American Family Farmer

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com began with a story about a Cornel University graduate, Bob DeCarlo, who took a job as a trainee at a 600-cow dairy. He did his job well and today the owner is grooming him to eventually take over the farm. In other Agriculture news, the venom from a honeybee's sting has been found to be a powerful anti-tumor agent for breast cancer. Next, we meet 7th generation Washington County Iowa Farmer and the Founder/CEO of Continuum Ag, Mitchell Hora. www.FIELDWORKTALK.ORG & www.CONTINUUM.AG His family's farming operation is implementing the principles of soil health and intensely monitors impact using the Haney Soil Health Test on a weekly basis. Their efforts have led to experimentation of diverse cover crops, 60" corn, interseeding, malt barley, relay cropping, mustard seed production, real-time sensors, carbon markets, and a wide array of product trials. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about why the consumer is the only hope for the Family Farm, not

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that he is considering getting back into milking cows again. And then, The Government of Mexico has banned use of Monsanto's Round Up. Next, we meet Tina and Orion Weldon, co-founders and owners of TerraPurezza, a regenerative agriculture institute and farm in Spicewood, TX. www.TerraPurezza.com They were asked by Country Music Megastar Willie Nelson, to transform their 500-acre property, Luck Ranch, into a regenerative farm. By combining traditional Regenerative Agriculture techniques with modern technology systems, they regenerate soils to build a more vibrant foundation for nutritionally-dense food. They have proven in the tough Texas terrain that these practices are not only feasible, they are also scalable on an industrial level. Their practices include rotational grazing of high-density livestock, effective water management via land augmentation, restoration of native grasses, and the highest quality of animal welfare. F

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a national look at weather and how it's affected crops and how to use Crop Insurance. Then he opines about the Presidential Candidates and the USPS. Next, we meet fifth generation farmer Rick Clark. Rick has developed and is constantly improving a systematic approach to regenerative farming. https://www.farmgreen.land/ The farm strives to be a low cost input producer, while maintaining an increase in yield year over year. The farm is 100% NGMO, 100% no till, and 100% cover crop. He will suppress weeds with cover crops and he cares deeply about human health as well. Rick is building a system that will be viable and sustainable for generations to come. Finally, Doug opines that we will have to pay more for food to maintain a good, healthy and long life.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins news about how this year's weather is affecting farming from coast to coast. Then, news that sales of irrigation systems are at a ten year high in Doug's home state, Massachusetts. Next, we meet Rachael Winfree. www.winfreelab.com Dr. Winfree is a Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources at Rutgers University. In her work she uses her training as a community ecologist to develop novel and quantitatively rigorous approaches to answering ecological questions. Most of the world's crops depend on honeybees and wild bees for pollination, so declines in both managed and wild bee populations raise concerns about food security. Her findings suggest that adopting practices that conserve or augment wild bees, such as enhancing wildflowers and using managed pollinators other than honey bees, is likely to boost yields. Finally, in Doug's commentary, he notes that $50-Billion dollars are spent annually on "so-called" O

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins some agri-news. Top story is how to take advantage of the Coronavirus Commodity Grants and how to get on the list. Next, we meet Zac McDaniel. He is the owner and VP of Production at First Saturday Lime, a completely safe and eco-friendly insect repellent. www.firstsaturdaylime.com He runs FirstSaturday Lime with his wife, and the CEO of FSL, Jana. Their rapid growth is partially due to their appearance on Television's "Shark Tank." Finally, Farmer Doug opines about why we should be good listeners when it comes to seeking new ideas to help make our farms safer and more productive.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with good news that Financial Investors are gearing up to bet lots of their money in Farming. Next, we meet Richard Heim. He is a U.S. Drought Monitor and North American Drought Monitor author who is involved in drought monitoring at NCEI for NOAA. Finally, Farmer Doug Opines about how farmers should be using their collective rational minds to discover ways to sustain Agriculture in the future.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about mysterious unsolicited seeds from China have been arriving all over the country. Do not open the package and do not plant the seeds! Report it to local authorities ASAP. Next, we meet former NFL star, turned Family Farmer Jason Brown. Facebook: @firstfruitsfarmnc - instagram @wisefarmerbrown - Twitter @wisefarmerbrown. After graduating from college, he was drafted by and signed a 5-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. After being released and with several lucrative offers on the table, Jason decided instead to take a leap of faith and walk away from the NFL. He purchased a 1,000-acre farm in North Carolina. www.amazinggrazeevents.com The farm has yielded one million pounds of produce which were given to food pantries and churches throughout the area. In his work through Wisdom for Life Ministries and First Fruit Farm, Jason and his wife are demonstrating how to live a life of purpose. Finally, Farmer Doug opines abou

