Episodios

  • Empowering Organic Farmers: A Conversation with Julia Barton of the Organic Farmers Association

    Empowering Organic Farmers: A Conversation with Julia Barton of the Organic Farmers Association
    Jul 16 2025

    This week on The American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes Julia Barton, Farmer Services Director at the Organic Farmers Association (OFA), for an in-depth look at how OFA is advocating for a healthier, more equitable future for American agriculture.Julia brings over a decade of hands-on experience supporting organic, transitional, and sustainable farmers. In her role with OFA, she works directly with farmers across the country to help them navigate certification, overcome challenges, and find success in the growing organic marketplace.

    In this episode, Julia and Doug dive into:
    • The mission and values of the Organic Farmers Association
    • How federal policy can better support independent organic farmers
    • The importance of farmer-led advocacy in shaping the future of food
    • What new and transitioning organic farmers need most
    • How OFA is building a unified voice for domestic certified organic producers
    As a farmer herself, Julia brings a grounded, personal perspective to the national policy conversation — and shares how her own journey with Octagon Acres, her family’s organic farm, shapes her work.Whether you're a seasoned organic grower, curious consumer, or policy advocate, this conversation will inspire and inform.

    🌐 Learn more at organicfarmersassociation.org


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
    Más Menos
    19 m
  • This Is the Most Trustworthy Source for Truly Clean Food

    This Is the Most Trustworthy Source for Truly Clean Food
    Jul 16 2025
    This week on The American Family Farmer, host and lifelong farmer Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) shares critical updates impacting small farms across the country.

    Doug opens the show with a look at the ongoing immigration enforcement issues that are threatening family farms. The American Farm Bureau Federation has expressed serious concern over reports of renewed immigration crackdowns that are removing essential, hardworking laborers from small farm operations.

    Next, Doug dives into the challenges facing the beef cattle industry — including the reemergence of screwworm infestations coming up from Mexico, raising alarm for U.S. livestock. On top of that, an increase in tick activity is causing a surge in infestations across farms this season. Despite these concerns, there’s good news: the cattle market remains strong, with continued high demand.

    Turning to the honeybee crisis, Doug reports that bee colonies are down by two-thirds, due to a combination of migratory stress, parasitic threats, and erratic weather — especially recent floods across the U.S. Given the vital role bees play in agriculture, Doug encourages anyone with the interest and ability to consider starting a colony of their own to support pollination and food production.

    In his “Doug’s Opine” segment, Doug revisits his recent conversation with Julia Barton from the Organic Farmers Association (episode: "Empowering Organic Farmers: A Conversation with Julia Barton of the Organic Farmers Association"). He reflects on the challenges surrounding the “organic” label — a term that has been increasingly compromised by government red tape and industrial agriculture interests. Doug shares his strong belief that real organic farming should return to its roots — before chemical farming — and stresses the importance of knowing your farmer. As he says, if your organic food comes from a local farm, it’s far more trustworthy than products from big ag brands bearing the same label.
    Más Menos
    18 m
  • Farmers vs. Screwworms, SNAP Cuts & the Microplastic Problem

    Farmers vs. Screwworms, SNAP Cuts & the Microplastic Problem
    Jul 9 2025
    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 “Big Beautiful Bill,” and how it will affect farmers. What should farmers know about his bill? Major cuts to the SNAP program, stricter qualifications for recipients, and passing costs off to the states. Next up, the continued issues of the screwworm and the problems these invasive, flesh eating pests are causing. ICYMI, a screwworm is a type of parasitic fly larva that fees on living flesh of warm blooded animals, including humans. Its name comes from the maggot’s appearance as it burrows into a wound, resembling a screw being driven into wood. Th screwworm can cause severe damage and even death if left untreated. The USDA is making plans to better prepare farmers should these pests get into their herds. Moving on, Doug shares a list of foods with the highest amounts of microplastics. They are apples and carrots (most commonly used in juice cleanses). Other foods with higher levels of microplastics include rice, pink Himalayan sea salt, sugar, tea, plant-based nuggets, fish sticks, shrimp, and water. What are farmers doing — or, what should they be doing — to minimize microplastics infiltrating their crops.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
    Más Menos
    17 m
  • Smart Tax Moves Every Farmer Should Know with Tim Gradert

