American Family Farmer

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) is joined by Amy Holmes of Holmesteading Farm for a conversation about modern homesteading, sustainable living, and reconnecting people with agriculture. Amy shares her journey into homesteading and explains how her farm has become a place where visitors can experience firsthand the value of growing food, carin...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) examines some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming community. The conversation takes a closer look at several important legal, legislative, and economic developments affecting family farmers across the country. The discussion begins with proposed legislation in Oregon related to animal hu...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) is joined by Jon Hegeman, an Alabama farmer, greenhouse operator, and participant in the Outstanding Farmers of America program, for a conversation about the opportunities and challenges facing today's agricultural community. Jon shares the story of his farming operation, discussing the diversity of agriculture...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) examines some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming community. The conversation takes a closer look at several of the most important issues currently affecting American agriculture and rural communities. The episode begins with an update on the spread of the screw worm and the efforts unde...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) is joined by Amy Hartshorn of Hartshorn Organic Farm for a conversation about organic agriculture, food quality, and the connection between farming and human health. Amy shares insights into the rewards and challenges of organic farming, explaining the commitment, labor, and stewardship required to produce food...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) examines some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming community. The conversation examines several of the pressing issues impacting small and family farms across the country. The conversation explores the growing threat posed by invasive species, including the spotted lantern fly and the scr...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) is joined by Rick and Josiah Bale of the Bale Kenyon Family Farm and Greenhouse in Lewis Center, Ohio, for a conversation about the evolution of a multi-generational family farming operation and the strategies that have helped it thrive. The Bales share the rich history of their family farm, discussing how they...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) examines some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming community. The conversation explores some of the most pressing issues affecting agriculture today, from the ongoing struggles of Florida’s citrus industry to broader concerns surrounding dairy farming and food policy in the United States....

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com )  welcomes Laura Brittingham of Brittingham Farms in Delaware for a conversation about the evolving realities of modern farming and the importance of preserving family agricultural traditions. Laura shares her unique path from a career in medical device sales to helping lead her family's fourth-generation farm,...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) examines some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming community. The conversation explores several important developments shaping the future of agriculture, from legislative updates to emerging threats facing farmers and livestock producers. The discussion begins with an overview of the late...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com )  welcomes Helen Raleigh of Story Hill Farm in Delaware to discuss her remarkable journey from pollinator conservation advocate to regenerative farmer and heritage cattle breeder. Helen shares how her passion for protecting pollinators led her to embrace farming practices that prioritize biodiversity, soil healt...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) examines some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming community. The conversation explores how the USDA food dollar is distributed and what that means for farmers working to earn a fair share of the consumer food dollar.  Doug also discusses recent farmer sentiment and the economic outlook a...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) shares the biggest news affecting smaller family farmers. First up, Doug explores several of the pressing issues impacting today’s agricultural community. The conversation examines how current beef import policies are affecting American cattle producers and the challenges farmers face when competing in a global marketplace. Do...

Doug introduces us to Talkers Magazine Publisher, Michael Harrison. www.talkers.com Michael is the person who encouraged Doug to start The American Family Farmer radio program and podcast. He is a fan of Family Farms, farm animals and is also associated with the rock band Gunhill Road. www.gunhillroadmusic.com Michael was invited to write and record a spoken tribute to animal life, for their lates...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) welcomes Michigan journalist Ron French of Bridge Michigan about two deeply important stories impacting farm families across the Midwest and beyond. First, Doug and Ron discuss the growing financial crisis facing farmers as skyrocketing diesel fuel and fertilizer prices squeeze already-thin margins. Drawing from Ron’s reportin...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) shares the biggest news affecting smaller family farmers, starting with the U.S. House of Representatives passing the sprawling Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (AKA The Farm Bill) by a bipartisan vote of 224–200. The multi-billion dollar, 5-year legislative package sets farm, conservation, and nutrition policies,...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) welcomes Jim Gerritsen, founder of Wood Prairie Family Farm, for a conversation about organic farming, seed integrity, and the future of America’s small family farms. Founded in 1976 in northern Maine, Wood Prairie Family Farm has become nationally recognized for its certified organic seed potatoes and decades-long commitment...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) shares the biggest news affecting smaller family farmers, starting with the Farm Bill. The House is working on another draft Farm Bill, continuing with the hold up. Additionally, the U.S. House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 8467) on April 30, 2026, with a 224-200 bipartisan vote, advancing a ne...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) welcomes Kristy Meyer of the National FFA Organization for a conversation about the future of agriculture—and the young leaders shaping it. Founded in 1928, the National FFA Organization has grown into one of the largest youth leadership groups in the country, now serving more than one million students nationwide. Meyer shares...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with facts of the Iran war, how it’s impacting agriculture, how it’s impacting your life, and how it’s impacting energy and the cost of things, specifically fertilizer. Right now, the cost of fertilizer is $700 per ton. The last time Doug bought fertilizer by the ton,...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host and American family farmer Doug Stephan welcomes Jeff Winton, Founder and Chairman of Rural Minds, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about mental health in rural America.  Drawing from his own upbringing on a dairy farm in upstate New York, Jeff shares how the unique challenges faced by farming and rural communities—like isolation, lim...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with news the USDA is seeking to raise $30 Billion dollars in borrowing limits for farmers in America needing assistance. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is urging Congress to raise the $30 billion borrowing limit of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), arguin...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan welcomes Stephen McRae, Farm Manager of Hartness Farm in Greenville, for a conversation about building community through agriculture and sustainable living. Since its launch in 2021, Hartness Farm has become a central part of the Hartness Living community—offering residents not just fresh, seasonal produce, but a deeper connection to th...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with news the Trump administration is actively scaling back federal support for solar energy on farm land and shifting focus toward traditional energy sources. Policies include ending USDA grants for solar projects on prime farmland , imposing high tariffs on imported pane...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan sits down with Nathan Vannette of Growing Green Family Farms in Anderson, South Carolina, for a conversation that goes beyond what’s on your plate and into the soil itself. Vannette shares how his farm operates on a spray-free, no-till, regenerative model that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and truly clean food. His philosophy i...