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that Bayer Pharmaceutical faces tens of thousands of claims for continuing to sell the product Round-Up without a warning label. Now, the company has agreed to pay more than $10 billion to settle its lawsuits and set aside funds for any future cases. Next, we meet Katey Evens, co-founder of The Frozen Farmer, a farm creamery that was recently featured on ABC’s Shark Tank. www.thefrozenfarmer.com She and her husband Kevin own Evans Farms, a nearly 3,000-acre produce and grain operation in Bridgeville, Delaware. The Frozen Farmer utilizes the misfit produce from Evans Farms, helping reduce food waste and creating a value-added product line. The Frozen Farmer Ice Cream treats are sold in 376 chain stores across seven states and they recently launched nationwide shipping. Finally, Farmer Doug opines why we all should teach our children where the food comes from.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with good news that U-Pick Farms are showing great increases around the country. Also, The Government has identified 59 things that you should not use on crops. Next, we meet Nicole DelCogliano, Director of Programs & Human Relations at Organic Growers School. https://organicgrowersschool.org/ Organic Growers School is the premiere provider of practical and affordable organic education in the Southern Appalachians, building a vibrant food & farming community by boosting the success of organic home growers and farmers in their region. They provide hands-on training, workshops, conferences and partnerships inspire, educate, and support people to farm, garden, and live organically. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about managing risk on the farm, for you, your staff and your customers.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that COVID19 Food Assistance programs have been extended through August. Next, news about how farmers are dealing with the Summer Heat. Then, we meet Iowa State University Professor Andy VanLoocke. https://www.agron.iastate.edu/people/andy-vanloocke and http://faculty.agron.iastate.edu/vanloocke/ Andy's passion for atmospheric sciences started in undergrad when a professor showed him the impact the science would make on the world. After getting his Masters and PhD, he joined the Agronomy faculty at Iowa State. His time is divided between teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and researching how our use of the land might impact agro-ecosystem processes in tandem with global change. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the ridiculous Federally mandated One-Pay Price for Milk Producers and he suggest how we might fix it.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agri-News about how cows are being treated. Farmers are being forced to dump products, due to complications from COVID19. Sales of Community Supported Agricultural shares are up. Next, we meet comedic investigative journalist, bestselling author,and a solar-powered goat herder, Doug Fine. www.dougfine.com His hemp books include "American Hemp Farmer," "Too High to Fail" and "Hemp Bound. Willie Nelson calls Doug’s work “a blueprint for the America of the future.” The Washington Post says, “Fine is a storyteller in the mold of Douglas Adams.” His focus for the past 15 years has been regenerative living, beginning with his bestseller "Farewell, My Subaru." Finally, Host Doug opines the use of expensive perfumes to kill insects on crops.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a lesson in virology and the many forms of bacteria on our host planet. Also, more Racism news that Blacks currently own only .52% of farms. At one time it was 14%. Next, we meet President and COO Angela Speer and CEO of Tulip Town Farm of Skagit Valley, Washington. www.tuliptown.com In 2019 another generation of Skagit Valley natives decided it was time to return home and give back to the community that raised them by purchasing Tulip Town. They left corporate careers in law and finance behind them, with the goal to keep the 30-acre farm in good agricultural production, after the original owner passed away in 2019. And then came the Pandemic and “As if farming is not hard enough, we had to turn around and completely redo our business model,” Miller says. Learn how they created a plan to survive, even with today's challenges. Finally, Farmer Doug opines what Dairy Farmers must do to survive in these times of over-production and pu

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a summary of top Agri News stories. National farm groups have united to support local media as a way to stay up to date with new developments in the world of agriculture. A group of college students have created a link to match local farms that have excess crops or products with groups that need it, such as food banks. Next, we meet Farm Mom Annette Thurmon of Azure Farm. www.azurefarmlife.com Annette was a Midwest girl turned southern belle, after marrying husband Jared. She studied nursing in college, then designed wedding gowns. Now, they operate a Homestead farm, about an hour North of Atlanta. They were looking for "The Simple Life," and they found it. She shares her daily farm adventures on Instagram and her blog. You'll find helpful tips, plant-based recipes, home decor, gardening advice, mom life, and lots of animal and farm pictures. Recently, she wrote a Children's Book "Percy's Big Adventure," which teaches little ones h

