Meet Farmer Nicole and Circle C Farms in Florida, Post Cards from the Kitchen Podcast

In this episode, Elaine interviews Nicole Cruz, also known as Farmer Nicole, from Circle C Farms. They discuss the stereotypes around farming and the reality of being a farmer in Florida. Nicole shares her experiences as a first-generation farmer and the inspiration behind her decision to start farming. She also talks about the challenges of farming, including dealing with hurricanes, and the importance of educating consumers about the quality of food. Nicole also discusses her podcast, where she interviews ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Guests

• Nicole Cruz (Farmer Nicole) - Owner of Circle C Farms

Topics discussed

• Stereotypes around farming

• Reality of farming

• Women in farming and agriculture

• Women’s awareness of food quality

• Farming challenges and dealing with hurricanes

• Opening farm stores and community collaborations

• Nicole’s podcast and interviewing extraordinary people

Key takeaways

• Farming is often associated with produce and vegetables, but there is a whole other side to farming, including livestock and protein production.

• More women are getting involved in farming and agriculture, taking a strong hand in feeding communities and making a mark in the food system.

• Women’s awareness of food quality and an interest in sourcing local and organic food may be inspiring them to get more involved in farming.

• Farming is a demanding and physically challenging industry, but advancements in equipment, technology, and resources are making it more accessible for women.

• Hurricanes pose a significant risk to farmers, and they need to take precautions to protect their livestock and ensure the safety of their farms.

• Circle C Farms has opened two farm stores and collaborates with other local farms to provide a variety of products to the community.

• Nicole’s podcast, Farmer Nicole: Feeding Your Body, Mind, and Soul, allows her to have conversations with ordinary people doing extraordinary things in various fields, providing insights and education for her listeners.

Notable quotes

• “A lot of people really think about produce and vegetables, they don’t necessarily think livestock or cattle or sheep and chickens.” - Nicole Cruz

• “There’s more women becoming more actively involved because they’re no longer working necessarily outside of the home full time.” - Nicole Cruz

• “Women can handle things physically differently than they used to. The equipment has changed, the technologies have changed.” - Nicole Cruz

• “When we went out, I would get sick. The foods that we were sourcing, the foods that I was eating, they’re covered in preservatives, they’re covered in pesticides.” - Nicole Cruz

• “We raise our livestock, we harvest our livestock, we butcher our livestock, we package our livestock, and we provide it direct here in the community, plus we ship around the country each week.” - Nicole Cruz

• “I get so much pleasure, insight, intellectual tingling, and joy out of having conversations with people.” - Nicole Cruz

Entities mentioned

• Circle C Farms

• Farmer Nicole

• USDA

Keywords

farming, stereotypes, reality, women in farming, food quality, hurricanes, farm stores, collaboration, podcast, interviews