American Family Farmer

On this episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes Jodi Scott, co-founder of Green Goo, CEO of Spry Life, and a dedicated hobby farmer in Lyons, Colorado. Jodi shares her journey bridging science, psychology, and traditional herbal medicine, from pre-med studies and work supporting underserved patients to building a family business rooted in the healing power of plants. What began as handcrafted herbal remedies made on the family farm has grown into a nationally recognized, women-led, B Corp-certified brand carried by major retailers—while still staying true to its original mission of natural, effective first aid and personal care.Jodi also discusses the realities of scaling a family farm into an FDA-regulated business, sourcing high-quality herbs from trusted growers worldwide, and maintaining sustainability through recyclable packaging and plant-based formulations. She reflects on the Scott family’s pivotal decision to buy back the company in late 2025, returning leadership, restoring ori

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the reality of news mixed with opinion and deciphering where to get the truth. Doug dives into realities of certain pesticides on the farm, twice banned and now reapproved. The ones that have caused a number of farmers to die who had used those products. The products also raised concerns of the drift and how it spreads to poisoning other farms, poisoning home gardens, poisoning other trees and plants. The next item of interest in the farm & ag news department has to do with Argentinian beef, and how it’s hurting American cattle farmers. The idea behind a push for the imported beef was to help people buy beef at lower prices. The costs of buying American beef is correlated to the cost of raising and processing the beef. American farmers barely make any money on what they do sell, but the cost of being a functioning farm is what is driving prices. Then, Doug shifts focus from n

This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan sits down with Jack Algiere, Director of Agroecology at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in New York’s Hudson Valley.Jack has been actively farming for more than two decades and was Stone Barns’ very first official employee back in 2004. Since then, he’s helped build one of the country’s most innovative four-season regenerative farming operations—bringing together multi-species grass-fed livestock, grains and field crops, greenhouse production, orchards, flowers, composting systems, and even wild landscape stewardship under one integrated approach.In this conversation, Jack shares what it really takes to run a holistic farm system that supports biodiversity, soil health, animal welfare, and long-term resilience—while also serving as a training ground for young farmers, chefs, and changemakers. Doug and Jack also explore how Stone Barns is working with partners like the Rockefeller State Park Preserve to manage hundreds of acres of public land

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with tax deductions farmers can use before filing. There are ways of deducting land, and how much depending on renting vs ownership and if you live on the land or not. If you’re a livestock producer, feed is a sizable write off and crop farmers can write off seeds and seedlings. Equipment repairs and depreciation can also be deductibles, along with fencing and whatever other farming equipment you have. Then, focus shifts to the Asian Longhorn Tick, a major threat to U.S. farmers because it reproduces rapidly without mating, forming massive infestations that cause severe stress, blood loss, and death in livestock. Lastly, Doug addresses the California push to save the wolves, but the success has caused chaos for farmers and ranchers in Northern California. The return of gray wolves to California after a century-long absence has brought serious challenges. While many—especially in urban

On this episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan of Eastleigh Farm (www.eastleighfarm.com) takes us to Owensville, Missouri, to meet Tom and Martha Brikman, the husband-and-wife team behind Cool Cow Cheese and Farmstead Bed & Breakfast (www.coolcowcheese.com). Since 2012, Martha & Tom’s Farm, LLC has been a family-owned and operated labor of love, built on respect for the land, deep care for their animals, and a passion for handcrafted, farmstead cheese.The Brikmans’ dairy cows aren’t just well cared for—they’re truly pampered, which is why they affectionately call them “Cool Cows.” That commitment to humane, attentive animal care shines through in the quality of their cheese and the experience they offer visitors. Doug and the Brikmans discuss what it takes to run a small-scale dairy farm today, the realities of farmstead cheesemaking, and how intentional animal welfare directly impacts flavor, sustainability, and farm longevity.Listeners will also learn about the farm’s unique Bed and Br

