Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world
K. Castrataro
35 episodes
2 days ago
This podcast celebrates the stories of women farmers around the world who are engaged in food production, ornamentals, and agritourism. Join us for some honest farm talk--and lots of laughter--about the unique challenges faced by female farmers as they try to balance their farm and personal lives, support their mental health and well-being, and sustain healthy relationships on and off the farm.
The first season’s guests include a cassava grower from Cameroon, an agroforester from North Carolina, a ”chicken midwife” from California, the Grass Whisperer, and many, many more. You won’t want to miss an episode!
Your host, Kristen ”K” Castrataro, is a fifth-generation farm kid from Rhode Island. She has a rich agricultural background as a producer, Extension Agent, and farm consultant. She is driven by the conviction that the people feeding our bodies and souls should be starving themselves. K is the founder of Pen Light for Farmers, a business that helps farmers (especially farm women) build a farm life and relationships that meet their deepest needs and values. You can find her at www.penlightfarmers.com.
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This podcast celebrates the stories of women farmers around the world who are engaged in food production, ornamentals, and agritourism. Join us for some honest farm talk--and lots of laughter--about the unique challenges faced by female farmers as they try to balance their farm and personal lives, support their mental health and well-being, and sustain healthy relationships on and off the farm.
The first season’s guests include a cassava grower from Cameroon, an agroforester from North Carolina, a ”chicken midwife” from California, the Grass Whisperer, and many, many more. You won’t want to miss an episode!
Your host, Kristen ”K” Castrataro, is a fifth-generation farm kid from Rhode Island. She has a rich agricultural background as a producer, Extension Agent, and farm consultant. She is driven by the conviction that the people feeding our bodies and souls should be starving themselves. K is the founder of Pen Light for Farmers, a business that helps farmers (especially farm women) build a farm life and relationships that meet their deepest needs and values. You can find her at www.penlightfarmers.com.
Episode sixteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Cassidy Ball of Daigle Farm, LLC as we discuss:
Raising chickens and pigs
Baking bread
Rediscovering faith
Doing the “right thing”
Much, much more!
You will love this cheerful and down-to-earth farmer!
About Cassidy:
Cassidy Ball is considered a “Jane-of-all-trades” at Daigle Farm, LLC. She runs the non-perishable side of products, manages the baking, creates sustainable/reusable beeswax wraps and custom-made jewelry, and even offers serene Reiki experiences.
Connect with Cassidy at:
Website: https://www.simplygrowingfood.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daiglefarm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaigleFarmLLC
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Want to use lists for more than wishes? Download your free guide on using lists to help manage your farm at: www.penlightfarmers.com/farmlists.
Episode sixteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Cassidy Ball of Daigle Farm, LLC as we discuss:
Raising chickens and pigs
Baking bread
Rediscovering faith
Doing the “right thing”
Much, much more!
You will love this cheerful and down-to-earth farmer!
About Cassidy:
Cassidy Ball is considered a “Jane-of-all-trades” at Daigle Farm, LLC. She runs the non-perishable side of products, manages the baking, creates sustainable/reusable beeswax wraps and custom-made jewelry, and even offers serene Reiki experiences.
Connect with Cassidy at:
Website: https://www.simplygrowingfood.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daiglefarm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaigleFarmLLC
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Want to use lists for more than wishes? Download your free guide on using lists to help manage your farm at: www.penlightfarmers.com/farmlists.
Episode fifteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features freelance farmer and fermenter Elizabeth Resnick as we discuss:
Working through injuries
Valuing the farmer as well as the farm
Loving farm life
Resenting farm life
Much, much more!
You will love this diverse and multi-talented farmer!
About Liz:
Elizabeth Resnick’s background includes working in a lawyer’s office in New York City, fermenting kimchi, butchering chickens…and that’s just the beginning. She speaks three languages, has traveled extensively, and has written about her experiences in various publications.
Connect with Liz at:
Website: https://www.sonima.com/author/liz-resnick/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz.res
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizres/
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Episode fifteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features freelance farmer and fermenter Elizabeth Resnick as we discuss:
Working through injuries
Valuing the farmer as well as the farm
Loving farm life
Resenting farm life
Much, much more!
You will love this diverse and multi-talented farmer!
About Liz:
Elizabeth Resnick’s background includes working in a lawyer’s office in New York City, fermenting kimchi, butchering chickens…and that’s just the beginning. She speaks three languages, has traveled extensively, and has written about her experiences in various publications.
