American Family Farmer

Doug Stephan
  • 4.2 (13)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A weekly look at trends in Family Farming and Healthy Eating.

  1. 4D AGO

    Sustainability at Scale: A California Family Farm Legacy

    This week on American Family Farmer with host Doug Stephan, we revisit an insightful conversation with Cannon Michael, President & CEO of Bowles Farming Company. Cannon is a sixth-generation California farmer overseeing more than 11,000 acres of diverse crops. Since joining the family business in 1998 after graduating from University of California, Berkeley, he has helped guide the company with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical workforce practices, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Don’t miss this compelling replay highlighting the challenges and responsibilities of managing large-scale family farmland in today’s evolving agricultural landscape. Learn more at www.bfarm.com. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    24 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Avian Flu Returns, Glyphosate Debate & Who Controls Our Food Future?

    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the latest information on the Avian flu. Yes, there is yet another outbreak.  Then, Doug dives into the relationship between glyphosate herbicides and the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement is a subject of significant controversy and internal conflict within the MAHA coalition, particularly following a recent Trump administration executive order that prioritized domestic production of the chemical. Lastly, Doug looks at dietary guidelines, and how it changes every few years on what is deemed healthy. Farmers, however, know that nutrition starts on the farm. Enhancing the focus of supporting local farmers and shopping at farmers markets if not the farms themselves.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    19 min

  3. FEB 25

    Organic Fertilizer From the Sea With Ann Molloy of Neptune’s Harvest

    On this week’s episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes Ann Molloy, co-owner and Director of Sales & Marketing for Neptune’s Harvest, based in Gloucester. A member of a fifth-generation Gloucester fishing family, Ann shares how her family’s historic roots in New England’s seafood industry evolved into a nationally recognized organic fertilizer company. What began in the 1980s as a responsible solution for unused fish byproducts has grown into a thriving business dedicated to soil health and sustainable agriculture. By transforming fish remains and seaweed into nutrient-rich fertilizers through a specialized cold-processing method, Neptune’s Harvest preserves natural enzymes, oils, and micronutrients that support long-term soil vitality. Ann discusses the importance of environmental stewardship, resource conservation, and regenerative farming practices. She explains how fish- and seaweed-based fertilizers improve soil biology, enhance microbial life, and provide balanced plant nutrition—offering farmers and gardeners an alternative to short-term synthetic inputs. From coastal fishing heritage to modern agricultural innovation, this conversation highlights how family enterprise, sustainability, and responsible use of natural resources can work together to support the future of American farming. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    20 min

  4. FEB 25

    Farming Politics, the Screwworm, and Excellence

    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with political news taking over agricultural news as politics make up a lot of what is affecting American family farmers. For instance, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a legal dispute that could reshape how agricultural companies handle labeling and liability.  In other farming and ag news, the price of fertilizer is going up, the latest update of the New World Screwworm, an the search for a National animal disease response plan. A comprehensive plan will call for stronger Federal coordination to combat growing animal health threats that are coming into our country from other countries.  Lastly, Doug opines a new book titled The Way of Excellence, written by Brad Stulberg. The book redefines excellence as a consistent, value-aligned, and long-term process. It focuses on sustainable, "grounded" growth—showing up daily, managing energy over time, and finding deep satisfaction in the process rather than external validation. The principles in book are deeply aligned with farming, treating the profession as a marathon rather than a sprint. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    19 min