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the New World Screwworm, causing Mexico’s beef industry vulnerable to this parasitic fly. This brings up the inquiry of what is the United States doing to protect American cattle farmers and other family farmers with livestock. Continuing on, Doug shares news the U.S. dairy herd is near a 30-year high. In his experience in the dairy business, Doug gives his experience over the last decade. Then, Doug opines the journey of farming in a New Year, with one of the most important things he recently read was about pasture rotation for livestock. He, himself, prefers pasture rotation over a feed lot. Lastly, Doug address RFK Jr.’s new dietary approach with a meat-heavy diet. Related while shifting focus, the topic of methane gas raises questions on effective methods to use the gas for power. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with news affecting family farmers from the USDA about commodity payments, the rates that farmers should expect after suffering losses after the high input of costs and low crop prices. The payment rates with the highest yield are peanuts, followed by wheat, and then corn. There’s also a lot of conversation, and controversy, of putting solar onto farms in the united states. Energy needs are spiking, so many are allowing solar farming on their farm land, while some farmers are critical of the concept. Next up, in a presentation that was made for dietary guidelines, Brooke Rollins and RFK Jr. spoke about the need for whole milk, and included in their discussion that Americans can maintain a healthy diet for as little as $3 a meal per person by buying quality food, bringing it home and preparing it yourself. It requires effort and discipline, but can be done. Lastly, Doug opines the coll

This week on American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan revisits a compelling conversation with Eliza Maclean, the heart and hands behind Cane Creek Farm, a vibrant, diversified family farm in Snow Camp, North Carolina.Eliza’s journey to farming is anything but ordinary. With a background in environmental science and veterinary practice experience, she brings a deeply rooted respect for animal health, ecological stewardship, and ethical livestock management to every acre of her land. Her approach blends scientific insight with old-world wisdom, emphasizing regenerative farming and animal welfare over industrial intensification.At Cane Creek Farm, Eliza raises a rich mix of pasture-rotated livestock, including pigs, cattle, sheep, poultry, and more, in a way that nurtures both soil health and animal wellbeing. Rather than confining animals, she practices holistic rotational grazing, giving pigs, cows, and other species room to roam through woods and pastures. This not only contributes to vibrant land ecology but res

This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes Heidi Sandrev, President of Angels Haven Horse Rescue in Grafton, Ohio, a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected, abandoned, and unwanted horses while educating the public on humane horse care.Heidi didn’t grow up around horses, but she was raised with a strong philanthropic spirit. When she recognized a critical need for a horse sanctuary in her community, she took action, and never looked back. Since 2006, Angels Haven Horse Rescue has given dozens of horses a second chance at life, providing rehabilitation, veterinary care, and ultimately helping them find loving, permanent homes.In this conversation, Heidi shares the harsh realities facing horses today, including neglect driven by economic pressures, gaps in Ohio’s livestock laws, and the true cost and responsibility of horse ownership. She also explains how Angels Haven works collaboratively, never judgmentally, with owners, law enforcement, and other organizati

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the declaration that this year is the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Shedding light on the essential contributions of women in farming and agri-business. Supporting the International Year of the Woman Farmer aligns with a commitment to advance opportunities for all farmers, ensuring that women in agriculture have resources, recognition and the support they need to succeed.Moving on, Doug shares updates on the infrastructure that goes on in new farming operations called Virtual Fencing. It’s a lot like the Invisible Fence people use for their dogs, but it’s become effective to reduce labor when moving animals between pastures with farmers creating boundaries of their choice. Then, Doug shares his thoughts on evaluating an agri-tourism operation on your farm. With many farmers having more time on their hands during the winter months, it’s a good time to look back on the pa

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

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 fo

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 pr

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with a look back at 2025 agricultural news. The office of Inspector General issued a report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and one of the things they highlight is that the USDA lost 18% of their workforce earlier in the year. What else happened in 2025 was that the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act passed to permit schools to offer students whole and reduced fat milk in addition to the lower fat and fat-free milk options that were being served. More from the news desk includes the prominent weather affecting crops over the last year, the tariffs and crop price woes. Other topics include pest issue on the farm, whether or not to use drones, and new high school agricultural programs being introduced, along with new FFA projects being worked on. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

