Raising Connections

Send us Fan Mail How much food goes to waste in your household? Rachann talks with Riley from Imperfect Produce, a company that's working to help end food waste and build a better food system for everybody. They work with farmers all across the country who have misshapen, ugly, and surplus produce, Imperfect Produce sources that produce and ships it to families. Support the show www.raisingco...

Send us Fan Mail Ellicott City is a historic small town in Howard County, Maryland. Donna Sanger owns Park Ridge Trading in Ellicott City and on July 30, 2016, after being open for only 3 months, lost everything to a flood. She reopened in the original spot in February 2017, then lost everything again to another flood on Memorial Day Weekend 2018. Donna recounts her experiences and lessons learned...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Zac Rissmiller, partner with his cousin Mike McKelvin, from 1623 Brewing Company in Eldersburg, Maryland. Mike wanted to open a brewery in Carroll County and he called on his cousin Zac, living and working in Colorado, for help. The name 1623 Brewing came from the distance between the cousins, 1623 miles!  For more of their story, visit 1623brewing.com. Support...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Rachann talks with a panel of women from the Maryland Horse Council and the Maryland Equine Transition Service about the functions of each organization.  Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann and Marta discuss the book “Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog” by Ted Kerasote, a heartwarming and insightful love story that explores the unique bond between humans and dogs. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Tony Brusco is the CEO of South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, Maryland. He talks with Rachann about marrying a farmer's daughter and falling in love with agriculture. They started with a dairy farm, then opened the Creamery selling milk, butter, ice cream, and eggs. Visit www.southmountaincreamery.com. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Jackie Coldsmith of Tierra Blooms Flower Farm in Taneytown about her business and how she got there. After studying environmental science at Hood College, Jackie traveled to Central America to study forest ecology and was introduced to subsistence culture. Inspired by her travels, she started growing produce to sell at local farmer's markets, then switched...

Send us Fan Mail Do you struggle to bathe your dogs? Carroll County native Tom Zipprian is the co-inventor and co-owner of Aqua Paw, a new stress-free way to bathe dogs which was featured on the TV show Shark Tank. Tom talks with Rachann about Aqua Paw and how it works, either outdoors with a water hose, or indoors in the shower. They discuss how to get a business off the ground, including making...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Ron Pilling with the Jesse Clump Suicide Awareness and Prevention Program on the Eastern Shore. The Save-a-Shore Farmer Program helps people in rural Maryland areas that are involved in farming including not just farm families, but others who have daily contact with farmers,  recognize risk factors and warning signs of suicide, and what to do to help. Support th...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Karen Scott, a volunteer at The Retreat at Beckleysville, a therapeutic riding program and part of the Maryland Horse Discovery Centers network. The program offers lessons to people of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs. Find out how you can volunteer! Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Karen Baker, director of The Humane Society of Carroll County, about the HSCC shelter and Animal Control, two components of the Humane Society. They also discuss many events that are scheduled in the coming months. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Linda Johnson about her farm in New Windsor, Maryland, Garden Gate Farm.  She cross-pollinates and raises a variety of flowers and vegetables, and sells heirloom seeds on Etsy. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Diane Capriotti and her husband own and operate the Arena in Mount Airy, Maryland, an indoor sports arena that offers a party room for kids' birthday parties and adult get togethers; batting cages and a golf simulator; indoor space for teams to practice in bad weather, and much more. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann and her friend, dog-trainer Marta from My K-9 Buddy, discuss their favorite dog toys, or their dogs' favorite toys that is! Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann first met George Varros after a November 2018 tornado hit Mount Airy and damaged 72 trees on her property, along with the house. George was taking aerial drone pictures of the storm's aftermath. They have a fascinating conversation about George's career working for NASA, photographing meteors, his love of photography and drones, and much more. Support the show ww...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with mother-daughter team Sharon and Heather about their business Muddy Carrots, which embraces modern homesteading practices. It's a local, farm-friendly, ag-supporting, homesteading, printing company and boutique store. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail New Leaf Acres is a unique equestrian facility located in Keymar, Maryland, a place where self-discovery and the connection between horse and human can help heal trauma. Owner Becky Maticic, who opened the farm in 2014 after the tragic death of her husband, offers lessons, kids summer camps, pony clubs for kids and adults, and much more. to learn more, visit n ewleafacres.com. Sup...

Send us Fan Mail Do you know the difference between a fear, a phobia, and anxiety? Is there a relationship between fear and learning - or not learning? Marta is a dog trainer who talks with Rachann about fears - in both dogs and people - and how to overcome them. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with John Fendrick, owner of Rock Hill Orchard, a 200-acre property in Mount Airy, Maryland. Thirty acres are dedicated to apple and peach trees and berry bushes, and the other 170 acres are for the herd of Guernsey cows that provide milk and homemade ice cream. John tells about his journey from buying the property and opening the dairy, Montgomery County's firs...

Send us Fan Mail Do you know the difference between a bucking bull and a rodeo bull? Rachann's guest on this episode is Johnny Williams, owner of J Bar W Ranch in Johnstown, Maryland where summer Saturdays are all about rodeo! Come out to see Battle of the Beast bull riding competitions and Cowgirls Barrell Racing. For more information, schedules, and directions, visit www.jbarwranch.com. Sup...

Send us Fan Mail Bryan Smith is a third-generation turkey farmer at Hillside Turkey Farm in Thurmont, Maryland. He and Rachann talk about a typical day on the farm, especially at this busy time of year! Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Local farmer and Invisible Fence Brand spokesperson Justin Ward speaks with Rachann about the new technologies employed by Invisible Fence, including GPS. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com