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
Friday Apr 17, 2026
Friday Apr 17, 2026
Recording date: March 23, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode sixteen features urban gardener and podcaster Kathy Jentz as we discuss:
Growing in containers
Creating and maintaining community gardens
Sharing growing knowledge with others
Making growing accessible for diverse abilities and populations
And much, much more…
You will love this informative and ground-breaking farmer!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Kathy's journey creating and maintaining community gardens, you can get a complimentary copy of K’s short guide:
“Using Lists to Help Your Farm Help…Help You,” a quick-guide to the kinds of lists you (and your staff) can use to use time more efficiently in every aspect of your farm life: https://www.penlightfarmers.com/farmlists
About Kathy:
Kathy Jentz is editor and publisher of the award-winning Washington Gardener Magazine, based in Washington, DC. She is also the host of the popular and Gold Laurel award-winning GardenDC Podcast. She is co-author of The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City (now available on Amazon). Her mission is to turn black thumbs green. A life-long gardener, Kathy believes that growing plants should be stress-free and enjoyable. Her philosophy is inspiration over perspiration. She speaks on gardening and has been honored to have presented programs at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the Philadelphia Flower Show, U.S. Botanic Garden, the Historic Society of Washington, DC, and many other prestigious venues.
Connect with Kathy at:
Website: http://washingtongardener.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyjentz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/washington.gardener
Instagram: @wdcgardener
GardenDC Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv-yep94vRMB-wKyMMAspVdKazrlsgXp&si=H2Nf3CSZmflff5cf
Buy Kathy’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kathy+jentz&crid=1LSSTILSKCHA5&sprefix=kathy+jentz%2Caps%2C141&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
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 Apr 13, 2026
Monday Apr 13, 2026
Recording date: March 23, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode sixteen features urban gardener and podcaster Kathy Jentz as we discuss:
Growing in containers
Creating and maintaining community gardens
Sharing growing knowledge with others
Making growing accessible for diverse abilities and populations
And much, much more…
You will love this informative and ground-breaking farmer!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Kathy's journey creating and maintaining community gardens, you can get a complimentary copy of K’s short guide:
“Using Lists to Help Your Farm Help…Help You,” a quick-guide to the kinds of lists you (and your staff) can use to use time more efficiently in every aspect of your farm life: https://www.penlightfarmers.com/farmlists
About Kathy:
Kathy Jentz is editor and publisher of the award-winning Washington Gardener Magazine, based in Washington, DC. She is also the host of the popular and Gold Laurel award-winning GardenDC Podcast. She is co-author of The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City (now available on Amazon). Her mission is to turn black thumbs green. A life-long gardener, Kathy believes that growing plants should be stress-free and enjoyable. Her philosophy is inspiration over perspiration. She speaks on gardening and has been honored to have presented programs at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the Philadelphia Flower Show, U.S. Botanic Garden, the Historic Society of Washington, DC, and many other prestigious venues.
Connect with Kathy at:
Website: http://washingtongardener.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyjentz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/washington.gardener
Instagram: @wdcgardener
GardenDC Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv-yep94vRMB-wKyMMAspVdKazrlsgXp&si=H2Nf3CSZmflff5cf
Buy Kathy’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kathy+jentz&crid=1LSSTILSKCHA5&sprefix=kathy+jentz%2Caps%2C141&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
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 Apr 10, 2026
Friday Apr 10, 2026
Recording date: March 13, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode fifteen features beekeeper Aliza Stanton of Aliza’s Honey as we discuss:
Turning a bee removal business into value-added bee-based products
Requeening Africanized bees
Learning from the earth
Doing your small part to make the world a better place
And much, much more…
You will love this bold and playful beekeeper!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Aliza's beekeeping journey, you can get a complimentary copy of my short guide
About Aliza:
Since 2008, our family has been dedicated to providing safe and humane live bee removal services throughout San Diego, CA . Our mission is to rescue and relocate bee colonies from home and businesses to other carefully selected locations across San Diego.
The products we offer are a natural byproduct of the hard work of those bees. By choosing our products, you’re not only enjoying the purest honey and beeswax goods but also experiencing the many benefits that beeswax brings to our skincare line.
Connect with Aliza at:
Website: https://alizashoney.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliza%E2%80%99s-honey-a5a013291/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alizashoney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alizashoney/
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 Apr 06, 2026
Monday Apr 06, 2026
Recording date: March 13, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode fifteen features beekeeper Aliza Stanton of Aliza’s Honey as we discuss:
Turning a bee removal business into value-added bee-based products
Requeening Africanized bees
Learning from the earth
Doing your small part to make the world a better place
And much, much more…
You will love this bold and playful beekeeper!
#IYWF2026
About Aliza:
Since 2008, our family has been dedicated to providing safe and humane live bee removal services throughout San Diego, CA . Our mission is to rescue and relocate bee colonies from home and businesses to other carefully selected locations across San Diego.
The products we offer are a natural byproduct of the hard work of those bees. By choosing our products, you’re not only enjoying the purest honey and beeswax goods but also experiencing the many benefits that beeswax brings to our skincare line.
