7/24/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Ben Brown, a Senior Research Associate with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). Ben’s love of farming and passion for teaching comes as no surprise when you realize he grew up in a family of teachers and farmers, and blending the two together paves new roads in farming’s future. A believer of healthy farming, Ben teaches farm management classes at Missouri University. His work as an  ag economist, Ben helps farmers, ranchers, and ag lenders, break down market trends, public policy and farm finances while also helping farmers and ag specialists make decisions for the farming success. You can learn more on fapri.missouri.edu, and find Ben X (FKA Twitter) @BenBrownMU. 

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com 
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

7/17/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Marshall Berg, a Hatch Chile expert and President and Founder of Best in the West. According to 2024 market research, consumers are increasingly seeking products that add overall flavor, cultural experience, and a little bit of heat to their meals. Until now, fresh Hatch chiles have been hard to ship, but Best in the West has found a way for everyone to enjoy these southwest flavors through a proprietary process, new production facility, and decades of experience. Never before available in the industry, Best in the West's shelf-stable organic Hatch chiles sets a new standard in culinary excellence. Their organic chile products allow manufacturers to craft authentic Hatch chile creations, confidently expanding their organic offerings. These are the first products in a total transition of the Los Roast brand to organic Hatch chile products. All Best in the West Hatch chiles are New Mexico-grown, most on fifth and sixth-generation farms. Best in the West also has plans to produce the only organic Hatch chile product on the market this upcoming season. The company's purpose-built facility utilizes automated processing equipment to achieve authentic products at scale. They can flame roast, peel, dice, purée, and package Hatch chiles and any other variety of pepper. Their process is informed by over a decade of seeking out the best solutions for roasting, storage, and transportation. Best in the West's facility does not process products containing allergens or potential GMO ingredients. 

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

7/10/24 - Do you know how to protect your livestock when severe weather strikes? With NOAA predicting 17-25 named storms and 8-13 hurricanes, we have a conversation to help you better prepare. Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Dr. Sandra Faeh, chief veterinary officer for National Veterinary Associates and President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org). Serving more than 105,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation’s leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members’ unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health. Dr. Faeh shares tips on protecting your animals and pets by being weather aware, having an emergency kit at the ready, what kind of IDs to have for your pets, having an evacuation plan when necessary, 
working with your neighbors to keep pets and livestock safe, and being aware of your nearest 24/7 veterinarian. 
 
For more information on evacuation kits for pets -- which includes several days of food, medicine, first aid kit and other necessary travel supplies and medical documents - visit  https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/aph-pet-evacuation-kit-checklist.pdf.

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

7/3/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Kristen Worthington of Worthington Pecan Farms, located in New Mexico (worthingtonpecanfarm.com).  Pecan oil is quickly becoming the go-to oil for health conscious consumers. Pecans are starting to play a big role in not only the food industry, but the beauty industry as well. They’re naturally high in fiber and low in carbohydrates, they have a high smoking point and can handle cooking with the hottest grills or fryers, they’re big on flavor and are good for the body, inside and out. Pecan oil naturally contains vitamin A, vitamin E, Zinc, and Magnesium. At Worthington Pecan Farms, Kristen and her family/team aim to inspire others to love and appreciate pecans through their products, recipes, and educational behind the scenes videos. Find them on Facebook @PecansWhoKnew and Instagram @worthingtonpecanfarm.

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

6/26/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Tom Hanson, from Hanson’s Farm in Framingham, MA, is a third generation farmer and longtime friend of Doug and joins the American Family Farmer program to discuss his family farm, the You-Pick strawberry season, and the hardships of getting started. Growing strawberries is more labor intensive that other crops and falls at the mercy of the weather year-after-year, which dwindles down more smaller operations. The conversation not only provides further proof of importance of supporting family farms, but the benefits of how important local farms are to families in the communities they serve. Learn more information, and visit the farm and farm stand, at hansonsfarmframingham.com.


Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com 
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

6/19/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to horse handler Helena Peterson started off in her youth as an equestrian, when she realized how many horses need rescued and started her own equine sanctuary. Doug and Helena take us on an educational journey on horse nutrition, who are herbivores, and the additives and fillers in store-bought horse feed. Plus, the average longevity of horses in captivity, the maintenance included in having horses, why you should never own just one horse, and how to get youngsters involved with horse safety and handling.

