Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a report from The New York Times warning us how bad cattle are for the planet. Next, we meet Cornell University Graduate Student Morgan Irons. Morgan designed and performed a Mars agriculture experiment for her undergraduate thesis at Duke University. She also designed and patented a new model for a "quasi-closed, agroecological system" for extreme environment habitation on Earth and in space. Additionally, she co-founded the company, Deep Space Ecology Inc in her junior year at Duke based on the realization that no one was publicly working to answer food security questions and human sustainability in the space industry at the time. Her work is supported by the National Science Foundation through their Graduate Research Fellowship Program. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8305 Finally, Farmer Doug encourages Farm Employers to set a good example for Farm Employees and Farm Guests by wearing and requiring the use of Face Masks.

American Family Farmer

10/22/20 - What Will Agriculture Be Like in Outer Space?

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture news. Leas story is that this is National Farmers Week. Next, Monsanto continues its battle to keep use of Round-Up on American Farms. Chinese Killer Hornets are destroying our Honey Bees. And last, the Presidential Candidates are using every trick they can to buy Farm Votes. Then, we meet chef and owner of Bulrush restaurant in St. Louis, Rob Connoley. WWW.BulrushSTL.com Through research of family journals and letters from the early 1800s, Rob has uncovered over 200 years of history. History that includes the families of indigenous people, enslaved residents, and Euro-Appalachian immigrants that tamed the wild lands of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri (and tips of Oklahoma and Kansas). These are the people who defined what was Ozark cuisine. Bulrush is rooted in this food that sustained these hardy people for generations. Finally, Farmer Doug opines that farmers have to come to grips with practices that the global market is rejection.

10/15/20 - Discovering Ozark Cuisine

American Family Farmer and Host Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture News; leading off with 46-million eggs being donated to food banks by Egg Ranchers. Then, news of higher prices of hay and pumpkins, due to weather issues. Next, we meet Karin Taylor, who owns and operates the renowned animal sanctuary Mandalay Farms in Jupiter, Florida. https://www.mandalayfarms.com/ With over 250 animals it is home to a variety of furry, feathered and scaly friends including miniature horses, monkeys, miniature donkeys, horses, goats, tortoises, wallabies, llamas, turkeys, chickens, emus, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits and many more. Mandalay Farms provides a loving and pristine environment for animals, in turn providing a stable and nurturing environment for underprivileged and at-risk children and those with special needs. As COVID continues, she is reopening her farm for virtual tours and revolutionary animal therapy programs this month. Finally, Farmer Doug offers his opinion that that Farmers should encourage Farm Tourism and that Farmers adhere strictly to COVID guidelines.

10/08/20 - Visit A Place Where Forgotten Farm Animals Are Loved

Doug Stephan, Host and American Family Farmer www.eastleighfarm.com begins with ag news about the latest funding bill to help get farmers through the end of the year. Next, we meet Executive Director of Land For Good, Jim Hafner. Jim has over 25 years experience in program development, outreach and research in the fields of international agriculture, community development, and public health. Land For Good is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the future of farming in New England by putting more farmers more securely on more land. Learn more at www.landforgood.org or connect with them on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram. Here are more resources that Jim Recommends: https://newenglandfarmlandfinder.org/ - https://sustainableagriculture.net/ - https://nfu.org/ - https://nffc.net/ - https://healfoodalliance.org/ - https://www.soulfirefarm.org/ - www.http://foodchainworkers.org/ Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the loss of 2,000 acres of farmland lost every year to residential development.

09/22/20 - Getting More Farmers on More Land

American Family Farmer and Host, Doug Stephan www/eastleighfarm.com begins with Agriculture news concerning replacing Farm Workers with Robots. Next, we meet equine intuitive counselor, nutritional consultant and author Esta Bernstein. www.saffyresanctuary.org She grew up in the racing industry and has over 45years of equine experience. As the author of Changing Horses the book, and producer of Changing Horses the film, Esta embodies the knowledge of why horses are here, and embraces the teachings of horses. During her journey of the horse consciousness, and the unfolding of the horse's message, people on the same path started to come into the world of her Saffyre Sanctuary. Finally, Farmer Doug gets his chance to opine about his belief that it's time for the producers to have a say in the pricing of milk.

