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  • The Future of Farming: How FFA Is Growing the Next Generation of Agriculture

    The Future of Farming: How FFA Is Growing the Next Generation of Agriculture
    2026/09/23
    With more than a million members nationwide, the National FFA Organization is helping introduce a new generation to the enormous range of opportunities available in agriculture.

    This week on *American Family Farmer*, host Doug Stephan welcomes Kristy Meyer of the National FFA Organization for a look at the future of farming and the upcoming 99th National FFA Convention & Expo.

    Kristy takes listeners inside the convention, from its growth and changing attendance needs to more than 350 exhibitors helping students explore potential careers. She explains how FFA combines classroom education, hands-on agricultural experiences and leadership development while remaining deeply connected to local chapters and the communities they serve.

    Doug and Kristy also discuss opportunities for young people who may not have grown up on a farm. A single farm visit, mentor or hands-on experience can introduce students to careers they may never have considered—from production agriculture and agricultural education to science, technology and countless other areas supporting the food system.

    The conversation also explores the growing role of women in FFA leadership, the need for more agricultural educators, how sponsorships help support FFA programs while maintaining the organization’s educational mission, and where FFA members go after graduation.

    It’s an encouraging look at the students, teachers and communities preparing to lead American agriculture into its next

    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    20 分
  • Land, Labels and the Fight to Keep American Farmers Farming

    Land, Labels and the Fight to Keep American Farmers Farming
    2026/09/23
    From development pressures and equipment repairs to food security and corporate control of agriculture, America’s farmers are facing challenges that extend far beyond the fields.

    This week on *American Family Farmer*, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) examines some of the biggest issues affecting the future of farming and our food supply.

    Doug looks at land-use concerns surrounding a proposed aluminum smelter in Oklahoma and the broader competition for agricultural land as major development projects expand. He also examines imported beef, food safety and efforts to strengthen country-of-origin labeling so consumers have more information about where their food comes from.

    The conversation turns to the growing “right to repair” battle as increasingly sophisticated farm equipment can require specialized technicians and proprietary technology to fix—potentially leaving farmers with higher costs and costly downtime. Doug also discusses concerns over corporate control of patented seeds, the continuing decline of small dairy farms and legislative efforts aimed at creating fairer agricultural markets.

    There’s innovation, too. Doug explores how cherry growers are using falcons and other birds of prey as a natural form of pest control, offering an example of how farmers can find creative solutions that may reduce reliance on conventional pest-management methods.

    Plus, with delays surrounding the Farm Bill and continued debate over agricultural policy, Doug looks at what these decisions—and indecision—could mean for family farmers and the future of American agriculture.

    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    18 分
  • Growing Up, Not Out: How Vertical Farming Could Bring Fresh Food Closer to Home

    Growing Up, Not Out: How Vertical Farming Could Bring Fresh Food Closer to Home
    2026/09/16
    What if more of the produce in your grocery store could be grown just miles away instead of traveling across the country?

    This week on *American Family Farmer*, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) welcomes Aaron Fields of Eden Green Technology to explore how vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture could help reshape the way America grows and distributes fresh food.

    Aaron shares his background in agriculture and greenhouse production and explains the story behind Eden Green Technology, whose founders set out to develop a more localized approach to growing food. He breaks down how the company uses greenhouses and vertical growing systems to produce crops year-round while using significantly less land than traditional farming.

    Doug and Aaron also examine one of the biggest challenges in our current food system: distance. Produce can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles before reaching consumers, affecting freshness while adding complexity to the supply chain. Eden Green’s model places growing facilities near distribution centers, allowing food to move from harvest to store shelves much more quickly.
    They also discuss partnerships with local farmers and universities, Eden Green’s work in Texas, and the potential for controlled environment agriculture to complement traditional farming rather than replace it.

    It’s a conversation about innovation, decentralizing the food supply and what could happen when we start growing more of our food closer to the communities that eat it.


    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks


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    21 分
  • From Screwworms to Smartphones: New Challenges Facing Rural America

    From Screwworms to Smartphones: New Challenges Facing Rural America
    2026/09/16
    From an old agricultural threat making a troubling return to new research that could change the way farmers manage pests, this week on *American Family Farmer*, host Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) looks at a range of issues affecting farmers, families and rural communities.

    Doug begins with concerns surrounding the New World screwworm and the USDA’s response, including funding aimed at prevention and efforts to expand sterile fly production—a longtime method of controlling the destructive pest. He examines questions surrounding funding, preparedness and what a potential outbreak could mean for American livestock producers.

    The conversation also turns to promising agricultural research involving hemp cannabinoids as natural pest deterrents. Doug speaks with horticulture expert Aaron Fields about the possibility of using compounds produced by hemp plants as alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides and what that research could eventually mean for growers.

