American Family Farmer

Doug Stephan
  • 4.2 (13)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
American Family Farmer

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

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    AFF Podcast - Greg Burtt_100924

    10/9/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including: the bird flu and the USDA’s update of a vaccine for dairy cows. Then, Doug introduces us to Greg Burtt or Burtt’s Apple Orchard (burttsappleorchard.com), for a discussion on the 6-acre family farm. The farm had been a dairy and maple farm for many years, until Greg and his parents felt like trying something different - apples seemed like a good idea. They opened for picking in 2009 with a few acres of young trees and sold all their apples in just two weeks. That meant it was time to plant more. Now, apple picking at their orchard has become a tradition for many families in the area. Plus an acidity vs alkalinity of soil, and Doug opines that the Farm Service Agency is good at helping family-owned farms while most federal agencies don’t seem to care, how dairy cattle are being affected by the bird flu and whether or not it’s transferring into milk. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    35 min

  2. OCT 2

    When Hobby Farming Goes to Sheep

    10/2/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including: the farm bill, overall food security, an AI-created “perfect” farm bill, the deadline to pass a new budget for next year approaches, and the House sweeps aside objections to pass a bill to restrict the purchase of agricultural land by people from certain countries. Then, Doug introduces us to Bill MacCauley of MacCauley Suffolks (maccauleysheep.com), a sheep farm in Atglen, Pennsylvania. Bill is an example of when a hobby farmer takes it further and creates quite the business model. He and his wife, Betsy, never dreamed of maintaining a flock of approximately 325 Suffolk brood ewes and about 100 crossbred ewes when they started out, but here they are — and loving it. Their two sons raise and show sheep, too. Their ewes have been selected based on structural soundness, muscle expression, mothering and milking ability and longevity. All the ewes are kept on pasture alone from April through November – who doesn’t love easy keeping. Plus, Doug opines life on the farm, the business of how products grown/produced on the farm are priced, how they get to market, and how the capitalistic society is affecting small farmers.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    37 min

  3. SEP 25

    Jammin' with Berries Gets Spicy

    9/25/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to  Bruce Surprenant of Surprenant’s Berry Farm (surprenantsberryfarm.com), specializing in turning his berries into value-added products of jams and jellies. Bruce’s farm makes more than 150 products using his own berries and other products from farms, made in the licensed food processing kitchen in the farmhouse that’s been in his wife’s family since 1904. Bruce started his farming journey in the summer of 1962, but that was also the same time his mom taught him about cooking. Sometimes we believe our path is set, only to find we must pivot and discover something better. Bruce shares the incredible story of his farm.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    17 min

  4. SEP 18

    Why is Raw Milk Illegal?

    9/18/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Paul Stecker from Maple Lane Farm (MapleLaneFarmVT.com). As a family-owned farm, they’re dedicated to providing nourishment while cultivating nutritious food and supporting strong food systems by promoting sustainable farming practices. The discussion covers hurdles of selling raw milk (which includes the continuous flow of misinformation), the pride of being a family farm, and the benefit of pure maple syrup. Maple Lane Farm is owned by Kristine and Paul Stecker, located in Cabot, Vermont, and continues a dedication of preserving the land while offering a wide range of farm products. Paul believes that diversity is key to surviving market fluctuations and protecting their land. Maple Lane Farm now proudly showcases British White cattle, raw milk from organic A1A2 Jerseys, pure maple products, and more.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    17 min

  5. SEP 11

    What Is the Weather?

    9/11/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Kyle Elliot; Director, Weather Information Center at Millersville University (millersville.edu). With a B.S. in Meteorology from Millersville University and an M.S. in Meteorology from Penn State University, Kyle previously worked at AccuWeathe as an operational forecaster before joining MIllersville Meteorology. His primary focus is on weather analysis, media meteorology and the development of internet-based weather resources. Together, Doug and Kyle discuss what goes into a weather forecast, the tools of a meteorologist, and upcoming weather predictions. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com  Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    18 min

  6. SEP 4

    Why Organic Wild Blueberries Are the Best

    9/4/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to a family farm inspired by a sunset. Ashley and Jesse Fields of Fields Fields Blueberries (fieldsfieldsblueberries.com) are successful second generation family farmers, growing organic wild blueberries, in Maine. They farm while keeping the berries and their surroundings in their most natural state. The farm was started by Eliot Field, a sunset chaser who timed his drive home from work to see the sun setting over Blinn Hill. Eliot decided to see if the landowner was willing to sell the property (she was), which came with the added bonus of a wild blueberry field. Together with Doug, Ashley and Jesse discuss the amazing benefits of blueberries, how Fields Fields Blueberries offers them year round, and why we shouldn’t be sleeping on blueberry leaves either.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    18 min

  7. AUG 28

    Is There Money in Trees?

    8/28/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Rocky Goodnow with Forest Economic Advisors (FEA). As the Vice President of Timber, Rocky leads the development of FEA’s timber econometric models, which are used in the analysis of future demand on wood fiber resources, regional timber supplies and timber values. Headquartered in Littleton, MA (with offices globally), FEA was formed when it was recognized that there was a need in the industry for impartial, exhaustive analysis, accessible data and customized consulting. FEA markets knowledge and data through analytical products that cover the forest product industry. These include Monthly Advisors and newsletters for near-term analysis, the Quarterly Forecasting Service for a longer-term outlook and an extensive historical database, as well as the industry's only comprehensive, up-to-date, mill-level capacity reports, categorized by sector. Anyone with a lot of land could learn from this lucrative business. Learn more on getFEA.com.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmer.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    20 min

  8. AUG 21

    Grass You Don't Have to Mow... As Often

    8/21/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Jackson Madnick, inventor and CEO of Pearl’s Premium Ultra Low Maintenance Lawn Seed, a company inspired and named after Jackson’s mom. What sets Pearl’s Premium apart from other lawn seeds is that, rather than mowing on a weekly basis, the grass doesn’t need mowed for 4-6 weeks. Chemical-free and a solution that’s eco-friendly, this is a sustainable, non-GMO option for family farmers, hobby farmers, agrihoods and anyone with a lawn. You can learn more on PearlsPremium.com.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

    18 min
See All (397)

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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    397
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Doug Stephan
  • Show Website
    American Family Farmer

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