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 NOT 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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Recording date: January 2, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode 2 features farmer, educator, and ag mediator Stacy Entel of Land & Sea Together as we discuss:
Solving problems through agricultural mediation
Building and maintaining strong relationships
Farming forty hours a week
Keeping farm staff for the long-term
Much, much more!
You will love this engaging and relational farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Stacy:
Stacy is in her eleventh farming season. She currently grows organic vegetables at Heart Beets Farm in Berkley, Massachusetts, where she exercises her passions for regenerative agriculture and equitable access to local produce. She is also an agricultural mediator with Land & Sea Together. Prior to her work as a farmer and mediator, Stacy earned her B.A. from Tufts University, taught elementary school, and worked especially with English Language Learners.
Connect with Stacy at:
Website: https://landandseatogether.org/ ; https://www.heartbeetsfarm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landandseatogether/ ; https://www.facebook.com/heartbeetsfarm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landandseatogether/?hl=en ; https://www.instagram.com/heartbeetsfarm/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartbeetsfarm2540
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
Friday Jan 02, 2026
Friday Jan 02, 2026
Recording date: December 22, 2025
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode 1 features farmer, educator, and farm planner Jennie Kapszukiewicz of Stone Hill Farm and American Farmland Trust as we discuss:
Integrating children into your farm life
Advocating for diverse forms of agriculture
Redefining generational farming
Asking for and receiving help
Much, much more!
You will love this intelligent and uplifting farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Jennie:
Jennie co-owns a pasture-raised, grass-fed beef and pork operation in Northeast Connecticut that utilizes intensive pasture management and regenerative practices. She also works for American Farmland Trust New England, supporting producers’ conservation planning in collaboration with NRCS. Jennie is deeply rooted within her local agricultural community, where she has chaired her town's Agriculture Commission since 2015 and serves as a board member for the Windham County Agricultural Society. Before starting her farm, Jennie was a special education teacher and, later, a disabilities administrator in Connecticut public education.
Connect with Jennie at:
Website: https://www.stonehillfarmct.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stonehillfarmct
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
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode 1 features farmer, educator, and farm planner Jennie Kapszukiewicz of Stone Hill Farm and American Farmland Trust as we discuss:
Integrating children into your farm life
Advocating for diverse forms of agriculture
Redefining generational farming
Asking for and receiving help
Much, much more!
You will love this intelligent and uplifting farmer!
About Jennie:
Jennie co-owns a pasture-raised, grass-fed beef and pork operation in Northeast Connecticut that utilizes intensive pasture management and regenerative practices. She also works for American Farmland Trust New England, supporting producers’ conservation planning in collaboration with NRCS. Jennie is deeply rooted within her local agricultural community, where she has chaired her town's Agriculture Commission since 2015 and serves as a board member for the Windham County Agricultural Society. Before starting her farm, Jennie was a special education teacher and, later, a disabilities administrator in Connecticut public education.
Connect with Jennie at:
Website: https://www.stonehillfarmct.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stonehillfarmct
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
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Recording date: December 16, 2025
Episode twenty-two of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features farmer, writer, and foodie Sandra Miller of Painted Hand Farm as we discuss:
Deciding what kind of crops to produce
Raising niche meats
Familiarizing yourself with agricultural law
Exercising your mind
Much, much more!
You will love this bold and honest farmer!
About Sandra:
Born and raised in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, Sandra struck out for California straight out of high school. Formally educated in geology and anthropology, she also rolled up her sleeves and dug her hands into what was to become the birth of the farm-to-table, support your local farmers movement. Along the way, she did some time digitalizing offshore oil rigs and networking and securing international companies' communication systems through emerging technologies. Eventually she broke out of her cubicle and cast off her cables to follow her passion for great meals by digging in the dirt, raising and writing about food, and inspiring others to follow in her boot tracks.
Connect with Sandra at:
Website: https://paintedhandfarm.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skmpaintedhandfarm/
Instagram: @paintedhandfarm ; @sandrakaymiller ; @paintedhandwoven
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaintedHandFarm
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
Monday Dec 22, 2025
Monday Dec 22, 2025
Recording date: December 16, 2025
Episode twenty-two of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features farmer, writer, and foodie Sandra Miller of Painted Hand Farm as we discuss:
Deciding what kind of crops to produce
Raising niche meats
Familiarizing yourself with agricultural law
Exercising your mind
Much, much more!
You will love this bold and honest farmer!
About Sandra:
Born and raised in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, Sandra struck out for California straight out of high school. Formally educated in geology and anthropology, she also rolled up her sleeves and dug her hands into what was to become the birth of the farm-to-table, support your local farmers movement. Along the way, she did some time digitalizing offshore oil rigs and networking and securing international companies' communication systems through emerging technologies. Eventually she broke out of her cubicle and cast off her cables to follow her passion for great meals by digging in the dirt, raising and writing about food, and inspiring others to follow in her boot tracks.
