Épisodes

  • You Say Potato, I Say Potato

    You Say Potato, I Say Potato
    Sep 10 2025
    This week, Doug Stephan (EastleighFarm.com) welcomes Andrew Mickelson, sixth-generation Idaho farmer and Chief Technology Officer at Mickelsen Farms (MickelsenFarms.com), one of the region’s largest potato producers.

    The Mickelsen family has been growing potatoes and grains for generations, building a legacy rooted in hard work, innovation, and community. Andrew shares insights into the family’s diverse operations — from growing Russet Burbank and Norkotah potatoes for the fresh market, to producing seed potatoes under Yellowstone Seed, to packing and processing through Rigby Produce and Potato Products of Idaho.

    In addition to running day-to-day farm operations, Andrew is also a strong advocate for the Right to Repair movement, pushing for farmers to have access to the tools and diagnostic codes needed to fix their own equipment.

    His leadership highlights how family farmers are not just feeding America, but also shaping the future of agriculture.

    Tune in to hear Andrew’s story of family, advocacy, and the technology that keeps America’s farms thriving.


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 min
  • Wolves Don't Like AC/DC

    Wolves Don't Like AC/DC
    Sep 10 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares why he created the American Family Farmer program before jumping into the news affecting family farmers, beginning with a story from Florida and how farmers are plowing over perfectly good tomatoes as the tariff policies are costing prices to go down.

    The latest on how the I.C.E. raids are affecting small farmers. Then, the problem in most parts of the U.S. with attacks on cattle by wolves and coyotes.

    Apparently, there are drones being used to deter the wolves in order to protect the cattle — and the drones are blasting AC/DC music to chase the wolves and coyotes away.

    Next up, Doug thinks about the problems that keep coming up with getting fresh vegetables and having a source, and how many are thinking about starting their own vegetable garden.

    Doug also shares information on the agri-hood he’s developing.


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    18 min
  • Women Inspiring Women

    Women Inspiring Women
    Sep 3 2025
    On this episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) welcomes Svitlana “Lana” Synkovska, Portfolio Director of Women in Agribusiness (WIA): http://womeninag.com.

    They discuss:

    👩‍🌾 How Women in Agribusiness is empowering women across the agriculture and food sectors
    🌍 The growth of the WIA community — from 200 attendees in 2012 to over 1,000 in 2024
    🤝 Networking, events, and initiatives helping women build careers in agribusiness
    🏆 The Demeter Award of Excellence and how it honors women breaking barriers
    🎓 Student scholarships that connect young leaders with career opportunities
    📅 What to expect at the upcoming 14th Annual WIA Summit in Orlando, September 22–24

    It’s an inspiring look at how women are shaping the future of agriculture through innovation, leadership, and collaboration.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    20 min
  • Screw the Screwworm

    Screw the Screwworm
    Sep 3 2025
    On this episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) shares why he created the program and why supporting family farms matters more than ever.

    He covers:

    🏡 Brooke Rollins’ plans for rural development funds and how they’ll impact farmers
    📜 The “Big Beautiful Bill” and key highlights that affect agriculture
    🌽 Rising corn prices and what that means for farmers
    🚫 The spread of the screwworm, new bans on Mexican livestock imports, and even a rare human case
    🇺🇸 Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” push
    🌱 Why some farmers resist restrictions on Monsanto and similar products

    It’s an honest look at the challenges and opportunities facing America’s family farmers today.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    18 min
  • Farm Aid at 40: Supporting Family Farmers with Jennifer Fahy

    Farm Aid at 40: Supporting Family Farmers with Jennifer Fahy
    Aug 27 2025
    For 40 years, Farm Aid has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with family farmers, ensuring they can stay on their land and thrive despite corporate pressures, bad policies, and climate challenges. In this episode of American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes Jennifer Fahy, Co-Executive Director and longtime Communications Director of Farm Aid.

    Jennifer shares how Farm Aid began as a one-day benefit concert in 1985 — founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp — and has since grown into a powerful nonprofit movement raising over $60 million to keep family farmers farming. We dive into the upcoming Farm Aid 40 festival in Minneapolis, the importance of Homegrown Concessions® and Homegrown Village, and the ongoing fight for a fair and sustainable food system.

    🎶 Plus, get the inside scoop on this year’s incredible lineup, from Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews to Wynonna Judd, Kenny Chesney, and more.

    👉 Learn more at FarmAid.org.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    18 min
  • The Challenges and Changes Facing Today’s Family Farmers

    The Challenges and Changes Facing Today’s Family Farmers
    Aug 27 2025
    In this episode of American Family Farmer, host and farmer Doug Stephan of Eastleigh Farm shares why he created this program — to give voice to the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of America’s family farmers.

    Doug dives into the latest news shaping agriculture, including:
    🌱 The One Big Beautiful Bill, with key estate planning and tax changes
    🌱 Shifts in health policy taking a softer approach to corporate regulation
    🌱 An update on the screwworm and what farmers need to know
    🌱 Why farming looks different as larger companies take over more operations
    🌱 The harsh reality that many farm owners must work outside jobs just to sustain their farms.

    It’s a candid look at the pressures family farmers face today — and why supporting them is more important than ever.


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    18 min
  • Seeds of Change: Building a Diverse and Resilient Organic Future with Jared Zystro

    Seeds of Change: Building a Diverse and Resilient Organic Future with Jared Zystro
    Aug 20 2025
    This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan (EastleighFarm.com) welcomes Jared Zystro, Research & Education Director of the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA). For more than two decades, OSA has worked to put the power of seed back into the hands of growers through research, education, advocacy, and community-building.

    Jared shares how OSA is confronting the challenges of seed industry consolidation, advancing organic plant breeding, and ensuring farmers have access to diverse, high-quality organic seed. He also discusses OSA’s vision for a resilient and equitable future of food—where seed is stewarded by interconnected communities across the country.

    From the history of seed preservation to the fight for farmers’ rights to save seed, this conversation sheds light on why seed sovereignty is essential for the health of our farms, food systems, and future generations.

    Learn more about Organic Seed Alliance at SeedAlliance.org.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 min
  • Farm Bill 2.0, Land Security, and the Time Management Key to Farming Success

    Farm Bill 2.0, Land Security, and the Time Management Key to Farming Success
    Aug 20 2025
    This week on American Family Farmer, host and farmer Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) shares the latest news impacting small farmers across the U.S. Doug breaks down the “Big Beautiful Bill,” being called Farm Bill 2.0, which includes:
    • Higher statutory references for all commodity program crops 🌾
    • Increased agricultural spending 💵
    • More affordable crop insurance 🌱
    • Expanded foreign market development in favor of U.S.-owned land 🇺🇸
    He also covers the reintroduction of the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, designed to expand farmer-led conservation education and technical assistance—especially for underserved farmers and high-poverty areas. Other topics include the new U.S. Farm Security Plan, challenging Chinese ownership of farmland and major agribusinesses, and Doug’s own reflections on what makes family farm operations successful. His conclusion? Time management is the most critical variable. For many farmers, balancing off-farm income with the demands of the land is the reality—and not always sustainable. Doug shares his perspective as both a broadcaster and working farmer on how to navigate these challenges.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    18 min