10/01/20 - Time to Check Your Horse Consciousness

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com began with a story about a Cornel University graduate, Bob DeCarlo, who took a job as a trainee at a 600-cow dairy. He did his job well and today the owner is grooming him to eventually take over the farm. In other Agriculture news, the venom from a honeybee's sting has been found to be a powerful anti-tumor agent for breast cancer. Next, we meet 7th generation Washington County Iowa Farmer and the Founder/CEO of Continuum Ag, Mitchell Hora. www.FIELDWORKTALK.ORG & www.CONTINUUM.AG His family's farming operation is implementing the principles of soil health and intensely monitors impact using the Haney Soil Health Test on a weekly basis. Their efforts have led to experimentation of diverse cover crops, 60" corn, interseeding, malt barley, relay cropping, mustard seed production, real-time sensors, carbon markets, and a wide array of product trials. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about why the consumer is the only hope for the Family Farm, not The Government.

09/17/20 - How To Improve Soil Health & Honeybee Venom Found to Fight Breast Cancer

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that he is considering getting back into milking cows again. And then, The Government of Mexico has banned use of Monsanto's Round Up. Next, we meet Tina and Orion Weldon, co-founders and owners of TerraPurezza, a regenerative agriculture institute and farm in Spicewood, TX. www.TerraPurezza.com They were asked by Country Music Megastar Willie Nelson, to transform their 500-acre property, Luck Ranch, into a regenerative farm. By combining traditional Regenerative Agriculture techniques with modern technology systems, they regenerate soils to build a more vibrant foundation for nutritionally-dense food. They have proven in the tough Texas terrain that these practices are not only feasible, they are also scalable on an industrial level. Their practices include rotational grazing of high-density livestock, effective water management via land augmentation, restoration of native grasses, and the highest quality of animal welfare. Finally, Doug uses his opine time to promote the upcoming Farm Aid 2020. www.farmaid.org

09/03/20 - Meet Two Farmers That Willie Nelson Asked to Transform Their 500 Acre Ranch

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with a national look at weather and how it's affected crops and how to use Crop Insurance. Then he opines about the Presidential Candidates and the USPS. Next, we meet fifth generation farmer Rick Clark. Rick has developed and is constantly improving a systematic approach to regenerative farming. https://www.farmgreen.land/ The farm strives to be a low cost input producer, while maintaining an increase in yield year over year. The farm is 100% NGMO, 100% no till, and 100% cover crop. He will suppress weeds with cover crops and he cares deeply about human health as well. Rick is building a system that will be viable and sustainable for generations to come. Finally, Doug opines that we will have to pay more for food to maintain a good, healthy and long life.

08/27/20 - Establish Regenerative Farming Practices on Your Farm

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins news about how this year's weather is affecting farming from coast to coast. Then, news that sales of irrigation systems are at a ten year high in Doug's home state, Massachusetts. Next, we meet Rachael Winfree. www.winfreelab.com Dr. Winfree is a Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources at Rutgers University. In her work she uses her training as a community ecologist to develop novel and quantitatively rigorous approaches to answering ecological questions. Most of the world's crops depend on honeybees and wild bees for pollination, so declines in both managed and wild bee populations raise concerns about food security. Her findings suggest that adopting practices that conserve or augment wild bees, such as enhancing wildflowers and using managed pollinators other than honey bees, is likely to boost yields. Finally, in Doug's commentary, he notes that $50-Billion dollars are spent annually on "so-called" Organic Foods. However, there is no real proof that imported foods are really Organic.

08/20/20 - Endangered Workers Produce $1.5-Billion Dollars A Year In Crops, But They're Not Human

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins some agri-news. Top story is how to take advantage of the Coronavirus Commodity Grants and how to get on the list. Next, we meet Zac McDaniel. He is the owner and VP of Production at First Saturday Lime, a completely safe and eco-friendly insect repellent. www.firstsaturdaylime.com He runs FirstSaturday Lime with his wife, and the CEO of FSL, Jana. Their rapid growth is partially due to their appearance on Television's "Shark Tank." Finally, Farmer Doug opines about why we should be good listeners when it comes to seeking new ideas to help make our farms safer and more productive.

