American Family Farmer

Doug Stephan
  • 4.2 (13)
  • Education
  • Updated Semiweekly

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

  1. 1d ago

    Growing Up, Not Out: How Vertical Farming Could Bring Fresh Food Closer to Home

    What if more of the produce in your grocery store could be grown just miles away instead of traveling across the country? This week on *American Family Farmer*, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) welcomes Aaron Fields of Eden Green Technology to explore how vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture could help reshape the way America grows and distributes fresh food. Aaron shares his background in agriculture and greenhouse production and explains the story behind Eden Green Technology, whose founders set out to develop a more localized approach to growing food. He breaks down how the company uses greenhouses and vertical growing systems to produce crops year-round while using significantly less land than traditional farming. Doug and Aaron also examine one of the biggest challenges in our current food system: distance. Produce can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles before reaching consumers, affecting freshness while adding complexity to the supply chain. Eden Green’s model places growing facilities near distribution centers, allowing food to move from harvest to store shelves much more quickly. They also discuss partnerships with local farmers and universities, Eden Green’s work in Texas, and the potential for controlled environment agriculture to complement traditional farming rather than replace it. It’s a conversation about innovation, decentralizing the food supply and what could happen when we start growing more of our food closer to the communities that eat it. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

  2. 1d ago

    From Screwworms to Smartphones: New Challenges Facing Rural America

    From an old agricultural threat making a troubling return to new research that could change the way farmers manage pests, this week on *American Family Farmer*, host Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) looks at a range of issues affecting farmers, families and rural communities.  Doug begins with concerns surrounding the New World screwworm and the USDA’s response, including funding aimed at prevention and efforts to expand sterile fly production—a longtime method of controlling the destructive pest. He examines questions surrounding funding, preparedness and what a potential outbreak could mean for American livestock producers. The conversation also turns to promising agricultural research involving hemp cannabinoids as natural pest deterrents. Doug speaks with horticulture expert Aaron Fields about the possibility of using compounds produced by hemp plants as alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides and what that research could eventually mean for growers. Doug also remembers the legacy of writer, farmer and rural advocate Wendell Berry and his decades of work championing family farms, local communities and agrarian values. Plus, the show takes a broader look at life beyond the farm, including growing concerns about smartphone dependence, screen time and what some researchers and health professionals describe as “digital dementia.” It’s a wide-ranging look at agriculture, innovation and the forces shaping rural America today. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

  3. Sep 9

    Beef Imports, Seed Control and the Policies Shaping American Farming

    What happens in Washington has a direct impact on America’s family farmers. This week on *American Family Farmer*, host Doug Stephan examines several developing issues affecting agriculture, from foreign beef imports and the outdated Farm Bill to seed trading and the ongoing debate over glyphosate.  Doug begins with the controversy surrounding imported beef and whether bringing in more foreign product actually lowers prices for American consumers. He also looks at consolidation within the meatpacking industry, government regulations affecting meat processing, and the challenges domestic cattle producers face in an increasingly global food system. The conversation turns to seed trading and concerns over who controls the seeds farmers rely on, along with the global nature of organic food production and questions surrounding where America’s food really comes from. Doug also examines industrial poultry farming, food safety and the political divide over glyphosate and Roundup. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

  4. Sep 9

    Farm Aid: How Music, Community and Family Farmers Come Together

    For more than 40 years, Farm Aid has been bringing farmers, musicians and communities together to shine a spotlight on the people who grow America’s food. This week on *American Family Farmer,'"  host Doug Stephan welcomes Jennifer Fahy of Farm Aid to talk about the organization’s mission, the challenges facing family farmers and how one music festival has grown into a powerful voice for rural America.   Jennifer discusses the pressures farmers are facing from outdated agricultural policies and why supporting independent family farms is about keeping individual operations in business, and about strengthening rural communities and building a more sustainable food system. She also takes listeners inside this year’s Farm Aid festival in Virginia Beach, from the artists taking the stage to the Homegrown Village, where festivalgoers can learn more about farming, food and sustainable agriculture. Jennifer explains how money raised through Farm Aid supports organizations and services working directly with farmers throughout the country. It’s a conversation about food, farming, advocacy and the unique power of music to bring people together around a shared goal: keeping family farmers on the land and good food on our tables. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

  5. Sep 2

    America’s Food Fight: Beef Imports, Industrial Chicken and What’s Really on Our Plates

