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 for what Sunny Mary Meadow would become.

Tragedy struck in December 2020 when Josh passed away unexpectedly, and Liz discovered she was pregnant with their second child the day after his funeral. Named in memory of Josh’s mother, Sunny Mary Meadow continues to bloom as a tribute to love, resilience, and the dreams Liz and Josh once shared.

Now remarried and raising her daughters on the same land Josh hoped they’d grow up on, Liz talks with Doug about the evolution of the farm, the power of agritourism, and how flowers became both a livelihood and a lifeline.

In addition to farming, Liz is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and storyteller. She also previews her upcoming memoir, Flowers Bloom Anyway: Rebuilding a Life You Didn’t Choose, releasing March 3, 2026—a powerful reflection on grief, resilience, and choosing to move forward with intention.

Learn more about the farm at sunnymarymeadow.com, and discover Liz’s story and book at lizfiedlermergen.com, or pre-order at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-anyway-a-memoir-liz-fiedler-mergen/1148638651?ean=9781636989273


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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. 

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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 protected open space, Eastleigh Farm has continually evolved while remaining a cornerstone of the Framingham community. Doug discussed his 2002 decision to purchase the property to prevent development and ensure agriculture could continue on the land he loved.

We also learn about the farm’s modern transformation—from a traditional dairy operation to a cow sanctuary and educational farm. Doug explained the difficult decision to step away from raw milk production and how that pivotal moment led him to “think outside the box” to keep the farm viable. Today, Eastleigh Farm is a vibrant animal sanctuary and community destination, featuring artisan shops, family events, historic barns, and seasonal favorites like the iconic Moo Bus ice cream. 

Mike and Doug wrapped up the episode by discussing the realities of day-to-day life on the farm, from the intensity of peak season to the quieter rhythms of the off-season, and the year-round care required for cows and other animals. At its heart, this episode is a story about stewardship—of land, history, animals, and community—and a powerful reminder of why family farms matter now more than ever. To learn more about Doug Stephan, Eastleigh Farm, and The American Family Farmer, visit dougstephan.com/americanfamilyfarmer.

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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. 

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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 operates a farm stay near Louisville, Kentucky. At the same time, he helps farm and forest owners across the country gain clarity through objective business assessments, enterprise analysis, business valuations, and proactive tax planning.

In this episode, Doug and Kevin discuss why many farmers struggle to evaluate profitability, the importance of third-party financial analysis, how business valuations play a critical role in succession and transition planning, and why year-round tax strategy (not last-minute filing) can make or break a farm’s financial future.

Whether you’re a multigenerational farmer, a new landowner, or planning the next phase of your operation, this conversation offers practical insight to help you make informed, confident decisions for your farm and family.

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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. 

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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 discuss how Heritage Farms has expanded into a true destination experience, offering wreaths, greenery, ornaments, seasonal events like Pumpkin Pandemonium, and even on-farm stays through Airbnb and Hipcamp. From holiday traditions to agritourism, this episode highlights how one family farm continues to create meaningful memories nearly 175 years later.

It’s a conversation about stewardship, service, and the power of family farming to evolve while staying rooted in tradition.

Learn more at HeritageFarms.com. 

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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.  

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
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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-based 4-H project evolved into a regional pudding brand, why pudding became a “farm-saver” during tough times for dairy, what it really takes to run on-farm food manufacturing, how Certified Humane practices helped them stand out and reach new markets, the role of sustainability, from feeding spent brewery grain to partnering with local farmers, and why loving the act of feeding people is at the heart of everything they do.

This episode is a must-listen for farmers exploring diversification, consumers curious about where their food comes from, and anyone inspired by family-run businesses that adapt, innovate, and endure.

Visit them at EchoFarmPuddings.com and Like them on Facebook. 

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