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One Farmer, Five Dogs And The Eighty Sheep They Tend

Sheep Farmer Denice Rackley

On this week's program, we meet Denice Rackley. She raises sheep and lambs with the assistance of some highly-trained border collies, but her dogs are more than just extra help around the farm:

My dogs are in when I'm in and outside when I'm outside. At 10 at night or 4 in the morning, they're right there with me. They don't complain if it's raining or if it's muddy or cold or snowing. I depend on them for everything.


Rackley lives in a part of southern Indiana where sheep farmers are few and far between. She also feels isolated as a single woman who operates a farm on her own. We hear how her business -- and her life -- is dependent on her dogs.

Then, it's planting season. For some farmers, the decisions they make today will determine whether or not their business turns a profit this year.

We go to Northern Colorado, where a new cheese factory is changing the farming landscape in some significant ways.

And, Daniel Orr's high-powered blender is the MVP of our two recipes. His vegetable-heavy take on cookout food.

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