Wednesday, April 2 -  Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on what’s going on with our federal government and some of the programs that’ve been important for American farmers, Bayer and Monsanto fight to take away Americans’ right to know about pesticide toxicity and take away the right to sue these companies for failure to warn consumers, a push to cut down the price of eggs amid continued avian influenza concerns, and consumers swapping hen eggs for turkey eggs. Then, Doug introduces us to Jim Lowe, the owner of Lowe Family Farmstead in Kuna, ID. Lowe Family Farmstead is Idaho's most popular fall destination with their biggest time of year being the fall. They hav u-pick pumpkin options, an acclaimed corn-maze, raising beef and other livestock, too. Other options for guests, include an authentic tractor-drawn hayride, wandering through their beautiful flower field, enjoying some farm-fresh food, and of course, and more. Jim grew up farming and ranching but didn’t have a generational family farm to grow with his family. A common discussion on the American Family Farmer program is the difficulty first generation farmers face without an inheritance of land, making it nearly impossible to become a farmer. Jim has a degree in Ag Business, so the idea of agritourism appealed as a niche market that could overcome the obstacles of traditional agriculture, which he and his wife, Hillary, moved forward with the efforts. Years later, they have their Lowe Family Farmstead, offering a creative twist on agriculture that taps into the heart of Idaho. You can find more information, and plan your own visit, on LoweFamilyFarmstead.com. Lastly, Doug shares his final thoughts and opinions on the privilege it truly is to be a farmer, why family farming is such a tough business, reflecting on what farming is really all about, and why it’s a calling. 

Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
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