American Family Farmer with Doug Stephan welcomes Kevin Channell, principal owner of Farm & Forest Business & Tax Services, for an insightful conversation about the financial realities facing today’s farmers, foresters, and rural business owners.Kevin brings a rare dual perspective to his work—combining firsthand farming experience with deep expertise in business analysis, valuations, and farm-specific tax strategy. Before advising others, Kevin and his wife, Laura, owned and operated Your Farm in Vermont, producing and selling food directly to retail and wholesale markets for seven years. That experience, along with raising a family and eventually transitioning the farm to new owners, gave Kevin a clear understanding of how difficult it can be for farmers to step back and see the full financial picture while managing day-to-day operations.Today, Kevin continues to live the realities of agriculture as a co-owner of Whiskey Run Wagyu in southern Indiana, where his family raises Wagyu beef cattle and op

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with a focus of the COOL (Country of Origin Labelling) standards.Plus, the American Agriculture Alliance released and updated version of the impact report, highlighting progress made to enhance animal welfare practices, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to America’s healthy balanced diet. Next up, the importance of rural veterinarians and why there seem to be less and less as years go on. Then, Doug breaks down how much the farmer is actually getting on the rising cost of food and the amazing inequities in our food system. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.comSocial Media: @GoodDayNetworks

This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan heads to the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio, to visit with George Haramis, fifth-generation owners of Heritage Farms.Founded in 1848, Heritage Farms has evolved alongside American agriculture—transforming over the generations from canal boat building to potatoes, dairy, beef cattle, and today, one of Northeast Ohio’s most beloved Christmas tree farms. George shares how honoring family legacy while adapting to changing times has been key to the farm’s longevity and success.Learn what sets Heritage Farms apart, from its iconic scenic location and wide variety of cut-your-own and fresh-cut Christmas trees, including Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Blue Spruce, to the high level of personal service that ensures every tree thrives long after it leaves the farm. George also explains why education is such a big part of their mission, teaching customers exactly how to care for their trees at home. Doug and George also discu

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the latest information on tariffs and how family farmers are being affected, government assistance set aside for farmers to be distributed between now and the end of February, and questioning why there is more money being made available to bail out farmers in Argentina than farmers in our own country.Next up, Doug covers statistical changes from the number of farms in America in the 1920s verses now, 100 years later. When you compare and combine that with the income of selling crops and how it’s gone down since the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant drop over just 3 years. Lastly, Doug shifts into end-of-the-year thoughts and some ideas of finding gifts for your favorite farmer. Gifts that serve a purpose are always nice, like warm boots, slippers, snacks, funny farmer socks, and even a farmstead gift box. It’s an enlightening and informative discussion you won’t want to miss.  Web

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with word of $12 Billion in aide for farmers in our country, how tariffs are affecting small farmers, and management of taxes for farmers.Then, Doug shares his opinions on the top news stories of the week in farming and agriculture and why the chaos of the trade policy is causing more questions than answers week after week. When you look at the recent announcements of trade deals, promises and substantial relief coming to farmers, one can’t help but question the poor management for causing this in the first place. While Democrats are busy blaming Republicans and Republicans are busy blaming Democrats, American family farmers are caught in the middle. It’s an enlightening and informative discussion you won’t want to miss.  Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

What began as a childhood 4-H project has grown into a thriving value-added dairy business feeding families across New England.This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes sisters Beth and Courtney Hodge, co-owners of Echo Farm Puddings in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Raised on a small farm, the Hodge sisters turned their love for cows—and their reluctance to part with them—into a creative solution that helped sustain their family dairy through volatile milk markets and industry challenges.Beth manages the dairy herd while Courtney oversees pudding production, but their work overlaps daily as they balance farming, manufacturing, and marketing. About 20% of their milk is transformed into small-batch pudding made entirely on-farm, while the rest goes into the Cabot cheese supply chain. That modest percentage of milk, however, generates a disproportionately large share of the farm’s revenue—proving how powerful value-added agriculture can be for family farms.The conversation covers how a garage-ba