Connect with Sandra at:
Website: https://paintedhandfarm.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skmpaintedhandfarm/
Instagram: @paintedhandfarm ; @sandrakaymiller ; @paintedhandwoven
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaintedHandFarm
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
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Recording date: December 8, 2025
Episode twenty-one of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features farmer, composter, and podcaster Jayne Merner of Earth Care Farm, Golden Root Gardening, and “The Composter” podcast as we discuss:
Delegating responsibility
Bartering for services
Eliminating waste
Finding fun in finding balance
Much, much more!
You will love this entrepreneurial and progressive farmer-composter!
About Jayne:
Jayne Merner began operating a CSA at age nineteen, growing produce and flowers for her community. Farmer’s market customers remarked at the high quality of the produce grown and asked Merner to garden at their homes. This flowed into a side business tending gardens off the farm. In 2015, Jayne took over the family compost operation when her father retired. She is currently in the process of developing the first commercial composting operation in Connecticut.
Connect with Jayne at:
Website: https://www.earthcarefarm.com/ ; https://www.goldenrootgardening.com/ ;
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-merner-bb29a4221/
Instagram: @goldenrootgardening ; @earthcarefarmcompost
Facebook: @earthcarefarm ; @GoldenRootGardening
The Composter Podcast: https://www.earthcarefarm.com/composter-podcast.html
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
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Recording date: December 8, 2025
Episode twenty-one of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features farmer, composter, and podcaster Jayne Merner of Earth Care Farm, Golden Root Gardening, and “The Composter” podcast as we discuss:
Delegating responsibility
Bartering for services
Eliminating waste
Finding fun in finding balance
Much, much more!
You will love this entrepreneurial and progressive farmer-composter!
About Jayne:
Jayne Merner began operating a CSA at age nineteen, growing produce and flowers for her community. Farmer’s market customers remarked at the high quality of the produce grown and asked Merner to garden at their homes. This flowed into a side business tending gardens off the farm. In 2015, Jayne took over the family compost operation when her father retired. She is currently in the process of developing the first commercial composting operation in Connecticut.
Connect with Jayne at:
Website: https://www.earthcarefarm.com/ ; https://www.goldenrootgardening.com/ ;
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-merner-bb29a4221/
Instagram: @goldenrootgardening ; @earthcarefarmcompost
Facebook: @earthcarefarm ; @GoldenRootGardening
The Composter Podcast: https://www.earthcarefarm.com/composter-podcast.html
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
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Recording date: December 5, 2025
Episode twenty of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features fifth-generation rancher Rachel Lohof Larsen of Grounded Life Soil Consulting as we discuss:
Living off the grid
Farming as a profession
Managing livestock by managing our emotions
Repairing relationships
Much, much more!
You will love this bold and grounded rancher!
About Rachel:
A fifth-generation Montana rancher, Rachel has spent more than twenty years studying landscapes of the Mountain West on horseback while wiping her nose on her sleeve. Riding the range has provided her with an unparalleled relationship with the land.
As a result, she started Grounded Life Soil Consulting LLC to share her on-the-land experience of keen observation skills and deep ecological literacy to connect her clients to their living landscape. When Rachel isn’t working with clients, you can find her riding among the vast sagebrush steppes keeping cattle on the move to adaptively graze.
Connect with Rachel at:
Website: https://groundedlifesoil.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-larsen-8044b168/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundedlifesoil/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rllarsen1
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
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Recording date: December 5, 2025
Episode twenty of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features fifth-generation rancher Rachel Lohof Larsen of Grounded Life Soil Consulting as we discuss:
Living off the grid
Farming as a profession
Managing livestock by managing our emotions
Repairing relationships
Much, much more!
You will love this bold and grounded rancher!
About Rachel:
A fifth-generation Montana rancher, Rachel has spent more than twenty years studying landscapes of the Mountain West on horseback while wiping her nose on her sleeve. Riding the range has provided her with an unparalleled relationship with the land.
As a result, she started Grounded Life Soil Consulting LLC to share her on-the-land experience of keen observation skills and deep ecological literacy to connect her clients to their living landscape. When Rachel isn’t working with clients, you can find her riding among the vast sagebrush steppes keeping cattle on the move to adaptively graze.
Connect with Rachel at:
Website: https://groundedlifesoil.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-larsen-8044b168/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundedlifesoil/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rllarsen1
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
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Episode nineteen of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world features Zeke Miller of Preferred Mutual Insurance Co. as we discuss:
Solving problems
Reimagining farmers as customers
Taking the kid off the farm without taking the farm out of the kid
Embracing and redefining agricultural experiences
Much, much more!
You will love this fun and playful customer experience expert!
About Zeke:
Zeke grew up on a family farm in New York and currently works in Customer Experience for Preferred Mutual Insurance Co. He remains connected to his agricultural roots by growing heritage grains, guest writing for agricultural periodicals, and passing on the stories of the equipment and people who farm our land.
Connect with Zeke at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeke-miller-b1308229/
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