Connect with Liz at:
Website: https://www.sonima.com/author/liz-resnick/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz.res
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizres/
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Episode fourteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Laurel Witri of the Community Mediation Center of Rhode Island/Land and Sea Together as we discuss:
Begging for farm work
Learning from refugee farmers
Planning successions that work (and don’t!)
Mediating farm conflict
Much, much more!
You will love this thoughtful farmer-turned-mediator!
About Laurel:
Starting with an urban rooftop garden, Laurel progressed to working as a farm apprentice, managing a farm, and ultimately running her own farm. A Farm Succession Program Specialist with Land & Sea Together, she helps farmers plan for their future by walking them through the process of succession planning. Laurel is a certified farm transition coordinator through the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN).
Connect with Laurel at:
Website: https://landandseatogether.org/about-us/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/landandseatogether/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurelwitri
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Episode fourteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Laurel Witri of Land and Sea Together as we discuss:
Begging for farm work
Learning from refugee farmers
Planning successions that work (and don’t!)
Mediating farm conflict
Much, much more!
You will love this thoughtful farmer-turned-mediator!
About Laurel:
Starting with an urban rooftop garden, Laurel progressed to working as a farm apprentice, managing a farm, and ultimately running her own farm. A Farm Succession Program Specialist with Land & Sea Together, she helps farmers plan for their future by walking them through the process of succession planning. Laurel is a certified farm transition coordinator through the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN).
Connect with Laurel at:
Website: https://landandseatogether.org/about-us/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/landandseatogether/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurelwitri
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Episode thirteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Azure Cygler of Rhody Wild Sea Gardens as we discuss:
Raising sugar kelp and oysters
Thinking globally; acting locally
Knowing when to push on and when to lay off
Contributing versus extracting
Much, much more!
You will love this intuitive and purpose-driven aquaculture farmer!
About Azure:
Azure Cygler has been on the ocean her entire life, from playing in the ocean to commercial fishing in Alaska and American Samoa to working in science and outreach. She has a husband and 2 children who love being outside in all seasons. They live year-round in Narragansett, RI USA and strive to live lives of kindness, environmental and community service, and purpose. When the weather allows, Azure checks on her growing kelp with a kayak, enjoying the calm of the winter and the surprises that await when she pulls up a kelp line!
Connect with Azure at:
Website: https://rhodywildseagardens.com/
Instagram and Facebook: @RhodyKelp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azurecygler/
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Episode thirteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Azure Cygler of Rhody Wild Sea Gardens as we discuss:
Raising sugar kelp and oysters
Thinking globally; acting locally
Knowing when to push on and when to lay off
Contributing versus extracting
Much, much more!
You will love this intuitive and purpose-driven aquaculture farmer!
Connect with Azure at:
Website: https://rhodywildseagardens.com/
Instagram and Facebook: @RhodyKelp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azurecygler/
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Episode twelve of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Gail Hunsberger of Tumble-Tails Farm as we discuss:
Using soap derby skills to restore a condemned property
Creating a judgment-free safe haven
Healing bodies, minds, and hearts
Letting go
Much, much more!
You will love this nurturing and energizing farmer!
Connect with Gail at:
Website: https://www.tumble-tails-farm.com/
Instagram: @tumbletails_farm
Facebook: @TumbleTailsFarm22
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghunsberger/
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Episode twelve of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Gail Hunsberger of Tumble-Tails as we discuss:
Using soap derby skills to restore a condemned property
Creating a judgment-free safe haven
Healing bodies, minds, and hearts
Letting go
Much, much more!
You will love this nurturing and energizing farmer!
Connect with Gail at:
Website: https://www.tumble-tails-farm.com/
Instagram: @tumbletails_farm
Facebook: @TumbleTailsFarm22
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghunsberger/
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the eleventh episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Sara Prefontaine of Choiniere Family Farm talks about:
Being a first-generation farmer
Playing to your strengths
Maximizing your farm team
Staying open-minded and willing to learn
Much, much more!
You will love this indomitable and no-holds-barred farmer!
Connect with Sarah at:
Instagram: @choinierefarmilyfarmri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572795255980#
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the eleventh episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Sara Prefontaine of Choiniere Family Farm talks about:
Being a first-generation farmer
Playing to your strengths
Maximizing your farm team
Staying open-minded and willing to learn
Much, much more!
