American Family Farmer

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Dave Fleming of Shady Brook Farm. www.shadybrookfarm.com In 1913 Shady Brook started as a produce stand off the back of a truck by T. Herman Fleming. The farm expanded to 40 acres, growing crops that were delivered to wholesale markets and grocery stores in the Philadelphia area. In 1984, Shady Brook opened its first retail market with pick-your-own strawberries. In 1990 the market expanded from a produce stand into a barn that was moved from a neighboring farm. Seasonal events andfield trips were added in the early 1990’s. Over the next few decades, and under the management of the 4th generation of Flemings, Shady Brook Farm continued to grow into a large farm market complete with full service deli, homemade ice cream department (run by Uncle Dave’s Homemade IceCream), garden center and pub; and has become a hub for top notch seasonal events.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertisin

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Phillip Ranney, of Billings Farms & Museum. https://billingsfarm.org Owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation, Inc., a non-profit educational institution founded by Laurance and Mary Rockefeller in 1968, Billings Farm & Museum was established in 1983 to preserve the historic Billings Farm as well as the character and heritage of rural Vermont. Billings Farm offers diverse, interactive programs that focus on rural life, work, and land stewardship as reflected in the traditions and values of 19th century farm families. The Foundation also owns the Woodstock Inn & Resort, a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Tom and Martha Brikman who own and operate Cool Cow Cheese and Farmstead Bed and Breakfast. www.coolcowcheese.com Martha & Tom’s Farm, LLC, is a family-owned and operated in Owensville, Missouri, since 2012. Their cows are pampered in every way and that is why they call them "Cool Cows." The B&B offers five room choices in the 3,000 sq foot barn, where you get to help with the cheese-making process.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Joe Gill, Farm Director at KASM Radio, in Albany, MN. http://www.mykasm.com/joe-gill/ Joe has been with KASM since 1999. Joe is the current Farm Director and Traffic Manager, and is a member of many Minnesota agricultural organizations. As Farm Director, he covers local, statewide and nationwide agricultural events and conferences. He's also a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. They discuss how important AM Radio is to Farmers.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Jennifer Fahy, Farm Aid’s Communications Director. www.farmaid.org Jennifer has been with Farm Aid since 2002 and spends her time sharing stories of farmer heroes, informing people about the challenges family farmers face, and keeping on top of all the farm news. Farm Aid’s mission is to keep family farmers on the land and is best known for their annual music, food and farm festival. The truth is they work each and every day, year-round to build a system of agriculture that values family farmers, good food, soil and water, and strong communities.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to David, Donna and Nick Divoky who operate Maple Valley Sugarbush & Farm in Chardon, OH. https://www.maplevalleysugarbush.com/ They are the3rd and 4th generation producing maple syrup on this land. Sugaring can be both a joy and a challenge. One of the Divoky's setbacks in 1998 was when a devestating tornado hit their sugarbush which took down many trees, the tubing and sap transfer system. "Sugaring and working the land doesn't come easy but when it comes to bringing out God's best, you can certainly expect some adversity."This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to LORI DAVIS from Empty Pockets Ranch. https://www.emptypocketsranchny.com/ Empty Pockets Ranch started in 2016 with a handful of dairy sheep and 24 chickens. What began as a dream of familyhomesteading and self- sufficiency quickly morphed into a full-time business and lifestyle. They are truly 100 % family run with no staff and can guarantee that you will get an authentic farm family experience from one or all of them. Empty Pockets Ranch, located in upstate New York, has a rich history dating back to the late 1760’s .This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Zoe Kent, an 8th generation family farmer. At 28, she's the eighth generation in a chain of Buckeye State growers. She stands at the helm of a corn and soybean operation with roots reaching to at least 1820. You can follow her on Instagram - @FarmWithZoe In 2021, she began dropping farm-related posts on social media. Her “Farm with Zoe” Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok accounts have becomewildly popular in just two years. Contrasting with the shine of social media, Kent contends farming comes with an inherent burden placed by history and legacy.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Steve Roach, Safe & Healthy Food Program Director and Senior Analyst for Keep Antibiotics Working. https://www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org/ Steve's work at Food Animal Concerns Trust focuses on reducing the human health risks that result from the production of food animals including risks from foodborne illness, dangerous drug residues, and antibiotic resistance. He says that partnering with and investing in humane farmers is one of the best ways to make a difference in the lives of food-producing animals and in reducing antibiotic overuse.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Michael Brown, owner of Pitspone Farm. www.pitsponefarm.com In 2007, Michael started cultivating figs and traditional crops like heirloom tomatoes. Three years later, he turned his passion for gardening toward small fruits and berries. Today, Pitspone Farm in West Orange, NJ sells specialty berries to individuals, nurseries, local restaurants, grocery stores and more. This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Monty Moran, author of "No One Is A Stranger" and former CEO of Chipotle. www.loveisfree.com This book is about finding your brilliance: unleashing a fullness and radiance you would've never thought possible, by deepening your connections to the people and the world around you. Our farms, our society, our upbringing, our culture, and even parts of our psyche often present obstacles to making these connections. By learning to navigate these challenges, we can dramatically improve our lives. Doug and Monty describe how these principals can be applied to help make your Family Farm even more successful.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how AI is already being designed to operate farms, how Agritourism helps sell product, food labels in grocery stores can be very deceiving and how the wet June has stalled early fruit. Next, we meet thePresident of Grain at Superior Feed Ingredients and regular contributor to AgWeb.com, Jon Scheve. www.superiorfeed.com Superior Feed Ingredients serves clients that have outgrown their in-house structure by offering alternatives. Given the dynamic and complex nature of the commodity markets, they use their contacts and relationships to assist clients to reach their goals and objectives at a reasonable cost. A former AFF guest, he returns to discuss managing spreads and adding profit to crops (one year later), especially with so many farmers battling May’s frost and June’s heavy rain. Finally, farmer Doug opines about why the milk marketing system needs to reformed.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you ar

