Episodes

  • Heritage Farms: Five Generations of Family Farming in Ohio

    Heritage Farms: Five Generations of Family Farming in Ohio
    Dec 24 2025
    This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan heads to the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio, to visit with George Haramis, fifth-generation owners of Heritage Farms.

    Founded in 1848, Heritage Farms has evolved alongside American agriculture—transforming over the generations from canal boat building to potatoes, dairy, beef cattle, and today, one of Northeast Ohio’s most beloved Christmas tree farms. George shares how honoring family legacy while adapting to changing times has been key to the farm’s longevity and success.

    Learn what sets Heritage Farms apart, from its iconic scenic location and wide variety of cut-your-own and fresh-cut Christmas trees, including Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Blue Spruce, to the high level of personal service that ensures every tree thrives long after it leaves the farm. George also explains why education is such a big part of their mission, teaching customers exactly how to care for their trees at home.

    Doug and George also discuss how Heritage Farms has expanded into a true destination experience, offering wreaths, greenery, ornaments, seasonal events like Pumpkin Pandemonium, and even on-farm stays through Airbnb and Hipcamp. From holiday traditions to agritourism, this episode highlights how one family farm continues to create meaningful memories nearly 175 years later.

    It’s a conversation about stewardship, service, and the power of family farming to evolve while staying rooted in tradition.

    Learn more at HeritageFarms.com.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 mins
  • Where's the Money?

    Where's the Money?
    Dec 24 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with the latest information on tariffs and how family farmers are being affected, government assistance set aside for farmers to be distributed between now and the end of February, and questioning why there is more money being made available to bail out farmers in Argentina than farmers in our own country.

    Next up, Doug covers statistical changes from the number of farms in America in the 1920s verses now, 100 years later. When you compare and combine that with the income of selling crops and how it’s gone down since the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant drop over just 3 years.

    Lastly, Doug shifts into end-of-the-year thoughts and some ideas of finding gifts for your favorite farmer. Gifts that serve a purpose are always nice, like warm boots, slippers, snacks, funny farmer socks, and even a farmstead gift box.

    It’s an enlightening and informative discussion you won’t want to miss.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 mins
  • American Family Farmers Are Caught in the Middle of the Political Battle

    American Family Farmers Are Caught in the Middle of the Political Battle
    Dec 17 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with word of $12 Billion in aide for farmers in our country, how tariffs are affecting small farmers, and management of taxes for farmers.

    Then, Doug shares his opinions on the top news stories of the week in farming and agriculture and why the chaos of the trade policy is causing more questions than answers week after week. When you look at the recent announcements of trade deals, promises and substantial relief coming to farmers, one can’t help but question the poor management for causing this in the first place. While Democrats are busy blaming Republicans and Republicans are busy blaming Democrats, American family farmers are caught in the middle.

    It’s an enlightening and informative discussion you won’t want to miss.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    20 mins
  • From 4-H Project to Pudding Empire: How Two Sisters Saved Their Family Dairy

    From 4-H Project to Pudding Empire: How Two Sisters Saved Their Family Dairy
    Dec 17 2025
    What began as a childhood 4-H project has grown into a thriving value-added dairy business feeding families across New England.

    This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes sisters Beth and Courtney Hodge, co-owners of Echo Farm Puddings in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Raised on a small farm, the Hodge sisters turned their love for cows—and their reluctance to part with them—into a creative solution that helped sustain their family dairy through volatile milk markets and industry challenges.

    Beth manages the dairy herd while Courtney oversees pudding production, but their work overlaps daily as they balance farming, manufacturing, and marketing. About 20% of their milk is transformed into small-batch pudding made entirely on-farm, while the rest goes into the Cabot cheese supply chain. That modest percentage of milk, however, generates a disproportionately large share of the farm’s revenue—proving how powerful value-added agriculture can be for family farms.

    The conversation covers how a garage-based 4-H project evolved into a regional pudding brand, why pudding became a “farm-saver” during tough times for dairy, what it really takes to run on-farm food manufacturing, how Certified Humane practices helped them stand out and reach new markets, the role of sustainability, from feeding spent brewery grain to partnering with local farmers, and why loving the act of feeding people is at the heart of everything they do.

    This episode is a must-listen for farmers exploring diversification, consumers curious about where their food comes from, and anyone inspired by family-run businesses that adapt, innovate, and endure.

    Visit them at EchoFarmPuddings.com and Like them on Facebook.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    22 mins
  • Go With the Flow With Otter Yoga

    Go With the Flow With Otter Yoga
    Dec 11 2025
    This week on American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan introduces listeners to one of the most unique farms in America, Westmeister Farm in Shelby, Ohio, where exotic animals, agritourism, and wellness come together in the most unexpected ways.

    Owner and farmer Lynn Westmeister joins Doug to share how her private, appointment-only farm has become a peaceful haven for both animals and visitors. Westmeister Farm is home to a remarkable lineup of residents, from Asian small-clawed otters to zebras, sloths, kangaroos, owls, porcupines, highland cows, and more. But what truly sets the farm apart is its focus on intimate, low-stress, hands-on encounters designed to foster meaningful human–animal connection.

    Lynn explains how Westmeister’s two-hour private tours, otter swim sessions, and creative “animal add-on” experiences allow guests to slow down, be present, and experience wildlife up close, often for the very first time. And at the heart of these offerings is the farm’s now-famous “Go with the Flow Otter Yoga,” recently highlighted by People.com and hailed as the world’s only yoga class featuring otters.

