Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world

A Professional Passion for Avocados with Becca Holmes: TRAILER

Recording date: April 1, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode nineteen features avocado grower Becca Holmes of Holmes Grown USA as we discuss:
Distinguishing between a passion project and a profession
Discovering a sense of rootedness in place
Pollinating and watering avocados
Maximizing your competitive advantage
And much, much more…
You will love this creative and well-traveled farmer!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Becca’s farming journey, you can get a complimentary copy of my short guide
“Turn Your Challenges into Tools for Growth,” a fifteen-minute process to take you from feeling overwhelmed by a challenging situation to being ready for positive change: https://www.penlightfarmers.com/tools
About Becca:
Becca grew up in a military family and moved frequently throughout her childhood. In her 40s, she and her husband took over his family’s avocado farm. Holmes Grown USA exists to honor and advance their family's farming legacy by providing American families with the freshest, healthiest avocados directly from their groves.
Connect with Becca at: 
Website: https://holmesgrownusa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holmesgrownusa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holmesgrown_usa/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolmesGrownUSA
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 

Using Lavender, Soy, and Corn to Create a Thriving Farm Business with Kris Straub and Kimberly Hansen

Recording date: March 24, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode eighteen features sisters Kris Straub and Kimberly Hansen of Tenderloin Lavender Farm as we discuss:
Providing customers with on-farm experiences because “she said it’d be fun”
Propagating lavender tested for your specific area
Repurposing Depression-era antiques
Managing the impact of policy on your farm business
And much, much more…
You will love these curious and information-driven farmers!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Kim and Kris's farm journey, you can get a complimentary copy of my short guide
“Turn Your Challenges into Tools for Growth,” a fifteen-minute process to take you from feeling overwhelmed by a challenging situation to being ready for positive change: https://www.penlightfarmers.com/tools
About Kris and Kim:
The Stahlhut family has been farming in the Edwardsville, IL area since 1853. They were a large hog operation until 1999, thus the farm name. Kris and Kim added lavender to their crop operation in 2016. Their homemade lavender-inspired creations are available online and in person.
Connect with Kris and Kim at: 
Website: https://www.tfilavender.com/
Facebook: @tenderloinfarms
Instagram: @tenderloinfarms
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

Using Lavender, Soy, and Corn to Create a Thriving Farm Business with Kris Straub and Kimberly Hansen: TRAILER

NOTE: Do yourself a favor and WATCH this one. I guarantee you'll laugh. 
Recording date: March 24, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode eighteen features sisters Kris Straub and Kimberly Hansen of Tenderloin Lavender Farm as we discuss:
Providing customers with on-farm experiences because “she said it’d be fun”
Propagating lavender tested for your specific area
Repurposing Depression-era antiques
Managing the impact of policy on your farm business
And much, much more…
You will love these curious and information-driven farmers!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Kim and Kris's farm journey, you can get a complimentary copy of my short guide
“Turn Your Challenges into Tools for Growth,” a fifteen-minute process to take you from feeling overwhelmed by a challenging situation to being ready for positive change: https://www.penlightfarmers.com/tools
About Kris and Kim:
The Stahlhut family has been farming in the Edwardsville, IL area since 1853. They were a large hog operation until 1999, thus the farm name. Kris and Kim added lavender to their crop operation in 2016. Their homemade lavender-inspired creations are available online and in person.
Connect with Kris and Kim at: 
Website: https://www.tfilavender.com/
Facebook: @tenderloinfarms
Instagram: @tenderloinfarms
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

Cattle, Community, and Competition with Kate Colgan

Recording date: March 23, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode seventeen features cattlewoman Kate Colgan of Walnut Creek Farms as we discuss:
Getting competitive in 4-H and FFA
Building community across generations
Treating friends and neighbors like family
Using data to increase the size of the farm pie
And much, much more…
You will love this positive, up-and-coming cattlewoman!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Kate's cattle journey, you can get a complimentary copy of my short guide
“Farming Takes a Team,” a short guide to building your best farm support team: https://www.penlightfarmers.com/farmersupport
About Kate:
Kate Colgan is a cattlewoman, communicator, and advocate for agriculture. Raised in Illinois on her family’s cattle operation, Walnut Creek Farms, she has been involved in many sectors of the cattle business. She is currently wrapping up her bachelor’s degree in animal science at Kansas State University, with plans to return to the operation upon graduation.
Connect with Kate at: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walnutcreekfarms.2001?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=PzRvTJjfJanpkOGo&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F17R8gjpG5n%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walnutcreekfarms?igsh=MWkwNHQ3bmlsZ3R0ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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

Cattle, Community, and Competition with Kate Colgan:TRAILER

Recording date: March 23, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode seventeen features cattlewoman Kate Colgan of Walnut Creek Farms as we discuss:
Getting competitive in 4-H and FFA
Building community across generations
Treating friends and neighbors like family
Using data to increase the size of the farm pie
And much, much more…
You will love this positive, up-and-coming cattlewoman!
#IYWF2026
A GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Inspired by Kate's cattle journey, you can get a complimentary copy of my short guide
“Farming Takes a Team,” a short guide to building your best farm support team: https://www.penlightfarmers.com/farmersupport
About Kate:
Kate Colgan is a cattlewoman, communicator, and advocate for agriculture. Raised in Illinois on her family’s cattle operation, Walnut Creek Farms, she has been involved in many sectors of the cattle business. She is currently wrapping up her bachelor’s degree in animal science at Kansas State University, with plans to return to the operation upon graduation.
Connect with Kate at: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walnutcreekfarms.2001?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=PzRvTJjfJanpkOGo&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F17R8gjpG5n%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walnutcreekfarms?igsh=MWkwNHQ3bmlsZ3R0ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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

Urban and Community Growing with Kathy Jentz

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

Urban and Community Growing with Kathy Jentz: TRAILER

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

Creating Bee Havens with Aliza Stanton

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

Creating Bee Havens with Aliza Stanton: TRAILER

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

Growing Cheeky Farming Adventures with Heather Thibeault

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