American Family Farmer

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares why he created the American Family Farmer program before jumping into the news affecting family farmers, beginning with the federal government shut down creating disruption for farmers everywhere as the USDA service centers are closed, risk management and conservation programs are shut off, and farmers and their dependance...

This week on the American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan sits down with Dave and Amy Hartshorn, the powerhouse duo behind Hartshorn Farm, a certified organic farm nestled in Waitsfield, Vermont. For over three decades, Dave and Amy have been cultivating not only some of the state’s finest organic produce and maple syrup, but also a thriving community around sustainability, education, and mindful...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares why he created the American Family Farmer program before jumping into the news affecting family farmers, beginning with a new program that would support wood-processing facilities, providing funding for the new Timber Production Expansion Program. This is a loan program that would support the utilization of wood-products fr...

This week on The American Family Farmer , we’re taking you to Ottawa Lake, Michigan, where family tradition and community spirit come alive at Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm. Owner and farmer Nate Gust joins us to share the story of how his family’s 1/4-acre pumpkin patch has grown into a beloved fall destination in the greater Toledo area. From you-pick pumpkin patches and colorful mums to hayrides,...

Doug welcomes Julia Barton, a passionate organic grower and the driving force behind Octagon Acres and Northridge Blueberries & Chestnuts in Conneaut, Ohio. Julia and her family raise heritage Soay and American Jacob sheep, grow certified-organic vegetables and seedlings, and invite visitors to experience pick-your-own blueberries and chestnuts along the beautiful Lake Erie shoreline. Beyond h...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares why he created the American Family Farmer program before jumping into the news affecting family farmers, beginning with the news that farmers and the Autumn harvest are worried about low crop prices, the trade wars and what tariffs are doing to their livelihood. It’s lead to a lot of farm-state law makers are putting pressu...

Step onto Connecticut’s only veteran-owned dairy farm, where every drop of milk is lightly processed, vat-pasteurized, and bottled right on the property. Guardians Farm in scenic Southbury is the passion project of David Buck, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Enforcement Specialist and former K9 officer, and his wife Tamra French, an active K9 officer. Together, they’re first-generation dairy f...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares why he created the American Family Farmer program before jumping into the news affecting family farmers, beginning with the news of prices for dairy going down, while production has surged, and cheese exports are on the rise. Then, Doug goes over the numbers of who owns what farms — family farms comprise 95% of all U.S. far...

Meet Grant Guidroz, one half of the husband-and-wife team behind FullnessFarm.com , a thriving organic farm in the heart of Baton Rouge. Since 2015, they’ve been on a mission to grow nutrient-dense vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers—without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides—and share the harvest through their popular CSA and the Red Stick Farmers Market.  In this episode of Ameri...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares why he created the American Family Farmer program before jumping into the news affecting family farmers, beginning with the news the USDA will no longer use tax payer dollars to fund solar panels on productive farm land, the need to support farmers and protect the food supply, and the latest updates on the Big Beautiful Bil...

This week, Doug Stephan ( EastleighFarm.com ) welcomes Andrew Mickelson, sixth-generation Idaho farmer and Chief Technology Officer at Mickelsen Farms ( MickelsenFarms.com ), one of the region’s largest potato producers. The Mickelsen family has been growing potatoes and grains for generations, building a legacy rooted in hard work, innovation, and community. Andrew shares insights into the family...

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares why he created the American Family Farmer program before jumping into the news affecting family farmers, beginning with a story from Florida and how farmers are plowing over perfectly good tomatoes as the tariff policies are costing prices to go down.  The latest on how the I.C.E. raids are affecting small farmers. Then, th...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) welcomes Svitlana “Lana” Synkovska, Portfolio Director of  Women in Agribusiness (WIA):  http://womeninag.com. They discuss: 👩‍🌾 How Women in Agribusiness is empowering women across the agriculture and food sectors 🌍 The growth of the WIA community — from 200 attendees in 2012 to over 1,000 in 2024 🤝 Networ...

