Episodios

  • Crop Yields and the Weather

    Crop Yields and the Weather
    Apr 30 2025
    Wednesday, April 30 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the Trade War and how its escalation is affecting the struggling farm economy with tariffs coming into focus, the nations responding with tariffs of their own, and what the American Farm Bureau says about it. Doug also discusses the current administration’s primary focus addressing the economy — like the restrictions on immigration — and the stall with China on a trader resolution. Then, Doug introduces us to Brad Rippey, Agricultural Meteorologist with the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist, for a conversation on weather assessments ad real-time yield intelligence for farming conditions. Brad is a member of the authorship team for the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor and the monthly North American Drought Monitor. Doug and Brad also discuss more about the USDA and the future amidst federal budget cuts, the benefit of the weather as it applies to livestock farming in addition to crops, and the overall impact on the soil. Lastly, Doug opines stability of farming, a difference in success of generational farming vs those who are just starting out, and addressing confusion and misunderstanding on the business side of farming and living on the farm.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    36 m
  • How to Cut Off-Book Costs

    How to Cut Off-Book Costs
    Apr 23 2025
    Wednesday, April 23 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the trade war and the cost of new vs pre-owned equipment, a rise in importing eggs amid the continuation of the avian flu, and economic assistance payments. Then, Doug introduces us to Rachel Hopkins, an Ag Business Field Specialist with University of Missouri Extension, who has a long background in farming as she was raised on a multi-generation dairy farm. Doug and Rachel discuss the hardship family farmers are facing, where money is being hemorrhaged, and delving into the family finance aspect and where to “tighten the belt” and stop “keeping up with the Jones’s.” Today’s financial climate is causing farmers to make hard cuts to farm budgets, but Hopkins says they should not overlook household expenses. As a family farmer and mom, Rachel knows first hand the added stress of off-budget costs, especially when $20-$30 here or there multiple times quickly add up. Lastly, Doug opines the importance of female farmers, financial success in farmings, and modern farming via the AI influence.


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    35 m
  • Why Eat More Beans

    Why Eat More Beans
    Apr 16 2025
    Wednesday, April 16 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on President Trump’s tariffs and how farmers will be affected one way or the other, what Ag economists are encouraging farmers to do, and how you can protect your family farm. Next, we meet Lesley Sykes, founder and CEO of Primary Beans. www.primarybeans.com Primary Beans is a direct-to consumer online dried bean company offering an array of single-origin beans from recent harvests, sourced across North America from climate-conscious farm partners. They believe that beans as the perfect food from a nutritional, culinary and planetary perspective. Lesley and her sister, Renee, are fifth-generation Arizonans from a small town on the Mexican border. Like any border town kids, we grew up around the culture and flavors of Northern Mexico. Early on, we developed a deep appreciation for beans and were the kids asking for “no rice, only beans please” at our favorite local restaurant. The sisters created Primary Beans to share their obsession with beans, and to shed light on the incredible farming communities they come from. To them, sitting down with a homemade bowl of beans is a chance to deepen society’s connection to the food we eat, even (especially) on the busiest of days. With over a dozen varieties and counting, it’s just the beginning of bringing the most flavorful beans they can find to your home kitchen. Wrapping it all up, Farmer Doug opines what else is helping farmers, keeping farm families and visitors, especially children, safe on the farm.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    34 m
  • Shifting the Farm Focus to Agri-Tourism

    Shifting the Farm Focus to Agri-Tourism
    Apr 9 2025
    Wednesday, April 9 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the dire honeybee situation with the population dwindling and how it’s affecting other produce and areas in agriculture, and what beekeepers are suggesting others can do to help. Then, Doug breaks down what the tariffs could mean for farmers and how much the US has exported to other countries and why the trade balance isn’t there, and the financial toll faced by the freezing of approved farm programs. Next, we’re introduced to Chadam Christensen, a 5th generation farmer from Flamig Farm in West Simsbury, CT. Flamig farm began in 1907, and continues today with Chadam’s parents, Nevin and Julie, at the helm. During it's 100 plus years, the farm has gone from a 12 cow dairy, to a few thousand chickens for egg production and through a time of growing 10 acres of organic vegetables. They once had 3 teams of draft horses and did a lot of hayrides, as well as carriage rides for weddings. The mission of Flamig Farm is to be the premier demonstration and education center in New England, focusing on local food production, energy conservation and efficient energy production, and personal wellness and nutrition. They’ve shifted into an agritourism business with their primary income being with their petting zoo, but also have haunted walkthroughs, host birthday parties and weddings, farm stays, they have chickens with a good amount of eggs, and even offer Animal Reiki. You can learn more about Flamig Farm on Flamigfarm.com. Lastly, Doug opines conversations many farmers are having, like how farmers can protect our farm and, what should congress and the local politicians be focused on, and a new planting season.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    36 m
  • Corn Maze Amazed

