WINDSOR, NORTH CAROLINA (RFD NEWS) — For Chrystal Castelloe, farming is more than her job. It is a sense of freedom.
As the owner of Castelloe Farms and Sale Barn Farm, she has worked the land for more than 20 years, but she started raising chickens about seven years ago and now does it full-time. She says the work can be demanding, but the reward is worth it.
“You have your freedom. You do all that hard work, and the reward is the freedom to me,” she said. “The freedom to be able to have my own schedule. I do my thing. I don’t have a boss.”
Castelloe says her connection to animals is what keeps her going and gives her a chance to slow down.
“I’ve always loved animals and dealing with animals. We have pigs now, we bought and been through goats,” Castelloe said. “Having the chickens is relaxing too. You go in there, you can get a minute to yourself. You could do a little bit of praying, and my chickens, they don’t talk back to me.”
According to the North Carolina Farm Bureau, women make up roughly 33 percent of all farmers in the state.