    Doug and Lynn dig into how this gentle, slow-flow class merges movement, mindfulness, animal therapy, and pure joy. Listeners will hear how the farm’s otters, Harbor and Cove, enrich the experience with their curiosity, playfulness, and occasional “yoga poses” of their own; and, why the farm’s low-noise, no-crowds environment is essential to keeping both the animals and guests comfortable.

    Lynn also shares how Westmeister Farm represents a growing evolution in modern agriculture, which blends education, ethical animal care, wellness, and community outreach into new forms of farm-based experiences.

    It’s an inspiring conversation about creativity in farming, the power of human–animal connection, and the incredible things that can happen when a farm reimagines what’s possible. Learn more at westmeister.com

    Listen now and prepare to fall in love with a couple of very mischievous otters.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    20 mins
  • Is Your Farm Prepared for A Weather Emergency?

    Is Your Farm Prepared for A Weather Emergency?
    Dec 11 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with preparations for incoming bad weather. Doug has already put most of his equipment away for the season, with the exception of what he’s still using. Looking back at stats over recent years, farming operations have faced some significant weather with early frosts, extreme winter weather, droughts or heat waves, and how events may intensify because of global warming and how we can prepare. Key advice includes staying informed on incoming weather and who to call when in need, develop an emergency protocol for evacuation, stock and maintain emergency supply kits, keep up-to-date inventory, have fire prevention measures in place, and discuss protocols with your family and farm staff.

    Moving on, Doug shares some statistics of not about the number of farms going down. There are less and less farming operations as time goes on. Doug poses the rhetorical question, “why?” Many reasons, of course. There are less and less generational farmers as families have either lost their land, couldn’t keep up with on-farm jobs, or kin moving on to other careers. Another reason is that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for new farmers to get started if there isn’t already farmland in the family. Commercialized farming is also taking over due to convenience for consumers, but with low quality, highly processed products. When you look at that food and how it’s keeping our citizens sick, it’s no wonder many have to spend so much money on health insurance and health care in general. Spending more money to support family farmers, getting better quality food, is less expensive in the long run when you’re not eating food that makes you (and keeps you) and your family sick.

    In other news, companies Uncommon Farms and Total Acre have a new strategic partnership to expand technology and expertise to growers and farmers all across our country to help with tools to empower farmers to manage both performance and business profitability.

    Lastly, Doug opines on President Trump’s announcements of plans to bring down the price of food. Other focus lies on bringing down the price of beef, but a result of the deal with Argentina to import more beef from them is causing the live cattle market to drop.

    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 mins
  • Growing With Intention: The Natural Nook Farm Journey

    Growing With Intention: The Natural Nook Farm Journey
    Dec 3 2025
    In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Whitney, who is the owner, farmer, and co-founder of Natural Nook Farm in West Salem, Ohio. For nearly 20 years, Jennifer and her husband, Adam, have built a vibrant, faith-rooted homestead dedicated to natural living, self-sufficiency, and community.

    Jennifer shares how Natural Nook Farm has grown from a simple family property into a thriving small farm that produces handcrafted goat-milk soaps, naturally dyed and hand-spun angora rabbit and Jacob sheep wool products, and an incredible array of homegrown foods and medicinal herbs. From freeze-dried vegetables and garlic powder to elderberry teas, jellies, and herbal remedies, Jennifer and her husband are deeply committed to using what they grow and teaching others to do the same.

    Their mission extends far beyond their own land. Jennifer regularly speaks to Career Center students about homesteading skills, inspiring the next generation to grow, create, and build with intention. She and Adam also founded B.U.C.K. Adventures, a 501(c)(3) offering life-changing, all-expense-paid adaptive whitetail hunting experiences for individuals facing life-altering circumstances. Applications for the 2026 season are now open.

    Jennifer opens up about the lessons homesteading has taught her: the power of community, the importance of trying new things, even if they fail, and the value of starting small. She reminds us that you don’t need a thousand acres to begin living more sustainably; you just need the willingness to take the first step.

    For Natural Nook Farm, the next steps are big ones. As they head into 2026, the Whitneys are expanding into horsedrawn carriage and wagon services, powered by their growing team of Percheron horses, an exciting new chapter shaped by the belief that change, while hard, can open doors you never expected.

    Learn more at naturalnookfarm.com.


    Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com
    Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks
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    19 mins
  • The Price of Thanksgiving

    The Price of Thanksgiving
    Dec 3 2025
    Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the biggest news affecting family farmers, starting with news the EPA approved a new forever chemical in pesticides that is being used on food. Read that sentence again. The big food processors want the food grown for them to last longer, and the big conglomerate farms want the food to grow bigger and faster. What does that mean for the health of consumers?

    Then, Doug shares information of the farmers’ share of Thanksgiving. By the numbers, families paid much more this year for turkeys, stuffing, pumpkins, dinner rolls, cranberries, potatoes, etc. The farmers, however, aren’t seeing an increase in their share of the profit. It’s an outrage and even more important to remind people to work with farmers directly and to support their local farmers.

    When rural America does well, we all do well. However, rural America is being squeezed by the administration, by the reality of the big business that control a majority of the source of food. Good news comes from an 8th grader who believes we can transform agriculture’s future. Doug shares her story and the encouragement that comes with it.

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