American Family Farmer

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news of a poll that points out that American Adults have a very positive view of Farmers. In other Farm News, Milk prices are more erratic than ever. Next, we meet Leandra King, founder of family owned and operated Detroit Farm & Cider. www.detroitfarmandcider.com As a child growing up in a turbulent home with a mother who abused drugs, Leandra King constantly faced a paralyzing anxiety that would completely consume her. To calm down, she would find a quiet place outdoors and pile mud and dirt on her body. The outdoors was simply a positive space where she could go to escape that anxiety. About 18 months ago, she bought a four-acre plot of land and opened Detroit Farm and Cider: the first Black-owned cider mill in the country. She tells of her trials and successes. Finally comes Farmer Doug's op-ed piece, called "Where's The Money."

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that 1% of America's farmers own 70% of America's Farmland. Then, are robots taking over? 30% of America's dairy cows are milked by robots. Next, we meet Adam Chappell. His family has tended their 8,000 acre farm for four generations, but Adam was the first one to face the real possibility that his could be the last. Most parents yearn for their children to come back home, but when Adam and his brother Seth went off to college, his father told them to not come back. But despite his dad’s advice, after studying botany and entomology at Arkansas State and University of Arkansas, Adam felt called to come back and quickly realized the farm was in trouble. Chemical input costs were drowning out the value of countless hours of work. Today he grows non-GMO corn and soybeans because the seed cost is 50 percent less than genetically modified seed. Adam says, “The obstacle is Big Ag. They don’t want you to believe in other solutions th

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with good news from some Family Pork Farmers that have actually seen their business increase during the pandemic. But, there's disappointing news that this year, Farmers are only receiving 11-cents on every consumer dollar spent on food. Next, Doug introduces us to A.yoni Jeffries and her mother Kisha Jeffries from Handèwa Farms. www.handewafarms.com Handèwa Farms is an indigenous-led farming collective that seeks to provide organic, healthy food to all. It is the ultimate goal of the collective for future generations to be inspired to connect with the Earth and its natural medicine. As a woman-led collective, many of our members have indigenous ancestry, including Occaneechi-Saponi, Cherokee, Blackfoot, and Lakota tribes. Kisha is Handèwa Farms’ Finance Director and A.yoni Jeffries is the Farms’ Business Development Director and a musician. Finally, Farmer Doug applauds talk about a new Farm Bill, hopefully with less emphasis on Indus

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Long Horn Tick, from China, is on its way to attack humans and animals. Next, we meet 5th Generation Farmer and CEO of Kannaco CBD James Garmen. www.KannacoCBD.com Jim grew up on a farm, in Kansas and attended Kansas State University. His professional career centered around health, wellness, and fitness as well as internet marketing. In an unforeseen but exciting twist of events, he managed to launch a hemp startup in 2018, and by 2020 the entire Garman family are involved in the business, Kannaco. They have invested many months and considerable dollars in designing, developing, and refining CBD product formulations to help meet your mental and physical health objectives. Finally, Family Farmer Doug opines about corrupt pricing in the milk pricing system.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about how national food chain Panera is now indicating on their menus which items are certified Climate Friendly. Then, news about how New York State Dairy Farmers are helping boost dairy sales. Next, we meet Ryan Horawath of Sitka Salmon Shares. https://sitkasalmonshares.com Sitka Salmon Shares is a members-based organization that allows you to purchase a “share” of the harvest of a small-boat family fishermen. You have the option of paying for your share in full at the beginning of the season or spreading out your payments through monthly installments. One of their 20 fishermen-owners or partner fishermen then catch your fish and handle each one with care virtually unheard of in the world of large factory boats and corporate-owned fish farms. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about safety on the farm, especially with children and use of ATVs.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that the Paris Climate Agreement that President Trump backed out of, takes effect this week. Then, a damage report from last week's storms. Next, we meet Dan Erdmann - Farm Rescue Program Manager. https://farmrescue.org/ Farm Rescue's mission is to help family farms and ranches bridge crises, so they can continue as viable operations. They provide planting, haying, harvesting and livestock feeding assistance to farm and ranch families that have experienced a major injury, illness or natural disaster. They have assisted nearly 700 farm and ranch families since their inception in 2005. The upcoming virtual Farm Rescue benefit concert, in partnership between Farm Rescue and John Deere, takes place December 9th at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville with proceeds benefiting farmers affected by Covid-19. Finally, Family Farmer Doug Stephan opines about the need for and benefits of Organic Farming and Ranching.

