American Family Farmer

By: Doug Stephan
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  • Summary

  • A weekly look at trends in Family Farming and Healthy Eating.
    Copyright Doug Stephan
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Economics Management Management & Leadership
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Episodes
  • Turning Food Waste Into Energy On the Farm

    Turning Food Waste Into Energy On the Farm
    Mar 12 2025
    Wednesday, March 12 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the new administration, including Brooke Rollins, the diversity in new farmers and why it’s difficult to become a 1st generation farmer in today’s society, discussions in Congress of a new Farm Bill, the continuously rising cost of eggs, and the new news on cattle markets with prices going up. Next, Doug introduces us to Brett Reinford of Reinford Farms, located in the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania (ReinfordFarms.com). Dairy farming has been the livelihood of Reinford Farms for several generations, but then they stumbled upon the idea of recycling food waste in an effort to be more sustainable and turn it into energy. It started with turning the cow manure on the farm into energy, and then they made an investment in an anaerobic digester where they provide a sustainable solution to the massive food waste problem in our country. Lastly, Farmer Doug opines what farmers could be doing on their own farms (and what he could be doing on his own farm) to make the farm more viable, more accessible and top-of-mind for members of the community. What added value can you incorporate into your business model on your farm?

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    36 mins
  • ...And Everybody Calls It The Sugar Shack

    ...And Everybody Calls It The Sugar Shack
    Mar 5 2025
    Wednesday, March 5 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the rising price of eggs and how much of it is because of the Avian Flu vs grocery stores raising prices because of supply and demand and many local farmers have not risen their prices when you visit and buy from them directly; and why hobby/backyard farmers should pay attention to what’s going on because they’re not exempt from having their hens contract the bird flu either. Doug also discusses things for farmers to watch in our nation’s capital with the new administration with the EPA, the tariffs, the farm bill, immigration, the tax bill and how it all impacts family farmers. Then, Doug introduces us to his friends, Nate and Judi Shattuck of Shattuck’s Sugarhouse. Judi and her late-husband, Wil, started the sugaring their parents suggested the endeavor and now Judi continues with her son, Nate. Shattuck’s Sugarhouse has been producing maple syrup for nearly 50 years on their family farm in Belchertown, Massachusetts. It’s a small family operated sugarhouse located in a quiet wooded area and their registered Devon cattle. During the sugaring season, they offer group tours, and their maple products include maple syrup, maple cream and maple candy, available year round, and they offer shipping. You can find them online at fb.com/shattuckssugarhouse. Lastly, Farmer Doug opines how social media groups are pushing negative comments and affecting family farmers and why we should all make it a priority to go online and leave positive reviews.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks













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    36 mins
  • Respect For the Animals

    Respect For the Animals
    Feb 26 2025
    Wednesday, February 26 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the Senate’s overwhelming approval of Brooke Rollins for United States Secretary of Agriculture, new findings that the avian flu has hit cattle more severely than originally suspected, and a report on the American Soybean Association and the American Sugar Beet Growers Association calling on the EPA to work with them to reform the endangered species act and how it applies to pesticides. Next, Doug introduces us to Claire Benjack of River Road Farm in Franklin, VA (RiverRoadFarmVA.com). Claire explains her farm is more of a passion project as they barely break even, but he priority remains to put healthy food people can feed to their children, which is a big reason her eggs are so popular — not only are they healthy, but she refuses to raise her prices. When Claire was 10, she asked for a farm. Her dad had been thinking about buying a farm on which to raise cattle. This farm in Franklin came on the market, so he bout it and had a short stint in finishing cattle. Up to a thousand head roamed the family acreage. The farm ended up being unsuccessful, so he moved on, and then passed away in 2001. Claire read “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” a nonfiction book investigating the environmental and animal welfare effects of various food choices, when she decided to get into farming again. Claire sunk a bunch of money into fencing, started with 5 cows and sold those to friends. She slowly grew to where the farm is today, using money that her dad had invested for her. Claire says they never break even on the farm, and calls it her lemonade stand; it keeps her busy. Claire’s husband had the idea of holding concerts on the property, and they gave all the money to the local food bank. They consider themselves more philanthropists than farmers. At River Road Farm, they care deeply about the food they eat, and that’s why the farm abides by the philosophy of grass-feeding their cattle, naturally, in order to create the most wholesome and high-quality beef. A strict grass-only diet, as opposed to a grain-based diet, gives cattle a higher quality of life, which in turn provides a higher quality, more heart-healthy product. Lastly, Farmer Doug opines why smaller farms are better than the big agri-business farms and why respecting the animals and the land on farms is imperative to contributing to healthy, better quality food for our loved ones.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    37 mins

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