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Owner of Dragonfly Acres Farm | YTT-200 Strength Yoga | Yin Yoga | Pure Barre Fitness Teacher | Founder of Rooted with Sharlee
Hello! My name is Sharlee Fleshman. Maryland has always been home, though I often find myself dreaming of one day settling somewhere in the mountains. I'm a wife, mom of two, entrepreneur, animal advocate, yoga teacher, and the founder of Dragonfly Acres Farm and Rooted with Sharlee.
My journey has never fit neatly into one box. From a young age, I was drawn to both animals and helping others. I pursued a degree in Zoology with plans to attend veterinary school, believing my future would be dedicated to animal care. Life had other plans, but that passion never left me. Instead, it grew into what would eventually become Dragonfly Acres Farm—a rescue farm and nonprofit built on education, compassion, connection, and creating meaningful experiences for both people and animals.
Alongside my love of animals, movement has always been a grounding force in my life. In 2021, I became a Pure Barre instructor after discovering the strength, confidence, and community that movement can foster. Wanting to deepen my understanding beyond physical fitness, I completed my 200-hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training in 2022, followed by additional studies in Yin Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation.
Over time, I realized that what I was witnessing on the farm and what I was experiencing through yoga shared a common thread.
Whether it's a child or adult spending time with our rescued animals, someone finding confidence through movement, simply taking a moment to slow down and notice the world around them, healing often begins with feeling safe, connected, and accepted exactly as you are.
That understanding became the foundation for both Dragonfly Acres Farm and Rooted with Sharlee.
While my yoga classes are offered in the studio and my farm programs take place among the animals and nature, they are rooted in the same mission: creating supportive spaces where people can learn, grow, move, rest, and reconnect with themselves and others.
I strive to make both environments sensory-friendly, welcoming, and judgment-free. As a trauma-informed instructor and educator, I recognize that every person arrives with different experiences, needs, abilities, and comfort levels. There is no expectation to perform, achieve, or fit into a specific mold. Whether you're joining me on a yoga mat, attending a farm program, spending time with our rescue animals, or simply looking for a place where you can exhale and be yourself, you are welcome here.
My approach combines my background in animal behavior and science, my experience as an educator and nonprofit founder, and my training in strength, mobility, mindfulness, and yoga. Together, these experiences allow me to offer opportunities for growth that support the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
At Dragonfly Acres Farm, we believe animals and nature create opportunities for connection, curiosity, confidence, and healing. Through Rooted with Sharlee, I guide individuals toward greater strength, balance, self-awareness, and presence. Though the settings may be different, the intention remains the same.
To create spaces where people feel safe enough to explore, supported enough to grow, and welcomed exactly as they are.
Because healing isn't about becoming someone new. It's about reconnecting with the person you've always been.
I'm honored to be part of that journey.
XX,
Sharlee
Oh! How we've grown! Time for an updated family photo but here you
find our roots and how we got started.
Meet our family! In May 2023, we made the front cover of Orchard Living Magazine! It captured our years together quite nicely and a short recap of what has kept us busy in this crazy train called life. Super grateful for this opportunity & for our expanding community of supporters!
All Photos taken by NinaK Photography
May 2023 Edition of Orchard Living
By Alycia Edwards - Best Version Media
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Sharlee Fleshman found herself "frozen in time and disconnected." She worked in marketing at the time for a country music artist; obviously, everything came to a screeching halt. She reflects, "Thankfully, my husband, daughter, and son stayed healthy, but I lost income and business as a graphic designer as everything was shut down. So, I refocused on my kids...and we made the best of it."
Sharlee, her husband Mike, daughter Devyn (now 13), and son Reece (now 11), spent their days doing nature projects such as raising tadpoles and monarch butterflies, gardening, entomology, and hiking. Sharlee remembers, "We spent a lot of time with our animals- dogs, cats, rabbits, horse, mini pony, mini donkey, pigs, goats, and chickens. I truly believe they were our saving grace. Financially, we struggled to keep up with so many mouths to feed and with me not really bringing any income in."
The Fleshmans received many requests during this time from family and friends to visit the farm since it was one of the only activities everyone could do safely. From there, the idea came about to start a business offering tours of the farm. Sharlee says, "I guess in an odd way, the pandemic slowed us down, made us regroup, refocus, and opened other doorways."
Sharlee is no stranger to entrepreneurship. After many years as a veterinary technician, she opened Tenderpaws Doggie Daycare in 2005. In 2010, she founded Sharlee Fleshman Design, focusing on graphic design, which she still keeps active now. She added Jaynie's Love in 2015, which creates custom, sand-carved glassware. As if that was not enough, Sharlee became certified as a Pure Barre fitness instructor in 2021, and recently became certified as Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher. Finally, in August 2022, she officially turned their Anne Arundel County mini farm into a business, Dragonfly Acres Farm (dragonflyacresfarm.com), where they provide interactive/educational tours on their private property. Sharlee smiles, "Everyone can come interact with our donkey, pony, horse, pigs, goats, and chickens. We are currently manifesting for a cow!"
The Fleshmans live in Forks of the Patuxent; their development is over 100 years old. "We live on five acres in Mike's grandmother’s 1929 farm house. This house is extremely special to our family, as Mike has lived there since 1997 when his grandmother passed away. They were very close, and we can truly still feel her good energy in the home. Though we did renovations, we still kept its farmette charm. We are surrounded by 26 acres of family-owned land; Mike's parents live next door, and his aunt next to them. Our roots run deep!"
Mike and Sharlee met through a coworker 24 years ago. They went to a 1970's themed work party for their first date and have been together ever since. They welcomed Devyn about a decade later. Devyn is an avid equestrian who has been riding since she was six years old. She has a beloved horse named Dekota who she shows, along with other horses, in the spring, summer and fall. Additionally, Devyn plays the flute for the Arundel Middle School band; perhaps her musical inclination comes from her father Mike, who used to sing in a band!
Nineteen months after welcoming Devyn, Reece completed the Fleshman family. Reece's chosen sport is Taekwondo, which he started at age seven. He has achieved his red belt and is working toward his black belt. Reece is a proud member of Voung's Martial Arts Competitive Team and competes in many tournaments throughout the year. He also has a passion for planes, military aircrafts, and photography.
The Fleshman family motto: Stay humble, be kind.