Doug Stephan, host and American Family Farmer, www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news of a new study that shows that 3/4 of American consumers want to buy products from local farms. Also news that meat prices have gone up 21% since the pandemic began. Next, we meet Dave Chapman, owner of Longwind Farm www.longwindfarm.com and founder of the Real Organic Project www.realorganicproject.org and www.keepthesoilinorganic.org Long Wind Farm began in 1984 with Dave and a team of oxen. For three decades...
Feb 09, 2022•35 min
Doug Stephan, host and American Family Farmer, www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how the Right to Repair Act is progressing and President Biden's support. 77% of farmers are buying older farm equipment to avoid dealing with unfriendly repairs on new equipment. Next, we meet Del Ficke, www.fickecattle.com del@grazemaster.com who owns and operates Ficke Cattle Company Graze Master Genetics in eastern Nebraska. With more than 35 years of experience as both an agriculturist and cattleman,...
Feb 03, 2022•36 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about The American Food Labeling Act, Senate Bill #2716 and The Right to Repair Act. Next, Doug introduces Matt Caresco. Matt currently runs development and strategic projects for Farmer's Footprint. matt@projectbiome.org https://www.facebook.com/farmersfootprint/ He is a 3rd generation cherry and walnut grower in central CA, Matt's life has revolved around agriculture. Farmer’s Footprint is a coalition of farme...
Jan 27, 2022•36 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about National Corn Week and a little history lesson about corn. Next, news about how milk has been produced in a laboratory, without a cow. Then, Doug introduces us to Rob Myers, Ph.D., the Director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri. www.cra.missouri.edu Rob has been an adjunct faculty member with the Plant Sciences Division since 2001 and began serving as the part-time di...
Jan 19, 2022•36 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with an overview of what defines a Family Farm. Then, news about the Governor of Maine, who recently vetoed a farmer unionization bill. Did you know that 200-million eggs are consumed every day? Next, we meet Emma Lindberg, Sr. Director, Education and Programming, NFU (National Farmers Union) https://nfu.org/ As Sr. Director, Education & Programming, Emma Lindberg assists in the planning, scheduling, and implementatio...
Jan 12, 2022•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Department of Agriculture reports that Family Farms remain the main source of food production in our country. 98% are Family Farms and the average farm earns $350-thousand dollars a year, but the bad news is that 38% of them have to also work off the farm, to keep it going. Next, we meet Agricultural Journalist, Chris Bennett. https://www.agweb.com/news/business/technology/best-bennett-read-his-six-top-...
Jan 06, 2022•34 min
American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com takes a look back at the happenings of the year 2021. Some of the topics included are: how farmers and ranchers are not getting their fair share of the profits made off their products and the recall of Dole vegetables and fruits. Do you know which foods boost your immune system to help prevent COVID? Then Farmer Doug says that he feels the energy of the ground and suggests creating harmony on your farm. Next, more news, includin...
Dec 30, 2021•35 min
American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how Family Farmers are dealing with Climate Change. Next, we meet Doug Hensley, President of Real Estate Services of Hertz Farm Management. https://www.hertz.ag/ Doug grew up on a cash-grain and livestock farm in western-Illinois, and has worked in the Midwestern farmland brokerage and auction business for nearly 25 years. Hertz Farm Management and Hertz Real Estate Services specializes in professional far...
Dec 27, 2021•37 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with information about Animals For Therapy at farms. Then, news about the proposed Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, that is hoped to bring some order to pricing. Next, we meet Alexia Kulwiec, Executive Director of the non-profit Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. www.FarmToConsumer.org At the FTCLDF Alexia represents members in their efforts to produce and consume healthy locally grown farm products and helps them navigat...
Dec 20, 2021•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how the CA dairy industry is dealing with difficult times. Doug also offers an update on the agricultural devastation about the recent tornadoes in Kansas. Next, we meet Tim Andriesen, Managing Director Agricultural Products, CME Group. www.CMEgroup.com The CME Group is focused on delivering new ways to manage risk and improve performance in agriculture. Tim offers tips on how futures and options help farm...
