American Family Farmer

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture News that Thomas James Vilsack will become the new Secretary of Agriculture. He has served two previous terms in the same post, during the Obama Administration. He tends to favor the larger factory farms, rather than the smaller family farms. Tractor manufacturer John Deere and several others are receiving heat for not delivering on their promise to make it easier for farmers to service their own...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture News about how the recent severe weather has affected farming and ranching. Then, news about PPP for farmers and getting farmworkers vaccinated. Next, Doug introduces us to a former TV reporter, who went on to lead a Nebraska State organizing campaign on health care reform, served as the national executive director of the Young Democrats of America, the foundation director for Renfrew a mental health...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture News. First up, President Biden selects Tom Vilsack as his Agriculture Secretary. He had previously served in the same post for eight years, under the Obama Administration. Then news that it's estimated that over 35-million Americans do not have access to wholesome food. Then, we meet a first-generation organic seed farm in Bridgewater, Maine, Jim Gerritsen. He and his family own and operate Wood...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the new Administration has stopped payments from President Trump's Farm Relief Program. Reportedly, 87% so far has gone to big food companies. Meat numbers are down 67% from the big producers, due to COVID. Local farmers have benefitted from this. Next, we meet Elizabeth Hines of Solar Oysters. www.solaroysters.com Elizabeth orchestrates the business development efforts of Solar Oysters, an innovative...

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the state of Oregon has introduce legislation that would bring a halt to Mega-Dairies. Appalachia is offering incentives to help build new farms. Checks are going out to the Milk Powder settlement. There's also disturbing news that farmers and farm workers are not signing up for COVID Vaccinations, due to lack of internet on many farms. Next, we meet Dr. Talia Young of Fishadelphia. www.fishadelphia.com...

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that 70% of farms a going to great efforts to adhere to COVID guidelines. It's also been reported that The Gates Foundation is buying land at a very rapid rate. A Farmer's Mental Health Poll shows that the Pandemic has greatly affected their Mental Health. Next, we meet Pete Scott from Fields 4 Valor. www.fieldsforvalor.org Fields 4 Valor is a nonprofit and innovative farm founded to combat the often-unseen...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfsrm.com begins with a new study that where the best and worst states to start new farms. Then, we meet American politician, educator and author Dr. Jill Lynette Long Thompson. Until 2015 she was board chair and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration, a position to which she was appointed by President Barack Obama. In her book "The Character of American Democracy Preserving Our Past, Protecting Our Future," she makes the case that...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfsrm.com begins with news about a Dairyman in Upstate New York who is the perfect model for how Doug operates his Dairy Farm. Next, we meet Joe Hayden, who is Managing Director and Owner of The Orchard Centre and Bailey’s Farm, in Ireland. Over the past 45 years of his own farming career, he has developed one of the most innovative farms in Ireland. www.theorchardcentre.ie This award winning farm which he runs with his brother...

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the FDA has just approved genetic modification to Swine production for human consumption. Doug reminds us that most of America's pork production is owned by Chinese companies. Then, good news that Christmas Tree sales are up this year. Next, we meet Suzi Spahr, Executive Director NAFDMA International Agritourism Association. https://nafdma.com/ Suzi is right at home in her position with NAFDMA as she...

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news of a poll that points out that American Adults have a very positive view of Farmers. In other Farm News, Milk prices are more erratic than ever. Next, we meet Leandra King, founder of family owned and operated Detroit Farm & Cider. www.detroitfarmandcider.com As a child growing up in a turbulent home with a mother who abused drugs, Leandra King constantly faced a paralyzing anxiety that would completely...

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that 1% of America's farmers own 70% of America's Farmland. Then, are robots taking over? 30% of America's dairy cows are milked by robots. Next, we meet Adam Chappell. His family has tended their 8,000 acre farm for four generations, but Adam was the first one to face the real possibility that his could be the last. Most parents yearn for their children to come back home, but when Adam and his brother Seth...

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with good news from some Family Pork Farmers that have actually seen their business increase during the pandemic. But, there's disappointing news that this year, Farmers are only receiving 11-cents on every consumer dollar spent on food. Next, Doug introduces us to A.yoni Jeffries and her mother Kisha Jeffries from Handèwa Farms. www.handewafarms.com Handèwa Farms is an indigenous-led farming collective that seeks to...

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Long Horn Tick, from China, is on its way to attack humans and animals. Next, we meet 5th Generation Farmer and CEO of Kannaco CBD James Garmen. www.KannacoCBD.com Jim grew up on a farm, in Kansas and attended Kansas State University. His professional career centered around health, wellness, and fitness as well as internet marketing. In an unforeseen but exciting twist of events, he managed to...

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how national food chain Panera is now indicating on their menus which items are certified Climate Friendly. Then, news about how New York State Dairy Farmers are helping boost dairy sales. Next, we meet Ryan Horawath of Sitka Salmon Shares. https://sitkasalmonshares.com Sitka Salmon Shares is a members-based organization that allows you to purchase a “share” of the harvest of a small-boat family...

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Paris Climate Agreement that President Trump backed out of, takes effect this week. Then, a damage report from last week's storms. Next, we meet Dan Erdmann - Farm Rescue Program Manager. https://farmrescue.org/ Farm Rescue's mission is to help family farms and ranches bridge crises, so they can continue as viable operations. They provide planting, haying, harvesting and livestock feeding assistance...

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that The Old Farmer's Almanac, The Farmer's Almanac and The Mother Nature Network all disagree on how severe our winter will be this year. The National Farmer's Union just conducted this year's event on Zoom. Next, we meet Christopher Vane co-founded of Little Bear Sanctuary, a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary in Punta Gorda, FL. www.littlebearsanctuary.org Christopher named the farm in honor of his late...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a report from The New York Times warning us how bad cattle are for the planet. Next, we meet Cornell University Graduate Student Morgan Irons. Morgan designed and performed a Mars agriculture experiment for her undergraduate thesis at Duke University. She also designed and patented a new model for a "quasi-closed, agroecological system" for extreme environment habitation on Earth and in space. Additionally, she...

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture news. Leas story is that this is National Farmers Week. Next, Monsanto continues its battle to keep use of Round-Up on American Farms. Chinese Killer Hornets are destroying our Honey Bees. And last, the Presidential Candidates are using every trick they can to buy Farm Votes. Then, we meet chef and owner of Bulrush restaurant in St. Louis, Rob Connoley. WWW.BulrushSTL.com Through research of family...

American Family Farmer and Host Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture News; leading off with 46-million eggs being donated to food banks by Egg Ranchers. Then, news of higher prices of hay and pumpkins, due to weather issues. Next, we meet Karin Taylor, who owns and operates the renowned animal sanctuary Mandalay Farms in Jupiter, Florida. https://www.mandalayfarms.com/ With over 250 animals it is home to a variety of furry, feathered and scaly friends including...

Doug Stephan, Host and American Family Farmer www.eastleighfarm.com begins with ag news about the latest funding bill to help get farmers through the end of the year. Next, we meet Executive Director of Land For Good, Jim Hafner. Jim has over 25 years experience in program development, outreach and research in the fields of international agriculture, community development, and public health. Land For Good is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the future of farming in New...