10/14/2026
Our neighbor Kalenauskas Farm & Market Representing Litchfield
County Agricultural - a lifetime commitment to agriculture and community service -
Well deserved recognition
✨International Year of the Woman Farmer Spotlight✨
Karen Kalenauskas, Kalenauskas Farm & Market, Watertown, CT
A lifelong farmer, Karen Kalenauskas operates a livestock farm with beef, sheep, goats, and assorted traditional small animals making their own feed and corn silage, as well as a shavings mill and hay for other local farms. COVID provided the opportunity to open a farm market to sell their meat, fiber, and other farm produced products. As the third generation, she farms alongside her nephews with support from other family members and young adults from the local vocational agriculture program.
🐑What inspired you to become a farmer?
I grew up on this farm, which was run by my grandparents and parents. The business has evolved over the years, which started as a small dairy, with a delivery route for milk and some vegetables.
🐑What advice would you give to other women?
Get as much diversified education and training as possible, seek out experience and advice from fellow farmers, participate in Farm Bureau and commodity organizations, where you will find your peers are willing to collaborate and share.
🐑Describe a challenge you face as a woman farmer:
Always have the confidence to keep learning, trying things, and discover what works and what does not. Build a community of support, don't be afraid to try things, and use and learn best practices to build your business. I have always grown up in what were traditionally male owned and operated businesses, both in my career (Recreation & Therapeutic Recreation) and here on the farm. My parents exposed me to Farm Bureau, Dairy Committee, Watertown Farmers Association, and gave me the confidence to be there and have a voice. Experiences in 4-H, Girl Scouts and Special Olympics were all leadership and character building. I am grateful for all those opportunities, which allowed me to help build and continue this farm with my family.
👉 Follow Karen at to learn more!
