rachann to explore the planned completion of the Westminster Community Trail Loop and unexpected facts about Maryland state highways.  They pull back the curtain on the fast‑lane dangers faced by state highway workers, the real story behind the buffer lane, and the world of test gardens and pollinator green spaces thriving along Maryland’s roadsides.  It’s a conversation about how people and nature can thrive together when design, safety, and stewardship meet in the right place.  MDOT SHA MD27 MD140 to Hahn Rd CL3945179 [https://mdot-sha-md27-md140-to-hahn-rd-cl3945179-maryland.hub.arcgis.com/] Home [https://roads.maryland.gov/pages/home.aspx] roads.maryland.gov Construction Resumes on Westminster Boardwalk, Final Phase of Community Trail Project - Carroll News | Carroll Publications | Carroll County, MD [https://carroll.news/construction-resumes-on-westminster-boardwalk/] MD-Westminster, MD - Official Website | Official Website [https://westminstermd.gov/] Howard County Bird Club [https://howardbirds.website/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/support] www.raisingconnections.com

Tea and the Tractor 05-04-2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/fan_mail/new] White, green, oolong, and black teas are what happen when a professional engineer applies 30 years of systems-thinking to an acidic field in Howard County. You get the first tea farm in Maryland. Lori Baker, co-owner-operator of Heron's Meadow Farm, shares a candid look at the "identity crisis" of building a multi-faceted business and the relentless entrepreneurial spirit required to grow a crop that "isn't supposed to be here." This program explores the transition from secure communications to sustainable agriculture, highlighting how the "engineering mind" never truly stops—it just finds new problems to solve, from designing a functional teapot spout to outsmarting a local vole infestation. Herons Meadow Farm [https://heronsmeadowfarm.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/support] www.raisingconnections.com

Take the Reins of Tradition 04-27-2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/fan_mail/new] Join Claire Lacey, President of My Lady's Manor Driving Club and Rachann, as they free wheel through the world of modern horse driving. To quote Claire “Anything you can do on horseback, you can do in a cart.” This episode drives into the world of functional carts, elegant carriages, and rugged wagons.  They explore the world of carriage driving, where the driver and horse build a powerful partnership rooted in trust, communication, and connection.  About us | mlmdc [https://www.mlmdc.org/] The Maryland Horse Council [https://mdhorsecouncil.org/] Home - The American Driving Society, Inc. [https://www.americandrivingsociety.org/] Welcome to the Carriage Association of America - Carriage Association of America [https://www.caaonline.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/support] www.raisingconnections.com

Honey, I Shrunk the Sheep! 04-20-2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/fan_mail/new] Ever wondered why George Washington was obsessed with his sheep? This episode of Raising Connections offers a fascinating look into the history and heritage of shepherding.  This week, we step into the world of Elaine Shirley, President of the Leicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association, as she shares why sheep are the perfect "triple-purpose" animal for modern small farms. Plus, we get a sneak peek at what to expect at the upcoming Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival - May 2nd and 3rd, 2026. Leicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association [https://www.leicesterlongwool.org/] Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival | The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is one of the largest festivals of its kind celebrating all things sheep, from hoof to handwoven. [https://sheepandwool.org/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/support] www.raisingconnections.com