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 Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
In the second episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world, Nikko Snyder of Against the Wind Farm talks about:
Succeeding in succession planning
Maintaining creativity
Stewarding land and legacy
Combating compartmentalization
Much, much more!
You will love this thoughtful and reflective farmer!
Connect with Nikko at:
Websites: https://againstthewindfarm.ca/ https://parentingcreative.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571309640024
Instagram: @parentingcreative and @againstthewindfarm
YouTube: @nikkosnyder1082
Podcast: Parenting Creative
Email: info@parentingcreative.com
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): Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
In this episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun, K talks with Canadian farmer Nikko Snyder about farm succession, the joy of producing, the need for self-care, and a whole lot more!
Friday Aug 01, 2025
Friday Aug 01, 2025
In the first episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun, Betsy Busche of Spongetta's Garden talks about:
Finding a spouse who's "tolerant of agriculture"
Managing acid reflux as a flower grower
Farming remotely
Selling bouquets at the auto parts store
Much, much more!
You will love this creative and engaging farmer!
Connect with Betsy at:
Webpage and blog: https://www.spongettasgarden.com/
Facebook and Instagram: @spongettasgarden
Email: spongettasgarden@gmail.com
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 Jul 25, 2025
Friday Jul 25, 2025
Are you planted in the right soil? This is just one of the thought-provoking questions that arises when host K. Castrataro talks with Betsy Busche of Spongetta's Garden in the premier episode of Food, Flowers, & Fun. Grab your sneak peek now! Full episode drops August 1, 2025.
Join the online launch party on August 1st at 7am/7pm EDT. Register today at penlightfarmers.com.
Learn more about Betsy at https://www.facebook.com/spongettasgarden.
Saturday Jul 19, 2025
Saturday Jul 19, 2025
Get a preview of some of our season one guests: a daughter dad, an empowered food producer, a survivor of farm-exacerbated acid reflux, an aspiring medical doctor turned farmer, and one naughty cat!
The podcast launches August 1st, 2025. Join our free online launch party August 1st at 7am/7pm (whichever fits your time zone better). Click this link to register and get the event link. (There will be prizes...!)
Food, Flowers, & Fun is hosted by K. Castrataro, the founder of Pen Light for Farmers, which helps farm women clear away the barriers to the farm life they've always wanted.
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Welcome to the opening theme for the podcast Food, Flowers, & Fun: Visits with farm women from around the world!
Host: K. Castrataro, Pen Light for Farmers
Want to be on the show? Contact K at www.penlightfarmers.com
Lyrics, melody, and vocals: Kristen "K" Castrataro
Background accompaniment: Heather Niemi Savage
Farm sounds: K's dad
Kid needing math help: K's daughter