On this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) shares why he created the program and why supporting family farms matters more than ever. He covers: 🏡 Brooke Rollins’ plans for rural development funds and how they’ll impact farmers 📜 The “Big Beautiful Bill” and key highlights that affect agriculture 🌽 Rising corn prices and what that means for farmers 🚫...

For 40 years, Farm Aid has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with family farmers, ensuring they can stay on their land and thrive despite corporate pressures, bad policies, and climate challenges. In this episode of American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan welcomes Jennifer Fahy, Co-Executive Director and longtime Communications Director of Farm Aid. Jennifer shares how Farm Aid began as a one-day bene...

In this episode of American Family Farmer , host and farmer Doug Stephan of Eastleigh Farm shares why he created this program — to give voice to the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of America’s family farmers. Doug dives into the latest news shaping agriculture, including: 🌱 The One Big Beautiful Bill , with key estate planning and tax changes 🌱 Shifts in health policy taking a softer approa...

This week on American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan ( EastleighFarm.com ) welcomes Jared Zystro, Research & Education Director of the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA). For more than two decades, OSA has worked to put the power of seed back into the hands of growers through research, education, advocacy, and community-building. Jared shares how OSA is confronting the challenges of seed industry...

This week on American Family Farmer , host and farmer Doug Stephan ( www.eastleighfarm.com ) shares the latest news impacting small farmers across the U.S. Doug breaks down the “ Big Beautiful Bill ,” being called Farm Bill 2.0 , which includes: Higher statutory references for all commodity program crops 🌾 Increased agricultural spending 💵 More affordable crop insurance 🌱 Expanded foreign marke...

This week, Doug Stephan talks with Janelle Maiocco , Founder and CEO of Barn2Door (Barn2Door.com) — the all-in-one software platform helping independent farmers sell directly to local customers. From streamlining online and in-person sales to simplifying marketing and farm management, Barn2Door empowers farmers to keep more profit, save time, and connect with buyers anytime, anywhere. Janelle shar...

Doug Stephan — veteran broadcaster and proud dairy farmer (EastleighFarm.com) — breaks down the week’s top stories impacting family farms across the country.  This week: Why the term “crisis” may be overused in U.S. agriculture. The USDA’s reorganization plan and what it means for farmers. How the Big Beautiful Bill could affect depreciation and capital gains taxes for farmers selling to other qua...

This week, Doug tackles a mix of hot-button issues impacting family farmers across the U.S., offering insight only a hands-on farmer can provide. 🧠 Episode Highlights: 🚜 The “Immigration Highway” Crisis Doug unpacks the growing confusion and legal challenges facing agricultural employers navigating immigration. He shares the tragic story of a multigenerational cherry farm forced to shut down due...

Guest: Ed Maltby, Executive Director Organization: Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) 📍 Deerfield, MA Topic: 🐄 Organic Dairy & Advocacy in Washington, DC This week, host Doug Stephan welcomes Ed Maltby , Executive Director of NODPA — the largest grassroots organization representing organic dairy producers in the Northeast. With over two decades of leadership in the organic da...

On this week’s American Family Farmer , Doug Stephan takes on some of the week’s biggest agricultural stories. He begins with Brooke Rollins' surprising success at the USDA despite her lack of ag experience, especially in supporting disaster-hit farmers. Doug also dives into new findings on the dangers of ultra-processed foods vs. traditional whole grains and whole milk. Corn season is underway —...

This week on The American Family Farmer , Doug Stephan welcomes Tyler Hawk of Hawk Farms in Kansas, Ohio. Though Tyler now lives in California, he still travels home to work the family’s 230-acre soybean and corn farm. Tyler shares the story of a beloved family heirloom — a 1947 Farmall M tractor restored after sitting in pieces during his childhood. Now serving as Executive Director at an assiste...

This week on The American Family Farmer , host Doug Stephan welcomes Warren Eckstein, Pet Behaviorst and Host of The Pet Show .  The discussion starts off dispelling the false concept that animals don’t share many of the emotions humans have, but also the beautiful friendship and comradely we have with our animal friends and animal family members.  When summer temperatures soar, it’s not just huma...