Dec 17, 2021•36 min
American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Senate wants to ban two ingredients in pesticides. Then another item in the news "Can Climate Change Destroy Farming As We Know It today?" Next, we meet Co-Farmer in Chief of Cox Farms, Lucas Cox. www.coxfarms.com Lucas grew up on the farm, and while his parents, Eric and Gina, are semi‐retired they still make their opinions known in that special way parents do. In 1972, they created the Cox Farms Fall ...
Dec 16, 2021•38 min
American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Senate wants to ban two ingredients in pesticides. Then another item in the news "Can Climate Change Destroy Farming As We Know It today?" Next, we meet Co-Farmer in Chief of Cox Farms, Lucas Cox. www.coxfarms.com Lucas grew up on the farm, and while his parents, Eric and Gina, are semi‐retired they still make their opinions known in that special way parents do. In 1972, they created the Cox Farms Fall ...
Dec 02, 2021•36 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephen, www.eastleighfarm.com begins with an overview of the National American Farm Broadcasters Convention that he's attending in Kansas City. Next, news about a new film, produced by Chipotle, "The Future Begins," that depicts many of today's struggles on the Family Farmer. Next, we meet Ken Ferrie, owner of Crop Tech Consulting in Heyworth Illinois. www.croptechinc.com Crop-Tech is a family-owned business. Along with his wife, three of their four childre...
Nov 18, 2021•37 min
Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that broadband internet needs to be expanded in rural areas in America. Next, a look ahead at the long-range weather forecast for farmers. Then, we meet Vicki Wojcik, Dir. of Science Pollinator Partnership. www.Pollinator.org As Research Director she oversees P2’s research program, keeping on top of new and emerging pollinator issues and managing a program set that includes pollinator habitat conservation and lan...
Nov 16, 2021•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins news that the Food Sovereignty Act passed this week, in Maine, as part of the state's Constitution. Also, news about recalled bagged lettuce and the state of broadband internet in rural areas. Next, we meet Jim Roberts, Chairman of the Board - Farm to Consumer Foundation. www.f2cfnd.org The foundation's mission is to educate and bring local farmers and customers together. They have a report on how farmers and consumers in ...
Nov 04, 2021•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with good news that The USDA's Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program is back. Also, in the news, off-farm revenue makes up roughly 82% of total farm income. Canned pumpkin is up $2-dollars from last year, but the most farmers will only get 19-cents out of every Thanksgiving food dollar spent. Next, we meet acting Administrator/Deputy Administrator for Product Management Risk Management Agency, of the USDA, Richard Flourno...
Oct 28, 2021•34 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about the Department of Agriculture initiating a $400-million dollar Dairy Donation program as part of the larger Pandemic Assistance Program. Then, Doug talks about why beef ranchers are not reaping the benefits of higher consumer beef prices. Next, we meet Rebecca Bates Sloane of the Bates Turkey Farm. www.batesturkey.com The farm began in 1923, the day Aunt Mamie Bates gave her nephew, W.C. Bates, Sr. and his...
Oct 25, 2021•37 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how the slowdown of the USPS will affect the Family Farm. An Ohio Family Farmer invites the public to view Fall crop harvesting, for a charge. Also, prices of food in aluminum containers is going up. Next, we meet Director of Environment & Community Impact for Tillamook, Jocelyn Bridson. https://www.tillamook.com/ Last year, at the height of the pandemic, a new campaign called the “All For Farmers” ini...
Oct 14, 2021•37 min
American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins USDA news and their plan to provide $1.5 billion dollars to help with school lunches. Next, all indications lead to the conclusion that there will be grocery shortages this fall. Then, we meet Karl Milikowski, owner of Foster Hill Farm and Garden Shop, Stafford Connecticut. www.FosterHillFarmandGarden.com Karl and his wife Kim breed Miniature Donkeys, they raise Flowers, Herbs, Heirloom tomato plants and pepper plants for...
Oct 07, 2021•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a review of State Fairs. Then, all about Cellular Agriculture. Next, we meet National Farmers Union President, Rob Larew. www.nfu.org Rob focusses on Fairness For Farmers, a campaign that seeks to rally Americans to urge their Congressional leaders and the Biden administration to take concrete steps to curtail consolidation in agriculture, which negatively impacts farmers, ranchers and consumers. www.nfu.org/fairness-...
