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 original formulas, and recommitting to transparency, community, and environmental stewardship. Along the way, listeners get a glimpse into daily life on the farm, tending animals, starting seeds for Colorado’s short growing season, and keeping the land at the heart of the business.

This conversation highlights resilience, responsible growth, and the enduring connection between agriculture, wellness, and family enterprise.

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 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 news to his opine segment, starting with the rhetorical question of what is keeping you up at night. Items such as the depressed grain prices, high cost of machinery, dissatisfaction with federal leadership in ag policy come to mind. 

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

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 through rotational grazing and ecological monitoring.

From cover crops and seed trials to composting, conservation planning, and the future of sustainable farming, this episode is packed with real-world insight from someone doing the work at the highest level—every single day.

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 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 areas—celebrated the wolves’ comeback as a conservation win, the growing population, now estimated at roughly 50 to 70 animals, has led to increasing and sometimes devastating livestock losses that threaten ranchers’ livelihoods.

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

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 Breakfast, housed in a beautifully renovated 3,000-square-foot barn featuring five guest rooms. Staying at Cool Cow isn’t just a getaway—it’s an immersive farm experience. Guests are invited to roll up their sleeves and participate in the cheesemaking process, gaining a hands-on appreciation for the craftsmanship and care behind every wheel and wedge.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in agritourism, small family farms, artisan cheese, or what it really means to build a values-driven agricultural business from the ground up—one cool cow at a time. 

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 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 collateral damage of the trade wars and what it’s doing to our farms, the cost of fertilizer, and building materials. 

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

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 results in healthier animals and richer food for local families and chefs alike.

Eliza also brings her veterinary knowledge to the conversation, discussing how careful attention to animal health, nutrition, and environment can reduce the reliance on medicated interventions and instead support naturally resilient livestock. Whether talking about pig diets rooted in diverse pasture forage or managing flock health in a way that honors each animal’s innate behaviors, her insights are grounded in both compassion and practical experience.

Beyond the fields, her farm’s products, especially pasture-raised pork from heritage breeds like Gloucestershire Old Spots and Ossabaw Island crosses, have earned a devoted following at local markets and specialty butcher shops, where customers seek out meat raised with transparency and integrity.

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
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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 organizations, always prioritizing the well-being of the horse.

Doug and Heidi also discuss the rescue’s powerful educational mission. Angels Haven partners with youth groups, community organizations, and therapeutic programs to teach compassion, responsibility, and proper horse care, benefiting not just the animals, but the people whose lives they touch, including children, families, and individuals dealing with trauma, autism, and PTSD.

If you’ve ever wondered how horse rescues operate, why education is key to preventing neglect, or how agriculture and compassion intersect, this is a must-listen episode. Learn more, get involved, or support the mission at angelshavenhorserescue.org.

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 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 past year and think about what you want to change or try for an upcoming season. 

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks