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 Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
Recording date: February 26, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode eleven features Sydney Raym of Regenerative Ag Design and MTO Kennels as we discuss:
Using Mangalica pigs in regenerative design
Communicating with the land
Breeding Cane Corsos and French Bulldogs
Detoxing in the sauna
And much, much more…
You will love this multi-talented and intuitive farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Sydney:
Sydney Raym is a third-generation farmer and regenerative agriculture designer with lifelong, hands-on experience rooted in land, animals, and ecological systems. As a child, her grandfather taught her to work with soil, livestock, and seasonal rhythms, which helped her develop an intuitive understanding of how healthy ecosystems function when they are respected rather than controlled. As a Native American, she understands the land not as a resource, but a relative — alive, responsive, and deserving of respect. Her approach to regenerative design blends practical experience with a deeply embodied understanding of life cycles, animal behavior, soil biology, and ecological rhythms. She seeks to design regenerative farms and ranches that are productive, resilient, and alive — systems that support both the land and the people who depend on it.
Connect with Sydney at:
Website: https://regenerativeagdesigning.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regenfarmingcollective
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneyraym1111/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regenerativeagdesigning/?hl=en
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 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Recording date: February 26, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode eleven features Sydney Raym of Regenerative Ag Design and MTO Kennels as we discuss:
Using Mangalica pigs in regenerative design
Communicating with the land
Breeding Cane Corsos and French Bulldogs
Detoxing in the sauna
And much, much more…
You will love this compassionate and collaborative farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Sydney:
Sydney Raym is a third-generation farmer and regenerative agriculture designer with lifelong, hands-on experience rooted in land, animals, and ecological systems. As a child, her grandfather taught her to work with soil, livestock, and seasonal rhythms, which helped her develop an intuitive understanding of how healthy ecosystems function when they are respected rather than controlled. As a Native American, she understands the land not as a resource, but a relative — alive, responsive, and deserving of respect. Her approach to regenerative design blends practical experience with a deeply embodied understanding of life cycles, animal behavior, soil biology, and ecological rhythms. She seeks to design regenerative farms and ranches that are productive, resilient, and alive — systems that support both the land and the people who depend on it.
Connect with Sydney at:
Website: https://regenerativeagdesigning.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regenfarmingcollective
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneyraym1111/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regenerativeagdesigning/?hl=en
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 06, 2026
Friday Mar 06, 2026
Recording date: February 25, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode ten features Natasha Stein Sutherland of Stein Farms as we discuss:
Sharing decision-making between and within generations
Prioritizing personal passions
Practicing servant leadership
Being authentic
Much, much more!
You will love this compassionate and collaborative farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Natasha:
Natasha comes from a long line of farmers: three generations on her father’s; eight generations on her mother’s. After graduating from Cornell, she spent seven years working on farms in New Zealand before returning to the family dairy farm in New York alongside her father, brother, cousin, husband, and children. They currently have a herd of 1800 cows and are in the process of installing a new rotary parlor.
Connect with Natasha at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Stein-Farms-100063232207975/
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 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Recording date: February 25, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode ten features Natasha Stein Sutherland of Stein Farms as we discuss:
Sharing decision-making between and within generations
Prioritizing personal passions
Practicing servant leadership
Being authentic
Much, much more!
You will love this compassionate and collaborative farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Natasha:
Natasha comes from a long line of farmers: three generations on her father’s; eight generations on her mother’s. After graduating from Cornell, she spent seven years working on farms in New Zealand before returning to the family dairy farm in New York alongside her father, brother, cousin, husband, and children. They currently have a herd of 1800 cows and are in the process of installing a new rotary parlor.
Connect with Natasha at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Stein-Farms-100063232207975/
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 Feb 27, 2026
Friday Feb 27, 2026
Recording date: February 18, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode nine features Kalan Redwood of Redwood Seeds as we discuss:
Rejuvenating during the “off-season”
Appreciating the potential of seeds
Choosing traditional schooling and homeschooling
Building a seed business from the ground up
Much, much more!
You will love this inspiring and informative farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Kalan:
Kalan didn’t choose farming—farming chose her! In her mid-twenties, she met her husband, which started a journey of garden curiosity. After several years growing seeds under contract for other companies, Redwood Seeds was born. They specialize in certified organic, heirloom, and open-pollinated varieties adapted to diverse climates.
Connect with Kalan at:
Website: https://www.redwoodseeds.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redwoodorganicseeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redwoodseeds/?hl=en
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 Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Recording date: February 18, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode nine features Kalan Redwood of Redwood Seeds as we discuss:
Rejuvenating during the “off-season”
Appreciating the potential of seeds
Choosing traditional schooling and homeschooling
Building a seed business from the ground up
Much, much more!
You will love this inspiring and informative farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Kalan:
Kalan didn’t choose farming—farming chose her! In her mid-twenties, she met her husband, which started a journey of garden curiosity. After several years growing seeds under contract for other companies, Redwood Seeds was born. They specialize in certified organic, heirloom, and open-pollinated varieties adapted to diverse climates.
Connect with Kalan at:
Website: https://www.redwoodseeds.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redwoodorganicseeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redwoodseeds/?hl=en
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 Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Recording date: February 3, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode seven features beginning farmer Amber Toombs of Rustic Roots Heritage Homestead as we discuss:
The joys and triumphs of farm cats
The “farming gene”
Creating hands-on agricultural education
Livestock as soil amendments
Much, much more!
You will love this energetic and collaborative farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Amber:
Amber was born and raised in the city. Her grandmother, a resilient woman who grew up during the Depression era, experienced the harsh realities of self-sufficiency firsthand. Determined to provide a different life for her family, Amber's grandmother moved to the city, distancing herself from the lifestyle she once knew. This city upbringing shaped Amber's early years, but the stories and skills passed down from her grandmother ignited a spark within her—a desire to rediscover and embrace a life more connected to nature and tradition.
Special opportunity for Food, Flowers, & Fun listeners:
Attend Amber’s Sovereign Health Summit: From Soil to Soul October 27-31, 2026 (both virtual and in person options). Sign up now at https://www.sovereignhealthsummit.com/?ref=womenfarm5. Use the coupon code womenfarm5 to get 5% off your tickets.
Connect with Amber at:
Website: https://www.rusticrootsheritagehomestead.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RusticRootsHeritageHomestead
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RusticRootsHeritageHomestead
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusticrootsheritagehomestead/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rusticrootswnc?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
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 Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Recording date: February 3, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode seven features beginning farmer Amber Toombs of Rustic Roots Heritage Homestead as we discuss:
The joys and triumphs of farm cats
The “farming gene”
Creating hands-on agricultural education
Livestock as soil amendments
Much, much more!
You will love this energetic and collaborative farmer!
#IYWF2026
About Amber:
Amber was born and raised in the city. Her grandmother, a resilient woman who grew up during the Depression era, experienced the harsh realities of self-sufficiency firsthand. Determined to provide a different life for her family, Amber's grandmother moved to the city, distancing herself from the lifestyle she once knew. This city upbringing shaped Amber's early years, but the stories and skills passed down from her grandmother ignited a spark within her—a desire to rediscover and embrace a life more connected to nature and tradition.
Special opportunity for Food, Flowers, & Fun listeners:
Attend Amber’s Sovereign Health Summit: From Soil to Soul October 27-31, 2026 (both virtual and in person options). Sign up now at https://www.sovereignhealthsummit.com/?ref=womenfarm5. Use the coupon code womenfarm5 to get 5% off your tickets.
Connect with Amber at:
Website: https://www.rusticrootsheritagehomestead.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RusticRootsHeritageHomestead
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RusticRootsHeritageHomestead
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusticrootsheritagehomestead/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rusticrootswnc?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
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 Feb 13, 2026
Friday Feb 13, 2026
Recording date: January 29, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode seven features behavioral health professional Roberta Bellamy of Medical Family Therapy and Consulting, PLLC as we discuss:
Watching stress and mental health challenges end farming
Managing fear
Breaking out of relational triangles
Speaking truth kindly
Much, much more!
You will love this wise and compassionate ag service provider!
#IYWF2026
About Roberta:
Since 2015, Roberta has worked collaboratively with agricultural and health care entities to provide behavioral health services to North Carolina family farms across the state. She works with farm families, farm workers, and the entities that serve and support the agricultural population, to help farms manage and reduce stress. Roberta grew up on a small, multi-generational family farm in Kittrell, NC. During the turbulent farming years of the early 80’s, her father was hospitalized with a stress-induced, psychotic breakdown, and her family’s life of farming ended. As an adult, she set her professional goals toward becoming a therapist for farming families.
For additional support, visit the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute at https://ncagromedicine.org/ .
Connect with Roberta at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberta-bellamy-phd-lmft-359174209/
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 Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Welcome to the second season of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world! Episode seven features behavioral health professional Roberta Bellamy of Medical Family Therapy and Consulting, PLLC as we discuss:
Watching stress and mental health challenges end farming
Managing fear
Breaking out of relational triangles
Speaking truth kindly
Much, much more!
You will love this wise and compassionate ag service provider!
#IYWF2026
About Roberta:
Since 2015, Roberta has worked collaboratively with agricultural and health care entities to provide behavioral health services to North Carolina family farms across the state. She works with farm families, farm workers, and the entities that serve and support the agricultural population, to help farms manage and reduce stress. Roberta grew up on a small, multi-generational family farm in Kittrell, NC. During the turbulent farming years of the early 80’s, her father was hospitalized with a stress-induced, psychotic breakdown, and her family’s life of farming ended. As an adult, she set her professional goals toward becoming a therapist for farming families.
Connect with Roberta at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberta-bellamy-phd-lmft-359174209/
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
Recording date: January 29, 2026