Oct 05, 2021•37 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that President Biden's plan to increase the Death Tax is being challenged by Democrats and Republicans, alike. Next, we meet Jacqueline Smith, founder of Central Grazing Company. https://centralgrazingcompany.com/ Jacqueline believes that the collapse of our farming infrastructure may be eminent and how it is limiting our capacity to create balance i n the marketplace. Central Grazing Company was founded in 2015...
Sep 16, 2021•35 min
Doug Stephan, Host and American Family Farmer www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about Joe Biden's support for competition in farming. Did you know that the farmer's share of every food dollar has shrunk from 50% in 1950 to 16% today? Then, news of a South Dakota farmer who is suing the Federal Government over declaring his land, with a little puddle, as a protected wetland. Next, we meet Michael Robinov, who launched Farm To People, with cofounder von Haeften and his father David Robinov in...
Sep 09, 2021•36 min
American Family Farmer and Host Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with sad news that 90 Organic Dairy Farms have lost their contracts to supply raw milk, beginning January 1, 2022. Next, we meet Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of Farm Safety Foundation/Yellow Wellies Charity. www.yellowwellies.org Stephanie’s BIO: Hailing from Donegal in Ireland, her friends were either farmers or fishermen; equally dangerous industries. The Farm Safety Foundation works closely with Young Farmers Clubs, HSE,...
Sep 08, 2021•36 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about the Billion Dollar fund now available for contract farmers. New weeds are becoming new problems. Did you know that 25% of farmers today are beginners? 440 acres is the average size of farms in America. Next, we meet Linda Horn, Interim Director, UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. https://ag.umass.edu/mass4h She explains what 4-H is and how it is affiliated with the University system. She explai...
Sep 06, 2021•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with more news about the effects of the droughts, out west. Then, news about more benefits to drinking raw milk. Next, we meet Executive Director of The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Brad Mitchell. www.mfbf.net - brad@mfbf.net the Mass Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest and oldest farm organization. Their mission: To strengthen a diverse agricultural community by supporting and advocating for Massachuse...
Aug 24, 2021•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that Baer Chemical plans to stop selling Roundup, in a couple years. This will happen when they have developed a replacement that does not contain glyphosate. Growing lawsuits over Roundup is costing them $billions. The USDA announced that $67-million will become available in loans to those who don't have titles to their land, through The Homestead Act. Next, Farmer Doug reveals the four companies that control m...
Aug 15, 2021•35 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with stories about three family dairies that are having a tough time. Next, we meet Lesley Sykes, founder and CEO of Primary Beans. www.primarybeans.com Primary Beans is a new, direct-to consumer online dried bean company offering an array of single-origin beans from recent harvests, sourced across North America from climate-conscious farm partners. They believe that beans as the perfect food from a nutritional, culinary ...
Aug 12, 2021•36 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about the troubled Dairy industry in Wisconsin, and elsewhere. In other Ag News, farms are finding it extremely difficult fill jobs on their farms. Next, we meet Farm Aid’s Communications Director, Jennifer Fahy. www.farmaid.org Jennifer has been with Farm Aid since 2002. Since its creation Farm Aid has raised over $60 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. This year's event...
Jul 30, 2021•34 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture News. This week, more on the efforts to prevent China from purchasing prime farmland and getting subsidies from The Federal Government. Next, we meet Thomas Delgado, who specializes in training farmers to learn about selling their products to schools, through the Farm-To-School Network. www.farmtoschool.org Thomas shares the vision for how farm to school activities can be part of the work of growing racia...
Jul 27, 2021•36 min
Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about Biden's new plans to help crack down on China's encroachment into Family Farming and forcing big equipment manufacturers to make repairs easier. Next, we meet Aaron Zimmerman, who recently joined the Midwest Farm Report (Madison, Wisconsin) radio network team as a farm broadcaster. www.midwestfarmreport.com His family is deeply invested in FFA. His dad's an agriculture instructor/FFA advisor and his mom is...
Jul 27, 2021•36 min