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that The Old Farmer's Almanac, The Farmer's Almanac and The Mother Nature Network all disagree on how severe our winter will be this year. The National Farmer's Union just conducted this year's event on Zoom. Next, we meet Christopher Vane co-founded of Little Bear Sanctuary, a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary in Punta Gorda, FL. www.littlebearsanctuary.org Christopher named the farm in honor of his late mother Ursula (which translates to “little bear” in Latin). They shared a common passion for animals and Ursula often dreamed of providing neglected, once-abused animals a safe haven. Chris and his husband Randy followed through on Ursula’s dream and established the Little Bear Sanctuary in 2017. Now, 160+ rescued farm animals call Little Bear Sanctuary home. They discuss Pigs as a Pet Pandemic and their current GoFundMe project. https://www.gofundme.com/c/heroes/chris-vane Finally, Farmer Doug opines that he's up-in-the-air ab

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a report from The New York Times warning us how bad cattle are for the planet. Next, we meet Cornell University Graduate Student Morgan Irons. Morgan designed and performed a Mars agriculture experiment for her undergraduate thesis at Duke University. She also designed and patented a new model for a "quasi-closed, agroecological system" for extreme environment habitation on Earth and in space. Additionally, she co-founded the company, Deep Space Ecology Inc in her junior year at Duke based on the realization that no one was publicly working to answer food security questions and human sustainability in the space industry at the time. Her work is supported by the National Science Foundation through their Graduate Research Fellowship Program. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8305 Finally, Farmer Doug encourages Farm Employers to set a good example for Farm Employees and F

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture news. Leas story is that this is National Farmers Week. Next, Monsanto continues its battle to keep use of Round-Up on American Farms. Chinese Killer Hornets are destroying our Honey Bees. And last, the Presidential Candidates are using every trick they can to buy Farm Votes. Then, we meet chef and owner of Bulrush restaurant in St. Louis, Rob Connoley. WWW.BulrushSTL.com Through research of family journals and letters from the early 1800s, Rob has uncovered over 200 years of history. History that includes the families of indigenous people, enslaved residents, and Euro-Appalachian immigrants that tamed the wild lands of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri (and tips of Oklahoma and Kansas). These are the people who defined what was Ozark cuisine. Bulrush is rooted in this food that sustained these hardy people for generations. Finally, Farmer Doug opines that farmers have to come to grips with practices that the glo

American Family Farmer and Host Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture News; leading off with 46-million eggs being donated to food banks by Egg Ranchers. Then, news of higher prices of hay and pumpkins, due to weather issues. Next, we meet Karin Taylor, who owns and operates the renowned animal sanctuary Mandalay Farms in Jupiter, Florida. https://www.mandalayfarms.com/ With over 250 animals it is home to a variety of furry, feathered and scaly friends including miniature horses, monkeys, miniature donkeys, horses, goats, tortoises, wallabies, llamas, turkeys, chickens, emus, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits and many more. Mandalay Farms provides a loving and pristine environment for animals, in turn providing a stable and nurturing environment for underprivileged and at-risk children and those with special needs. As COVID continues, she is reopening her farm for virtual tours and revolutionary animal therapy programs this month. Finally, Farmer Doug offers his opinion that that Farmers should e

Doug Stephan, Host and American Family Farmer www.eastleighfarm.com begins with ag news about the latest funding bill to help get farmers through the end of the year. Next, we meet Executive Director of Land For Good, Jim Hafner. Jim has over 25 years experience in program development, outreach and research in the fields of international agriculture, community development, and public health. Land For Good is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the future of farming in New England by putting more farmers more securely on more land. Learn more at www.landforgood.org or connect with them on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram. Here are more resources that Jim Recommends: https://newenglandfarmlandfinder.org/ - https://sustainableagriculture.net/ - https://nfu.org/ - https://nffc.net/ - https://healfoodalliance.org/ - https://www.soulfirefarm.org/ - www.http://foodchainworkers.org/ Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the loss of 2,000 acres of farmland lost every year to residential development.

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www/eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture news concerning replacing Farm Workers with Robots. Next, we meet equine intuitive counselor, nutritional consultant and author Esta Bernstein. www.saffyresanctuary.org She grew up in the racing industry and has over 45years of equine experience. As the author of Changing Horses the book, and producer of Changing Horses the film, Esta embodies the knowledge of why horses are here, and embraces the teachings of horses. During her journey of the horse consciousness, and the unfolding of the horse's message, people on the same path started to come into the world of her Saffyre Sanctuary. Finally, Farmer Doug gets his chance to opine about his belief that it's time for the producers to have a say in the pricing of milk.

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.