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com 
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

6/12/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Stephanie Shepard Barnett and Steve Barnett of The Strawberry Patch at Shepard Farms, a family farm known for their delicious strawberries.

Recently, The Strawberry Patch at Shepard Farms partnered with Robertson County Schools (near Nashville) to provide local produce to students. The Robertson County Schools Nutrition Department and the local family farm began a partnership with Shepard Farms supplying strawberries to area schools as part of a new produce partnership between local farms and the district’s nutrition department.

While the program, which began on April 29, has come to an end for this school year, they look forward to begin again with a new school year. Strawberries are still available to the general public at the Shepard's Strawberry patch. For hours of operation, pre-picked and you-pick availability and pricing, visit their Facebook Page - just search “The Strawberry Patch at Shepard Farms.

Find them on Facebook @ The Strawberry Patch at Shepard Farms, or visit the farm in Cedar Hill, TN - 1336 Walter Head Road, Cedar Hill, TN, United States, Tennessee.


Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com 
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

6/5/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) introduces us to Stephanie Shepler-Harren of Chosen Weeds Farm, maker of 100% Goat Milk Soaps (TheChosenWeeds.com).

Chosen Weeds farm was born out of a desire to create a place of sustainability and service to the community. Stephanie wanted to fashion a place where people were free to see how animals and plants can be raised with love, where they could be assured that the products they buy are authentic, and they were free to ask questions to learn and grow into their authentic self.

Stephanie Shepler-Harren is a certified fitness nutritionist, an avid outdoors woman, and has a driving desire for Truth. Her passion of knowledge and understanding lead her down a path that she would have never imagined a few years ago. A journey where her beliefs have repeatedly been put to the test through many hardships.

Right now they are raising Nubian dairy goats, chickens, and have started what she hopes to be a sustainable food forest on her property. The goal is to be as self-sustainable as possible, greatly increase the quality of food that we consume and serve, and help like-minded individuals.

From Stephanie: “Authentic people are hard to come by, and people that actually live out their beliefs seem to be an endangered species. I believe that my life story is becoming a testament to what can be accomplished when people know what they believe and refuse to compromise on their core values regardless of what they may endure. I hope my actions will inspire my children and many others to turn away from lives of compromise and live out the life they were created to live.”

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

5/22/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Alexandria Ward, Farm Aid’s Farmer Services Network Manager, for a focus on Farm Aid’s Mental Health Hotline, aiming to provide aid to Farmers nationwide. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health issues are a major concern for all types of workers in the farming and agriculture industry. Farm Aid’s hotline operators are familiar with agriculture and with resources for farmers around  the country; they work with hotline callers to find the best resources for their individual  situation, whether they are looking for assistance with farm stress, financial issues, legal  questions or business-related questions.  All farmers  can call the hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). The Hotline hours are M-F,  9am-9pm ET and 6am-6pm PT. The suicide rate has been higher for farmers than for the general  population for decades, and a 2017 front-page story in The Guardian brought it to America’s attention. It’s a harsh reality about farmers: people working in agriculture in the U.S.  — including farmers, farm laborers, ranchers, fishers and lumber harvesters — take their lives  at a rate higher than any other occupation.  

Alexandria comes to the Farm Aid  team from a varied background in food systems. Most recently Alexandria worked in the  farmers market world where she supported a large network of farmers and producers in the  Mid-Atlantic. Her work has also included academic research, policy, and advocacy. Alexandria  is constantly inspired by the farmers in this country, and the individuals and organizations that  have worked tirelessly to support small scale agriculture, and sustainable and equitable food  systems.

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com introduces us to Alexis Burnham, of Burnham Orchards. https://www.burnhamorchards.com The Burnham Family Farm dates back to the early 1800s when William and Eleanor Tillinghast received 160 acres of land in the Firelands of Ohio. From juicy apples to succulent peaches, they grow fruits that delight your taste buds directly to the public at their 200 year old farm. You can pick your own in season, visit Grandma Bea's Bakery, The Market, and The Tap Room.