  5. FEB 18

    The Business of Healing: Sustainability, Transparency, and Family Farming

    On this episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes Jodi Scott, co-founder of Green Goo, CEO of Spry Life, and a dedicated hobby farmer in Lyons, Colorado. Jodi shares her journey bridging science, psychology, and traditional herbal medicine, from pre-med studies and work supporting underserved patients to building a family business rooted in the healing power of plants. What began as handcrafted herbal remedies made on the family farm has grown into a nationally recognized, women-led, B Corp-certified brand carried by major retailers—while still staying true to its original mission of natural, effective first aid and personal care. Jodi also discusses the realities of scaling a family farm into an FDA-regulated business, sourcing high-quality herbs from trusted growers worldwide, and maintaining sustainability through recyclable packaging and plant-based formulations. She reflects on the Scott family’s pivotal decision to buy back the company in late 2025, returning leadership, restoring original formulas, and recommitting to transparency, community, and environmental stewardship. Along the way, listeners get a glimpse into daily life on the farm, tending animals, starting seeds for Colorado’s short growing season, and keeping the land at the heart of the business. This conversation highlights resilience, responsible growth, and the enduring connection between agriculture, wellness, and family enterprise. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    20 min

  6. FEB 18

    Deadly Pesticides

    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the reality of news mixed with opinion and deciphering where to get the truth.  Doug dives into realities of certain pesticides on the farm, twice banned and now reapproved. The ones that have caused a number of farmers to die who had used those products. The products also raised concerns of the drift and how it spreads to poisoning other farms, poisoning home gardens, poisoning other trees and plants.  The next item of interest in the farm & ag news department has to do with Argentinian beef, and how it’s hurting American cattle farmers. The idea behind a push for the imported beef was to help people buy beef at lower prices. The costs of buying American beef is correlated to the cost of raising and processing the beef. American farmers barely make any money on what they do sell, but the cost of being a functioning farm is what is driving prices.  Then, Doug shifts focus from news to his opine segment, starting with the rhetorical question of what is keeping you up at night. Items such as the depressed grain prices, high cost of machinery, dissatisfaction with federal leadership in ag policy come to mind.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    18 min

  7. FEB 11

    Inside Stone Barns: Regenerative Farming at the Highest Level

    This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan sits down with Jack Algiere, Director of Agroecology at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in New York’s Hudson Valley. Jack has been actively farming for more than two decades and was Stone Barns’ very first official employee back in 2004. Since then, he’s helped build one of the country’s most innovative four-season regenerative farming operations—bringing together multi-species grass-fed livestock, grains and field crops, greenhouse production, orchards, flowers, composting systems, and even wild landscape stewardship under one integrated approach. In this conversation, Jack shares what it really takes to run a holistic farm system that supports biodiversity, soil health, animal welfare, and long-term resilience—while also serving as a training ground for young farmers, chefs, and changemakers. Doug and Jack also explore how Stone Barns is working with partners like the Rockefeller State Park Preserve to manage hundreds of acres of public land through rotational grazing and ecological monitoring. From cover crops and seed trials to composting, conservation planning, and the future of sustainable farming, this episode is packed with real-world insight from someone doing the work at the highest level—every single day. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    20 min

  8. FEB 11

    Tax Deductions, Ticks, and Wolves: What Family Farmers Need to Know

    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with tax deductions farmers can use before filing. There are ways of deducting land, and how much depending on renting vs ownership and if you live on the land or not. If you’re a livestock producer, feed is a sizable write off and crop farmers can write off seeds and seedlings. Equipment repairs and depreciation can also be deductibles, along with fencing and whatever other farming equipment you have.  Then, focus shifts to the Asian Longhorn Tick, a major threat to U.S. farmers because it reproduces rapidly without mating, forming massive infestations that cause severe stress, blood loss, and death in livestock.  Lastly, Doug addresses the California push to save the wolves, but the success has caused chaos for farmers and ranchers in Northern California. The return of gray wolves to California after a century-long absence has brought serious challenges. While many—especially in urban areas—celebrated the wolves’ comeback as a conservation win, the growing population, now estimated at roughly 50 to 70 animals, has led to increasing and sometimes devastating livestock losses that threaten ranchers’ livelihoods. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    19 min
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4.2
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

A weekly look at trends in Family Farming and Healthy Eating.

Information

  • Creator
    Doug Stephan
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    506
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Doug Stephan
  • Show Website
    American Family Farmer