    Smart Tax Moves Every Farmer Should Know with Tim Gradert
    Jul 9 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Tim Gradert, Senior Tax Manager with Uncommon Farms. In this episode, Doug and Tim explore the often-overlooked power of smart tax planning in agriculture. From proactive strategies that boost profitability to overcoming unique hurdles family farmers face during tax season, Tim shares insight drawn from years of hands-on experience in ag-specific tax preparation. They dive into deductions that can make a difference—like Section 179 and bonus depreciation—and highlight the importance of year-round tax planning, accurate record keeping, and leveraging tools like AgManager® for seamless tax integration. You’ll also hear how UnCommon Farms supports farmers not just at tax time, but year-round—through education, software solutions, and personal consultation—to help ensure no opportunity is missed. Whether you're navigating asset basis, succession planning, or compliance with changing ag laws, this episode is packed with advice designed to keep your farm financially resilient and strategically prepared.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
    Más Menos
    19 m
  • Whole Milk Wins, Custom Farm Costs Rise, and Agri-Terrorism Threats

    Whole Milk Wins, Custom Farm Costs Rise, and Agri-Terrorism Threats
    Jul 2 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the approval of the Whole Milk For Healthy Children Act, which expands options for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program allowing them to offer whole and reduced fat. Next up, Purdue University has come up with an overview of the farm custom rates, increases in the cost of what it costs to do hay and the increase in hiring for mowing, tedding and raking. Additionally, Chinese nationals have been charged with smuggling a small grain fungus considered an agri-terrorism, with symptoms including liver damage, vomiting, reproductive problems, and more. Lastly, Doug shares news of Flags For Farms Rescue Challenge from the Farmer’s Business Network and how you can support farms in crisis with donation on FarmRescue.org


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
    Más Menos
    17 m
  • Farming in the Smoke: Air, Soil, Sea, and the Next Generation

    Farming in the Smoke: Air, Soil, Sea, and the Next Generation
    Jul 2 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Patrick Whittle, Environment and Oceanic Reporter with the Associated Press, for a conversation on how the effects of wildfire smoke affects small farmers. The wildfires in Canada sent smoke as far away as Europe, and caused smoke to linger over cities like Kansas City and Minneapolis (far, far away from their origin in Canada), raising alarms in many parts of the U.S. from an unhealthy air quality, affecting soil quality, and more. While fire can be a good thing for land as it burns off the old trash and new growth comes in, but the smoke that comes with the fire has a completely different influence. Additionally, you can hear about the mentorship with IT students and the Associated Press, like Patrick’s mentee who was on the program last week, which you can hear in the episode titled, “Is Organic Still Worth It?” Next up, the discussion shifts to how fishermen are battling changing oceans after President Trump’s deregulation of fishing, and persistent fears of overfishing. Will these fish docks be available for future generations to make a living? They discuss that, too.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
    Más Menos
    18 m
  • Is Organic Still Worth It?

    Is Organic Still Worth It?
    Jun 25 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Caitlyn Daproza, Photojournalism Student at the Rochester Institute of Technology., joining today’s episode with a conversation on less farm land going to organic crops and the importance of sustainability.

    Caitlyn's curiosity for documentation began at a young age, going through family photo albums and old letters, and through asking questions and connecting pieces of memory, she began to understand the quiet power of storytelling through archived moments. Caitlyn's work centers on community, optimism, and the preservation of personal and collective memory.

    Currently pursuing a BFA in Photojournalism at the Rochester Institute of Technology, she brings experience across photography, audio, video, and reporting. Inspired by family archives and everyday joy, their creative practice amplifies diverse voices through storytelling.

    Together, Doug and Caitlyn explore why fewer farmers are turning to organic certification—and what that means for the future of sustainable agriculture. From rising costs to evolving climate practices, we unpack the growing debate: Is "organic" still worth it, or are there better ways to farm responsibly?

    Tune in as we talk cows, compost, and the complexities of doing what's best for both the planet and the people who farm it.

    Website - AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
    Más Menos
    19 m
  • Farmers First? Policies, Politics, and the Future of the Family Farm

    Farmers First? Policies, Politics, and the Future of the Family Farm
    Jun 25 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visiting farms and laying out the Trump Administration’s “Farmers First” policies that help smaller farmers and why it’s a lead focus with the USDA, Nebraska is the first state to ban sugary drinks from being bought on the SNAP program, and how the immigration issue is affecting farmers having the workers they need. Then, the conversation shifts to diversification farming production and why a singular focus may create a surplus, why it’s important to know who owns the seed companies, and how you get your news and whether or not you read into opinions. Lastly, Doug takes a look at farm markets and how they’re being manipulated by tariffs and agri-business monopolies, he opines why Brooke Rollins is divisive but possibly proving to favor small farmers.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmer.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
    Más Menos
    18 m