Connect with Aliza at:
Website: https://alizashoney.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliza%E2%80%99s-honey-a5a013291/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alizashoney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alizashoney/
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 Apr 03, 2026
Friday Apr 03, 2026
Recording date: March 9, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode fourteen features Heather Thibeault of Cheeky Tomatoes and Adventures in Gardening as we discuss:
Farming as sport
Investing in new farmers
Growing in terraced “garden rooms”
Using the personal connection to market your farm business
And much, much more…
You will love this skilled and adventurous farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Heather:
A perpetual student in the passion of gardening, Heather Thibeault has over thirty-five years of gardening experience and shares her love for all things gardening at Adventures in Gardening on YouTube. People local to eastern Connecticut can find her roadside stand open in May where you can purchase organically grown heirloom tomato and other vegetable plants and even flowers.
Connect with Heather at:
Website: https://www.cheekytomatoes.com/
Adventures in Gardening on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresingardeningct?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=C3sPFy2NNQZU4qhq&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16zDj99QL4%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
Cheeky Tomatoes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheekytomatoes?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=B5GS2WBoMLGwLHzE&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1Cfn3ddctg%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
YouTube: @adventuresingardening
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 Mar 30, 2026
Monday Mar 30, 2026
Recording date: March 9, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode fourteen features Heather Thibeault of Cheeky Tomatoes and Adventures in Gardening as we discuss:
Farming as sport
Investing in new farmers
Growing in terraced “garden rooms”
Using the personal connection to market your farm business
And much, much more…
You will love this skilled and adventurous farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Heather:
A perpetual student in the passion of gardening, Heather Thibeault has over thirty-five years of gardening experience and shares her love for all things gardening at Adventures in Gardening on YouTube. People local to eastern Connecticut can find her roadside stand open in May where you can purchase organically grown heirloom tomato and other vegetable plants and even flowers.
Connect with Heather at:
Website: https://www.cheekytomatoes.com/
Adventures in Gardening on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresingardeningct?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=C3sPFy2NNQZU4qhq&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16zDj99QL4%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
Cheeky Tomatoes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheekytomatoes?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=B5GS2WBoMLGwLHzE&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1Cfn3ddctg%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
YouTube: @adventuresingardening
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 Mar 27, 2026
Friday Mar 27, 2026
Recording date: March 6, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode thirteen features second-year flower farmer Holly Park of Scout Hill Farm as we discuss:
Creating Clade, the quintessential dahlia software
Choosing the best parents (plant and animal parents, that is!)
Designing gardens and landscapes that work for plants
Growing focal cut flowers all season
And much, much more…
You will love this vibrant and inventive farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Holly:
Holly Park is the founder of Scout Hill Farm, where she grows specialty flowers, especially dahlias, and teaches gardeners how to grow with more intention. She’s also the co-founder of Clade, software built to help flower farms and dahlia collectors organize their inventory and work smarter, not harder.
Connect with Holly at:
Website: https://scouthillfarm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570859175802
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scouthillfarm/
Clade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/useclade/
Linked In: https://useclade.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoutHillFarm
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 Mar 23, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Recording date: March 6, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode thirteen features second-year flower farmer Holly Park of Scout Hill Farm as we discuss:
Creating Clade, the quintessential dahlia software
Choosing the best parents (plant and animal parents, that is!)
Designing gardens and landscapes that work for plants
Growing focal cut flowers all season
And much, much more…
You will love this vibrant and inventive farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Holly:
Holly Park is the founder of Scout Hill Farm, where she grows specialty flowers, especially dahlias, and teaches gardeners how to grow with more intention. She’s also the co-founder of Clade, software built to help flower farms and dahlia collectors organize their inventory and work smarter, not harder.
Connect with Holly at:
Website: https://scouthillfarm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570859175802
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scouthillfarm/
Clade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/useclade/
Linked In: https://useclade.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScoutHillFarm
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 Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
Recording date: March 3, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode twelve features Ashley Randle, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources as we discuss:
Actions farmers can take to influence policy…without becoming professional advocates
The value of peer support for farmers
Taking care of yourself while you take care of your farm friends
The affect of changing weather on farmers and their farm operations
And much, much more…
You will love this engaged and engaging farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Ashley:
Ashley was born and raised on her family’s fifth-generation dairy farm in South Deerfield, MA. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics & Management and Animal Science and received her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law. Prior to serving as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Ashley was the Member Services Director for Northeast Dairy Producers Association, Inc. and the Marketing Specialist/Special Projects at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.
Connect with Ashley at:
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-agricultural-resources
MassGrown Wellness: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massgrown-wellness
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-e-randle-21b31785/
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 Mar 16, 2026
Monday Mar 16, 2026
Recording date: March 3, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode twelve features Ashley Randle, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources as we discuss:
Actions farmers can take to influence policy…without becoming professional advocates
The value of peer support for farmers
Taking care of yourself while you take care of your farm friends
The affect of changing weather on farmers and their farm operations
And much, much more…
You will love this engaged and engaging farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Ashley:
Ashley was born and raised on her family’s fifth-generation dairy farm in South Deerfield, MA. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics & Management and Animal Science and received her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law. Prior to serving as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Ashley was the Member Services Director for Northeast Dairy Producers Association, Inc. and the Marketing Specialist/Special Projects at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.
Connect with Ashley at:
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-agricultural-resources
MassGrown Wellness: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massgrown-wellness
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-e-randle-21b31785/
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