American Family Farmer Podcast Por Doug Stephan arte de portada

American Family Farmer

American Family Farmer

De: Doug Stephan
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A weekly look at trends in Family Farming and Healthy Eating.Copyright Doug Stephan Economía Gestión Gestión y Liderazgo
Episodios
  • From Grief to Growth

    From Grief to Growth
    Jan 14 2026
    This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan visits with Liz Fiedler Mergen, founder of Sunny Mary Meadow, a cut flower farm rooted on a sixth-generation family farm in Stearns County, Minnesota.

    Sunny Mary Meadow is more than a flower farm—it’s a living example of how agriculture can thrive through diversification, agritourism, and human connection. Liz shares how the farm offers flower subscriptions, workshops, YouPick events, a self-serve farm stand, and serves as a picturesque photography venue, all while keeping agricultural land productive and meaningful for future generations.

    Liz recounts the deeply personal story behind the farm’s beginnings. After purchasing her late husband Josh’s family farm in 2016, the couple dreamed of raising their family there and finding their place in agriculture. During the isolation of 2020, Liz began selling bouquets from a roadside stand—donating over 200 bouquets to local nursing homes in honor of her grandmother. That simple act of kindness planted the seed for what Sunny Mary Meadow would become.

    Tragedy struck in December 2020 when Josh passed away unexpectedly, and Liz discovered she was pregnant with their second child the day after his funeral. Named in memory of Josh’s mother, Sunny Mary Meadow continues to bloom as a tribute to love, resilience, and the dreams Liz and Josh once shared.

    Now remarried and raising her daughters on the same land Josh hoped they’d grow up on, Liz talks with Doug about the evolution of the farm, the power of agritourism, and how flowers became both a livelihood and a lifeline.

    In addition to farming, Liz is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and storyteller. She also previews her upcoming memoir, Flowers Bloom Anyway: Rebuilding a Life You Didn’t Choose, releasing March 3, 2026—a powerful reflection on grief, resilience, and choosing to move forward with intention.

    Learn more about the farm at sunnymarymeadow.com, and discover Liz’s story and book at lizfiedlermergen.com, or pre-order at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-anyway-a-memoir-liz-fiedler-mergen/1148638651?ean=9781636989273


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    20 m
  • Screwworm 2026

    Screwworm 2026
    Jan 14 2026
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the latest on the screwworm threatening the cattle industry.

    Three of the top USDA experts have been sharing updates on where the screwworm has taken place and urging farmers to pay attention with an all hands on deck approach to handle this situation, with boots not he ground monitoring the boarder has the screwworm has not crossed over from Mexico, yet.

    Then, Doug shares his rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas” in a farming twist with his own “12 Days of Farming.” The beginngin of a new year is a great time for reflection and looking at the future.

    Doug is considering going back to milking cows on his farm because there is a need for it in his community. Doug’s Eastliegh Farm was a dairy farm for many years before turning focus to a cow sanctuary.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    17 m
  • When Doug Becomes the Guest, Hosted By Mike McVay

    When Doug Becomes the Guest, Hosted By Mike McVay
    Jan 12 2026
    This week on The American Family Farmer, the tables were turned as longtime host Doug Stephan stepped into the guest seat to share the story of his beloved Eastleigh Farm in Framingham, Massachusetts. Joining him as interviewer was his close friend and Radio Hall of Fame inductee Mike McVay of McVay Media, creating a warm, insightful conversation rooted in friendship, farming, and preservation.

    Doug reflected on his lifelong connection to agriculture, tracing his love of farming back to his childhood growing up in the neighborhood surrounding Eastleigh Farm. He shared how those early experiences shaped not only his personal values but also his commitment to preserving farmland at a time when open space across New England has increasingly been lost to development.

    The conversation explored the rich and fascinating history of Eastleigh Farm, which spans more than a century and sits on land farmed for over 250 years. From its early 1900s origins and unique ties to the Beebe family, to its later preservation as protected open space, Eastleigh Farm has continually evolved while remaining a cornerstone of the Framingham community. Doug discussed his 2002 decision to purchase the property to prevent development and ensure agriculture could continue on the land he loved.

    We also learn about the farm’s modern transformation—from a traditional dairy operation to a cow sanctuary and educational farm. Doug explained the difficult decision to step away from raw milk production and how that pivotal moment led him to “think outside the box” to keep the farm viable. Today, Eastleigh Farm is a vibrant animal sanctuary and community destination, featuring artisan shops, family events, historic barns, and seasonal favorites like the iconic Moo Bus ice cream.

    Mike and Doug wrapped up the episode by discussing the realities of day-to-day life on the farm, from the intensity of peak season to the quieter rhythms of the off-season, and the year-round care required for cows and other animals. At its heart, this episode is a story about stewardship—of land, history, animals, and community—and a powerful reminder of why family farms matter now more than ever. To learn more about Doug Stephan, Eastleigh Farm, and The American Family Farmer, visit dougstephan.com/americanfamilyfarmer.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    26 m
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