    Doug also remembers the legacy of writer, farmer and rural advocate Wendell Berry and his decades of work championing family farms, local communities and agrarian values.

    Plus, the show takes a broader look at life beyond the farm, including growing concerns about smartphone dependence, screen time and what some researchers and health professionals describe as “digital dementia.” It’s a wide-ranging look at agriculture, innovation and the forces shaping rural America today.

    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 分
  • Beef Imports, Seed Control and the Policies Shaping American Farming

    Beef Imports, Seed Control and the Policies Shaping American Farming
    2026/09/09
    What happens in Washington has a direct impact on America’s family farmers.

    This week on *American Family Farmer*, host Doug Stephan examines several developing issues affecting agriculture, from foreign beef imports and the outdated Farm Bill to seed trading and the ongoing debate over glyphosate.

    Doug begins with the controversy surrounding imported beef and whether bringing in more foreign product actually lowers prices for American consumers. He also looks at consolidation within the meatpacking industry, government regulations affecting meat processing, and the challenges domestic cattle producers face in an increasingly global food system.

    The conversation turns to seed trading and concerns over who controls the seeds farmers rely on, along with the global nature of organic food production and questions surrounding where America’s food really comes from. Doug also examines industrial poultry farming, food safety and the political divide over glyphosate and Roundup.

    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 分
  • Farm Aid: How Music, Community and Family Farmers Come Together

    Farm Aid: How Music, Community and Family Farmers Come Together
    2026/09/09
    For more than 40 years, Farm Aid has been bringing farmers, musicians and communities together to shine a spotlight on the people who grow America’s food. This week on *American Family Farmer,'" host Doug Stephan welcomes Jennifer Fahy of Farm Aid to talk about the organization’s mission, the challenges facing family farmers and how one music festival has grown into a powerful voice for rural America.

    Jennifer discusses the pressures farmers are facing from outdated agricultural policies and why supporting independent family farms is about keeping individual operations in business, and about strengthening rural communities and building a more sustainable food system.

    She also takes listeners inside this year’s Farm Aid festival in Virginia Beach, from the artists taking the stage to the Homegrown Village, where festivalgoers can learn more about farming, food and sustainable agriculture. Jennifer explains how money raised through Farm Aid supports organizations and services working directly with farmers throughout the country.

    It’s a conversation about food, farming, advocacy and the unique power of music to bring people together around a shared goal: keeping family farmers on the land and good food on our tables.

    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    20 分
  • America’s Food Fight: Beef Imports, Industrial Chicken and What’s Really on Our Plates

    America’s Food Fight: Beef Imports, Industrial Chicken and What’s Really on Our Plates
    2026/09/02
    From the farm to the grocery store, government policy and industry decisions have a major impact on what Americans eat, and on the farmers who produce it.

    This week, host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) takes a closer look at some of the biggest issues shaping American agriculture and our food supply.

    Doug begins with beef, examining the debate over import tariffs and what lowering them could mean for American consumers and domestic cattle producers. He then turns to the enormous scale of industrial chicken production, raising questions about farming practices, bacterial contamination and food safety.

    The conversation expands into what Doug calls America’s ongoing “food fight,” where agriculture, politics, public health and powerful industry interests collide. He looks at the debate surrounding federal dietary guidelines, the growing concern over ultra-processed foods, environmental considerations and the influence of the food industry on programs like SNAP.

    Who ultimately decides what constitutes a healthy American diet, and how do those decisions affect the family farmers producing our food? Doug breaks down the policies, competing interests and consequences behind the headlines.

    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 分
  • From Family Farm to Cow Safaris: How Eastley Farm Turned Agritourism Into an Experience

    From Family Farm to Cow Safaris: How Eastley Farm Turned Agritourism Into an Experience
    2026/09/02
    What happens when a traditional family farm combines agriculture, creativity and the power of social media?

    Host Doug Stephan (www.eastleighfarm.com) is joined by his son Brendan for a conversation about the evolution of Eastleigh Farm and the innovative ideas helping bring a new generation of visitors, and income, to the farm.

    At the center of the story is Eastleigh Farm’s “cow safari,” a unique agritourism experience that gives visitors an up-close look at farm life. What started as a creative idea became a major attraction, with one Instagram video generating enough attention to sell out tickets for the entire year.

    Doug and Brendan discuss how social media has transformed the farm’s visibility, the changes that grew out of the COVID era, and why creating memorable experiences can help family farms develop new revenue streams beyond traditional agriculture.

    They also talk about what it means to run a multigenerational family operation, the different ways family members contribute, succession planning, and the importance of preserving the farm’s history while continuing to evolve.

    It’s a look at how storytelling, innovation and a willingness to try something different can help keep the family farm, and its legacy, growing.

    For more on the American Family Farmer…
    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    21 分