Fighting Cancer, Saving Turtles: Support John Richards

Support John Richards and Loggerhead Acres Turtle Farm

In November 2024, our world shifted when John Richards was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. A lifelong conservationist, father, and founder of Loggerhead Acres Turtle Farm in Missouri, John has spent nearly three decades raising and protecting alligator snapping turtles, one of North America’s most endangered freshwater species. But now, he’s in the fight of his life.

John completed radiation, but he’s currently too weak to begin chemotherapy. He’s awaiting a major, life-changing surgery that could give him a fighting chance at healing and regaining quality of life. In the meantime, he’s unable to work or maintain the farm, something he’s devoted his life to since 1995.

Loggerhead Acres is more than just a turtle farm, it’s John’s legacy. It’s where his two sons, Schuyler and Austin, were raised in the mud, water, and mission of wildlife conservation. Now, with John unable to continue the work, his sons are doing everything they can to carry that legacy forward.

Schuyler quit his job to manage the farm full-time, but the workload is overwhelming during peak hatchling season. Austin, my husband, is doing what he can remotely from California while we care for our newborn, just a few weeks old. With limited support and no income from the farm, our family is struggling to stay afloat while keeping John’s dream alive.

We’re asking for your help, your kindness, generosity, and love, to support John and Loggerhead Acres during this critical time.

Your donations will help us:

Hire help to manage turtle care and hatchlings

Cover farm operational costs and animal feed

Provide meals and daily support for John and the family

Allow us to focus on John’s health and healing without the added stress of finances

Other ways to support:

If you’re unable to donate, you can still help by:

Sharing this campaign with your community

Purchasing or pre-purchasing a turtle through the official farm site: https://turtleman.com

We’ll be posting updates, photos, and progress as we continue caring for John and the turtles. Every donation, share, and prayer matters.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey with us. We know John would be the first to help someone else, and now we are here, asking for that same compassion in return.

With love and gratitude,

Shauna

On behalf of the Richards Family

Loggerhead Acres Turtle Farm, Missouri