    From the farm to the grocery store, government policy and industry decisions have a major impact on what Americans eat, and on the farmers who produce it.  This week, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) takes a closer look at some of the biggest issues shaping American agriculture and our food supply. Doug begins with beef, examining the debate over import tariffs and what lowering them could mean for American consumers and domestic cattle producers. He then turns to the enormous scale of industrial chicken production, raising questions about farming practices, bacterial contamination and food safety. The conversation expands into what Doug calls America’s ongoing “food fight,” where agriculture, politics, public health and powerful industry interests collide. He looks at the debate surrounding federal dietary guidelines, the growing concern over ultra-processed foods, environmental considerations and the influence of the food industry on programs like SNAP. Who ultimately decides what constitutes a healthy American diet, and how do those decisions affect the family farmers producing our food? Doug breaks down the policies, competing interests and consequences behind the headlines. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

  6. Sep 2

    From Family Farm to Cow Safaris: How Eastley Farm Turned Agritourism Into an Experience

    What happens when a traditional family farm combines agriculture, creativity and the power of social media?  Host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com)  is joined by his son Brendan for a conversation about the evolution of Eastleigh Farm and the innovative ideas helping bring a new generation of visitors, and income, to the farm. At the center of the story is Eastleigh Farm’s “cow safari,” a unique agritourism experience that gives visitors an up-close look at farm life. What started as a creative idea became a major attraction, with one Instagram video generating enough attention to sell out tickets for the entire year. Doug and Brendan discuss how social media has transformed the farm’s visibility, the changes that grew out of the COVID era, and why creating memorable experiences can help family farms develop new revenue streams beyond traditional agriculture. They also talk about what it means to run a multigenerational family operation, the different ways family members contribute, succession planning, and the importance of preserving the farm’s history while continuing to evolve. It’s a look at how storytelling, innovation and a willingness to try something different can help keep the family farm, and its legacy, growing. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

  7. Aug 27

    A Visit With the Devocki Family of Maple Valley Sugar Bush

    On this episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) visits with the Devocki family of Maple Valley Sugar Bush for a fascinating look at the tradition, science, and business of maple sugaring in Ohio. The Devockis share the history of maple production on their family farm, a tradition that dates back to the 1870s, and explain how maple sugaring has evolved through generations. They discuss the roles different family members play in the operation, the future of the farm, and what it takes to pass both knowledge and responsibility from one generation to the next. Doug and the family dig into the maple sugaring process, from determining which trees are ready to tap and knowing when the season should begin to collecting sap and turning it into finished syrup. They also explore how modern tubing systems and other advances have changed production while allowing producers to maintain the traditions behind the craft. But maple syrup is only part of the story. The Devockis explain how diversification and value-added products, including maple mustard and other specialty items, have helped expand their business and create additional opportunities in a competitive agricultural market. The conversation also examines the economics of maple production, competition among Ohio producers, and the challenges of turning a seasonal agricultural tradition into a successful family business. For farmers interested in diversification, or anyone who has ever wondered how maple syrup makes its way from tree to table, the Devocki family shares practical advice, lessons learned, and a firsthand look at keeping a generations-old farming tradition alive. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

  8. Aug 27

    Creative Ways Small Farms Are Adapting to Survive

    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) examines some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming community.  Doug takes a closer look at some of the biggest issues facing American farmers today, from the ongoing battle over the Farm Bill to rising costs, changing consumer demands, and the creative ways small farms are adapting to survive. Then, Doug breaks down the current status of the Farm Bill and the political disagreements keeping legislation tied up in Washington, including debates surrounding SNAP and other key provisions that have a direct impact on farmers and their communities. The episode also explores the rising cost of organic certification and the assistance available to help smaller producers make certification more attainable. Doug examines the growing Food Freedom Movement and how local, neighbor-to-neighbor food networks are giving farmers new ways to connect directly with consumers. From direct-to-consumer sales and online marketplaces to cooperatives and diversified farm products, small farmers across the country are finding innovative ways to navigate economic and regulatory challenges while keeping their operations viable. Along the way, Doug shares stories of resilience from farmers who are adapting to a changing agricultural landscape and finding new opportunities in organic, local, and sustainable food. It’s an informative look at the challenges facing the American family farm, and the ingenuity, determination, and community-driven solutions helping farmers continue to move forward. For more on the American Family Farmer… Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

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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
    563
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Doug Stephan
  • Show Website
    American Family Farmer

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