08/13/20 - The Power To Grow Your Food Safely

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with good news that Financial Investors are gearing up to bet lots of their money in Farming. Next, we meet Richard Heim. He is a U.S. Drought Monitor and North American Drought Monitor author who has been involved in drought monitoring and drought research for the last three decades at the University of Nebraska. https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ Mr. Heim is a meteorologist in the Climate Monitoring section of the National Centers for Environmental Information who has been doing climate monitoring for NCEI since 1988. Finally, Farmer Doug Opines about how farmers should be using their collective rational minds to discover ways to sustain Agriculture in the future.

08/05/20 - How Badly Has The Recent Excessive Heat Effected Soil?

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about mysterious unsolicited seeds from China have been arriving all over the country. Do not open the package and do not plant the seeds! Report it to local authorities ASAP. Next, we meet former NFL star, turned Family Farmer Jason Brown. Facebook: @firstfruitsfarmnc - instagram @wisefarmerbrown - Twitter @wisefarmerbrown. After graduating from college, he was drafted by and signed a 5-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. After being released and with several lucrative offers on the table, Jason decided instead to take a leap of faith and walk away from the NFL. He purchased a 1,000-acre farm in North Carolina. www.amazinggrazeevents.com The farm has yielded one million pounds of produce which were given to food pantries and churches throughout the area. In his work through Wisdom for Life Ministries and First Fruit Farm, Jason and his wife are demonstrating how to live a life of purpose. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about Government regulations and suggest that they need to be questioned.

07/30/20 - Balancing Family and Faith

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that Bayer Pharmaceutical faces tens of thousands of claims for continuing to sell the product Round-Up without a warning label. Now, the company has agreed to pay more than $10 billion to settle its lawsuits and set aside funds for any future cases. Next, we meet Katey Evens, co-founder of The Frozen Farmer, a farm creamery that was recently featured on ABC’s Shark Tank. www.thefrozenfarmer.com She and her husband Kevin own Evans Farms, a nearly 3,000-acre produce and grain operation in Bridgeville, Delaware. The Frozen Farmer utilizes the misfit produce from Evans Farms, helping reduce food waste and creating a value-added product line. The Frozen Farmer Ice Cream treats are sold in 376 chain stores across seven states and they recently launched nationwide shipping. Finally, Farmer Doug opines why we all should teach our children where the food comes from.

07/23/20 - How Misfit Produce Reduces Waste And Provides A Great Product

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with good news that U-Pick Farms are showing great increases around the country. Also, The Government has identified 59 things that you should not use on crops. Next, we meet Nicole DelCogliano, Director of Programs & Human Relations at Organic Growers School. https://organicgrowersschool.org/ Organic Growers School is the premiere provider of practical and affordable organic education in the Southern Appalachians, building a vibrant food & farming community by boosting the success of organic home growers and farmers in their region. They provide hands-on training, workshops, conferences and partnerships inspire, educate, and support people to farm, garden, and live organically. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about managing risk on the farm, for you, your staff and your customers.

07/15/20 - How To Survive as an Organic Grower

Host and American Family Farmer Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news that COVID19 Food Assistance programs have been extended through August. Next, news about how farmers are dealing with the Summer Heat. Then, we meet Iowa State University Professor Andy VanLoocke. https://www.agron.iastate.edu/people/andy-vanloocke and http://faculty.agron.iastate.edu/vanloocke/ Andy's passion for atmospheric sciences started in undergrad when a professor showed him the impact the science would make on the world. After getting his Masters and PhD, he joined the Agronomy faculty at Iowa State. His time is divided between teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and researching how our use of the land might impact agro-ecosystem processes in tandem with global change. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the ridiculous Federally mandated One-Pay Price for Milk Producers and he suggest how we might fix it.

07/09/20 - Fed Ordered One-Pay Price For Milk is Abominable

A weekly look at trends in Family Farming and Healthy Eating.

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American Family Farmer

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