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about the difficulty the Coronavirus has caused as farmers seek to hire temporary farm workers. There's also news about Racism with minority farmers securing loans and selling their products. Next, Doug welcomes writer, director, and producer of historical documentaries, Robert Rapley. His current documentary features Norman Borlaug, titled "The Man Who Tried To Feed The World." https://www.pbs.org/video/the-man-who-tried-to-feed-the-world-obcvcb/ It recounts the story of the man who would not only solve India’s famine problem but would go on to lead a “Green Revolution” of worldwide agriculture programs estimated to have saved one billion lives. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the need to pay more attention to Dairy Farmers, as June is Dairy Month.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about a new bill that has been introduced to put an end to Factory Farms. Next, we meet Registered Horticultural Therapist Joel Flagler. Joel is an Agricultural Extension Agent and Professor at Rutgers University/ NJ Ag Experiment Station. https://plantbiology.rutgers.edu/hort-therapy/. He has developed the first curricula in Horticultural Therapy (HT) for Rutgers University SEBS in New Brunswick. HT Certificate and degree programs are popular options for undergrads and returning adult students. This is one of very few accredited university based programs in the U.S. He has also created over 40 Horticultural therapy programs in NJ; structured to meet needs of diverse populations including: Veterans, post-stroke seniors, developmentally disabled individuals, correctional youth, etc. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the care that you need to take in applying for Federal Aid. They do not understand what we do!

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture news about a New Hampshire Family Dairy Farm that came up with a creative way to solve one of the COVID19 restrictions, so they could process and sell milk locally. Field workers on produce farms now are required to wear masks and taker other precautions. Doug then explains how the Federal Aid will divided among the various types of farms. Next, we meet Jim MacFadden of MacFadden & Sons Auctions. www.macfaddens.com Jim, a farmer's son, opened a Farm Auction business in the Northeast over 30 years ago and they sell new and used Tractor Parts. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the public's naive views about Farming. Why is there a gap today in children's knowledge about farms?

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with the latest Agriculture News. The lead story is about the USDA's announcement of new details in the Food Assistance Program and how it will offer Federal assistance of up to $16-billion dollars of aid to farmers. Next, we meet Julie Pottier-Brown and Tamara Butts Sullivan of Farm Direct Co-op. WWW.FARMDIRECTCOOP.ORG. Julie’s primary responsibility is planning what crops show up at the depot each week. Tamera manages the flow of data to their 800 member organization, communication with the membership, accounts payable / receivable, budget planning and tracking, and working with Julie to make sure the members have the best possible experience. Farm Direct Co-op is a woman-run, not-for-profit, community-oriented, member-based organization with the goal of supporting local growers and artisans while providing the freshest local and organic food available. Finally, host/farmer Doug offers a positive story about the Brown Family Dairy, wh

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agri News that finds The House and Senate suing the SBA in order to get financial aid to Farmers? Next, Doug introduces us to Tracy Hayhurst, who is Farm Manager and Seed & Spoon Director at Husky Meadows Farms. www.huskymeadowsfarm.com She is developing Seed and Spoon, a culinary retreat program based on the 2-acre farm. Tracy is inspired by other farmers’ ingenuity and by chefs who can coax sublime flavors out of raw ingredients. Tracy believes that farming and cooking are sensory experiences. The feel of the soil on her hands. The scents that each plant releases. And then the flavors that could be created in the kitchen. Finally, Doug opines about the difficulty farmers are having dealing with COVID19 and suggests that farms should apply for the aid now and he doesn't want to see any of the money going to big corporate farms.

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Fed is spending another $470-million to help family farms and feed those affected by Coronavirus. Doug wonders if the money will really get to Family Farms. Next, we meet Daron Babcock, Founder and Executive Director of Bonton Farms, Texas. https://bontonfarms.org/ Daron left a successful corporate career along with his comfortable home in Frisco, Texas to serve the inner-city residents of Bonton. Although Bonton is historically known for its high crime,poverty and violence, he believes another world is possible. He founded Bonton Farms in 2014. It started out as a garden in a small lot and has grown into two fully functioning farms and the Bonton Market . They grow organic food and are determined to grow the best-tasting, healthiest produce in the city while inspiring hope in everyone around. They also house free-range chickens, goats, turkeys, rabbits and beehives that provide an abundance of fresh eggs, milk and

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about the forced closures of meat processing plants, caused by Coronavirus. Land-O-Lakes elects to remove the Native American Woman from their logo. In positive news home delivery of milk is booming in some communities. Next, we meet Paul D. Esker, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Field Crop Pathology at Penn State. https://plantpath.psu.edu/directory/pde6 He specializes in Integrated management of field crop diseases, plant disease epidemiology and statistical methods for the agricultural sciences. Finally, Family Farmer Doug Stephan opines that he believes farmers and ranchers should look at new ways of conducting business as we struggle with Coronavirus.