    Corn Maze Amazed
    Apr 2 2025
    Wednesday, April 2 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on what’s going on with our federal government and some of the programs that’ve been important for American farmers, Bayer and Monsanto fight to take away Americans’ right to know about pesticide toxicity and take away the right to sue these companies for failure to warn consumers, a push to cut down the price of eggs amid continued avian influenza concerns, and consumers swapping hen eggs for turkey eggs. Then, Doug introduces us to Jim Lowe, the owner of Lowe Family Farmstead in Kuna, ID. Lowe Family Farmstead is Idaho's most popular fall destination with their biggest time of year being the fall. They hav u-pick pumpkin options, an acclaimed corn-maze, raising beef and other livestock, too. Other options for guests, include an authentic tractor-drawn hayride, wandering through their beautiful flower field, enjoying some farm-fresh food, and of course, and more. Jim grew up farming and ranching but didn’t have a generational family farm to grow with his family. A common discussion on the American Family Farmer program is the difficulty first generation farmers face without an inheritance of land, making it nearly impossible to become a farmer. Jim has a degree in Ag Business, so the idea of agritourism appealed as a niche market that could overcome the obstacles of traditional agriculture, which he and his wife, Hillary, moved forward with the efforts. Years later, they have their Lowe Family Farmstead, offering a creative twist on agriculture that taps into the heart of Idaho. You can find more information, and plan your own visit, on LoweFamilyFarmstead.com. Lastly, Doug shares his final thoughts and opinions on the privilege it truly is to be a farmer, why family farming is such a tough business, reflecting on what farming is really all about, and why it’s a calling.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    35 m
  • Tax Help For Farmers

    Tax Help For Farmers
    Mar 26 2025
    Wednesday, March 26 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the Trump Administration and the freeze on previously approved farm projects and the financial toll it is taking on farmers, farm groups, farm states, farm industries, and why many in farming and agriculture are not happy. Next up, the bird flu continues to spread, exactly how long the avian influenza has really been around prior to the most recent outbreak, and how it’s affecting the dairy industry in addition to the poultry and egg industry. Then, Doug introduces us to Bryan Ravencraft, a CPA with Holbrook and Manter in Ohio. Bryan discusses his work in accounting services for agriculture businesses and why being proactive is the best effort for his clients to plan for potential challenges and address their future plans for their farm and ag business. Bryan also helps his clients’ agri-businesses grow by making the best decisions that benefit individual farms and ag businesses. Brian has worked with Holbrook and Mantr since 1995, primarily focusing on the areas of tax consulting and advisory services within several industries in farming and ag - agribusiness, construction, manufacturing, non-profit, professional services, real estate and closely held businesses and their owners. Lastly, Doug opines what farms with flocks, or backyard chickens, can do to be proactive in battling against the risk of infection from the avian flu.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    37 m
  • Are Potbellied Pigs Good Pets?

    Are Potbellied Pigs Good Pets?
    Mar 19 2025
    Wednesday, March 19 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the guidance on the Avian Flu and what agencies around the country are advising, including blood tests on chickens and cows, Cornell University is help with a resource center, the possibility of a vaccines for poultry and bovine, and a focus on the trade war and how it’s affecting American agriculture. Next, Doug introduces us to Susan Magidson, owner of Ross Mill Farm in Pennsylvania. Ross Mill Farm is a pig sanctuary and helps pot bellied pigs find their forever homes. They’re a multi-service facility dedicated to the potbellied pig as a household companion pet, and have been recognized nationally for their training and development programs, the Farm’s techniques, services, and products have become the standard for quality and excellence in the care of this unique breed type. If you’re interested in bringing a potbelly pig into your family, you can get started on learning the information you need to know, including caring for and proper nutrition, by visiting RossMillFarm.com for more information. Lastly, Farmer Doug opines the success of frost-seeding (AKA snow-seeding) and how to do it properly.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    37 m
  • Turning Food Waste Into Energy On the Farm

    Turning Food Waste Into Energy On the Farm
    Mar 12 2025
    Wednesday, March 12 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the new administration, including Brooke Rollins, the diversity in new farmers and why it’s difficult to become a 1st generation farmer in today’s society, discussions in Congress of a new Farm Bill, the continuously rising cost of eggs, and the new news on cattle markets with prices going up. Next, Doug introduces us to Brett Reinford of Reinford Farms, located in the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania (ReinfordFarms.com). Dairy farming has been the livelihood of Reinford Farms for several generations, but then they stumbled upon the idea of recycling food waste in an effort to be more sustainable and turn it into energy. It started with turning the cow manure on the farm into energy, and then they made an investment in an anaerobic digester where they provide a sustainable solution to the massive food waste problem in our country. Lastly, Farmer Doug opines what farmers could be doing on their own farms (and what he could be doing on his own farm) to make the farm more viable, more accessible and top-of-mind for members of the community. What added value can you incorporate into your business model on your farm?

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