You will love this indomitable and no-holds-barred farmer!
Connect with Sarah at:
Instagram: @choinierefarmilyfarmri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572795255980#
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the tenth episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Sarah Schumann of Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign talks about:
Protecting your physical and emotional safety
Advocating from within the industry
Creating your own definition of success
Managing careerism
Much, much more!
You will love this determined and value-driven (ocean) farmer!
Connect with Sarah at:
Website: fisheryfriendlyclimateaction.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-schumann-fisheries/
Facebook: @fisheryfriendlyclimateaction
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the tenth episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Sarah Schumann of Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign talks about:
Protecting your physical and emotional safety
Advocating from within the industry
Creating your own definition of success
Managing careerism
Much, much more!
You will love this determined and value-driven (ocean) farmer!
Connect with Sarah at:
Website: fisheryfriendlyclimateaction.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-schumann-fisheries/
Facebook: @fisheryfriendlyclimateaction
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the ninth episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Candace Clavin of Water Way Farm talks about:
Protecting your physical and emotional safety
Distilling lavender
Flipping rams
Educating the next generation on agriculture
Much, much more!
You will love this versatile and multi-talented farmer!
Connect with Candace at:
Website: https://www.waterwayfarm.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-clavin-8252668/
Facebook: @WaterWayFarm
Instagram: @water_way_farm
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Check out this behind-the-scenes look at a first meeting between K and podcast guest Candace Clavin of Water Way Farm. Candace had some white lavender distilling at the time of her pre-screening call...and you get to watch!
In the ninth episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Candace Clavin of Water Way Farm talks about:
Protecting your physical and emotional safety
Distilling lavender
Flipping rams
Educating the next generation on agriculture
Much, much more!
You will love this versatile and multi-talented farmer!
Connect with Candace at:
Website: https://www.waterwayfarm.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-clavin-8252668/
Facebook: @WaterWayFarm
Instagram: @water_way_farm
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the eighth episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Nancy Nalova of NAN-AGRIC Cameroon talks about:
Returning to your roots
Learning innovative value-added processes
Giving back to the community
Farming “natural” and “real”
Much, much more!
You will love this innovative and forward-thinking farmer!
Connect with Nancy at:
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076715023709
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-nalova-b1801514b/
Facebook: @nancy.nalova.2025
Instagram: @nalovanancy
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the eighth episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Nancy Nalova of NAN-AGRIC Cameroon talks about:
Returning to your roots
Learning innovative value-added processes
Giving back to the community
Farming “natural” and “real”
Much, much more!
You will love this innovative and forward-thinking farmer!
Connect with Nancy at:
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076715023709
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-nalova-b1801514b/
Facebook: @nancy.nalova.2025
Instagram: @nalovanancy
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
In the seventh episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Toluwani Precious Ogunbiyi of Agridemy talks about:
Empowering small-scale farmers
Combining agriculture, creativity, and fun
Balancing competing needs and expectations
Staying connected to the Source
Much, much more!
You will love this enthusiastic and purpose-driven farmer!
Connect with Precious at:
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toluwani-precious-ogunbiyi-215349168/
Facebook: @Agridemy
Instagram: @agridemy_
YouTube: @Agridemyy
Connect with K at:
Website: https://www.penlightfarmers.com
YouTube: @k.castrataro3466
Facebook and Instagram: @penlightfarmers
Podcast (audio): https://www.penlightfarmers.com/podcast
Podcast (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIVBn53rrIsTwS4ag6hH4DHnxG_Lxqt7x
Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world
This podcast celebrates the stories of women farmers around the world who are engaged in food production, ornamentals, and agritourism. Join us for some honest farm talk--and lots of laughter--about the unique challenges faced by female farmers as they try to balance their farm and personal lives, support their mental health and well-being, and sustain healthy relationships on and off the farm.
The first season’s guests include a cassava grower from Cameroon, an agroforester from North Carolina, a ”chicken midwife” from California, the Grass Whisperer, and many, many more. You won’t want to miss an episode!
Your host, Kristen ”K” Castrataro, is a fifth-generation farm kid from Rhode Island. She has a rich agricultural background as a producer, Extension Agent, and farm consultant. She is driven by the conviction that the people feeding our bodies and souls should be starving themselves. K is the founder of Pen Light for Farmers, a business that helps farmers (especially farm women) build a farm life and relationships that meet their deepest needs and values. You can find her at www.penlightfarmers.com.