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about El Nino and La Nina are on their way and that's especially good for corn and soybeans, temperatures are rising in those areas and more on the new Farm Bill and how it continues to screw small farmers. Next, we meet Quinton Cook, of Cook’s Farm Dairy, in Ortonville, MI. www.CooksFarmDairy.com For 90 years of quality ingredients, guided by a strong faith, traditional family values, and hard work, 4 generations of the Cook family has been producing Grade A dairy products since 1933. BEST OF THE BEST 2022, voted by their community in The Citizen, Oakland Press and more! They offer opportunities to meet their cows, take guided tours of the farm, attend farm festivities during the Fall months - including pumpkin patches, hayrides, and a corn maze. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about family traditions being the backbone of great farms.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this p

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that today is World Milk Day and a brief history of milk, how dairy farms will be affected by the massive Farm Bill, legally tolerated limits of contamination in our foods, Wall St against Feds requiring small farms to report on emissions. Next, we meet Jeff Farley from Majestic Meadows Alpacas & Boutique. https://majesticmeadowsalpacas.com/ They have been raising alpacas for over 25 years and have now added lots of family friendly animals to the farm to create the ultimate interactive farm education experience for animal lovers of all ages. Finally, Farmer Doug opines again about the massive Farm Bill that doesn't offer much to the small Family Farmer.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3010081/advertisement

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about dust storms across Tennessee farms cause 70 vehicle pile-up, 7 deaths and lawsuits against the farmers, Chinese owned Smithfield Foods closes 37 of their plants, Safeway grocery stores recalls oatmeal cookies and mid-May frosts takes it's toll on New England produce. Next, we meet Bill Short a family farmer in Franklin, TN and developer Brian Wright. The Short family plans to turn their 200-acre farm into an agrihood. The family has owned the farm since the late 1800s. They’ve had dairy cows, beef cattle, hogs, two kinds of sheep, every kind of chicken and fowl you can think of, and were growing and sustaining the crops that sustained those animals. The family plans to say goodbye to traditional farm and transform it into an agrihood. Learn all about their plans. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about what he calls "The Ridiculous Farm Bill."This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertisin

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about some wandering chickens, how the new Farm Bill will affect what you eat, top money grabber in the Bill is Food Assistance, followed by Debt Ceiling and then Environmental Control. Next, we meet Lori Mercer with the Farmer Resource Network at Farm Aid, 800-FARM AID. With more than 35 years of experience working one-on-one with farmers, their goal is to connect you with helpful services, resources and opportunities specific to your individual needs. Their online directory contains more than 750 organizations all over the United States that work directly with farmers on a variety of issues. They are staffed with farm advocates, technical assistance experts, business and finance coaches, counselors and hotline operators that can help connect you with the information and resources you need. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about how the State of Iowa has legalized the sale of raw milk.

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about plans for Fairlife (which is owned by Nestles) to build a huge production facility in NY, how this new facility will affect Dairy Farmers, the state of Michigan is seeing its largest reduction of farms in 10 years. Next, we meet Jessica Sanford, Adams Berry Farm of Lincoln, VT. http://www.adamsberryfarm.com/ The farm is an organic family-owned farm with pick-your-own offerings: Strawberries - Early June to late June, Raspberries - Late June to late July, Blueberries - Late July to late August, and Raspberries - Late August to frost. Their goal is to create community through food and berries. They believe that how we choose to consume has an impact on the environment and our future. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about his love for going to Farm Auctions.

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how President Joe Biden is getting pushback on his proposed climate policies, The Farmer/Citizen Movement is a new political party in The Netherlands and now 80k lawsuits have been filed against Bayer over Round-Up. Next, we meet Co-Founder of family-owned Little Seed Farm, James Ray. www.littleseedfarm.com After one too many years of city living, James & Eileen Ray came to realize that their true dreams laid in their roots. In early 2012 they moved to a farm in rural Tennessee. Their mission was to provide humanely and sustainability produced soap and skincare to the community, and to encourage other small businesses to embrace land stewardship and sustainable production. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about The Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act. American Family Farmer Show podcasts are always available at, American Family Farmer Show.com, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how John Deere is balking a adhering to Right-To-Repair mandates, Colorado has introduced laws to hold them to it, new energy efficient and electric tractors being developed by John Deere. Next, we meet Rachel Stallard from Roaring Acres Farm. www.roaringacres.com Roaring Acres is what many in the industry refer to as a “Hobby Farm,” because they do not farm as their primary income. Rachel is a mom to three kids, a rescue hound, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, a writer and she’s restoring 35 acres of wilderness. Another goal is emergency preparedness and shares many tips on being prepared and how to get started. Finally, Farmer Doug has more thoughts on the state of veterinary care and advises seeking holistic alternatives to reduce use of drugs and antibodies.

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about our current window for planting corn and beans, how Immigration patterns are effecting the Family Farmer, consumers don't understand why egg prices are going up, much of the rate hikes can be attributed to hundreds of thousands of chickens that have had to be killed due to Bird Flu season. Next, we meet Matt Kroul of Kroul Farms. www.kroulfarms.com Matt had a successful football career as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team and then, went on to play 3 seasons for the NY Jets. In 2012, Matt returned to the farm full time. It had been a traditional multigenerational row crop and cattle/pigs farm until the early 90’s when Matt’s parents began to diversify. They added a pumpkin patch, large produce garden, greenhouses for flowers, chicken coop, and firewood business. Kroul Farms plants almost 20 acres of fresh produce each year and pick it all summer long. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the lack of rural large an