Greek Culture

How Athenians are Cultivating their own food

Farm-to-table is slowly becoming not just a trend but a serious lifestyle choice for Athenians. Farma Moo offers a well-organised, enjoyable and upbeat way of reaping the benefits of seasonal, pesticide-free produce at home while also discovering the art of farming in a hands-on way.

Athenians living in flats with tiny balconies where only a handful of geraniums grow can now become active farmers growing their own bio food. That’s all thanks to Farma Moo, located in Nea Makri in eastern Attica, in a 40,000 square metre natural landscape. The farm is in an idyllic spot, surrounded by mountains and near a river, and is home to a lively family of animals - rabbits and peacocks, Shetland ponies and sheep adopted from Cameroon, geese, chickens of all races, a horse and a donkey. For a mere 150 euros for a 6-month season of produce, members can rent a 30 metre square plot and plant fruit, veggies and herbs of their choice.

“We carefully tend our member’s plots but encourage them to come here themselves to cultivate their land and gather their own produce, so that they can enjoy having contact with nature,” says Eleni Apergi. “We can advise them on how to farm their produce and they are free to use whatever farming methods they choose, such as Biodynamic farming for example - as long as it’s organic. We don’t use any kind of pesticides or chemical fertilisers,” Apergi underlines, “and have brought a variety of insects that help the farming process. We also don’t slaughter any of or animals, we allow them to age gracefully and happily!”

Together with three friends, Angelike Vassiliadis, Angelos Boukis and Michalis Kanalis, Apergi dreamed up Farma Moo a few years ago mainly because of their own need for a more natural, ecological and tranquil way of life, which they soon decided to share with the wider public. “Our farm is like a small village,” she says, “where people can come and pick their produce, go for hikes on the mountains or to the nearby Rapedosas dam, where there’s a lake and beautiful waterfalls to bathe in during summer and participate in nature-based activities. Workshops are organised to inspire kids to learn about nature first-hand via theatre, creative play and storytelling, and school groups have started visiting the farm too. Kids can also play on our wooden swings, ride Shetland ponies and help feed the animals.”

Meanwhile, the farm also makes some of its own food products, using its home-grown produce—jams, spoon sweets, honey, and, of course, fresh eggs. Weekend visitors can relax at its lovely cafe-restaurant to sample homemade lemonade, ice cream, and omelettes, among other snacks created from fresh seasonal produce.

“When we first heard of Farma Moo and decided to visit the farm and meet the owners, we weren’t expecting too much, to be honest. But we were amazed. It is extremely well organised, and the people who run it are very down to earth, helpful and interested in sharing new ideas about farming,” says Arwen Curley Panteleakis, one of the (currently)  members. “We are enthusiastic to be able to enjoy our own fresh produce - such as a huge array of tomatoes, courgettes, strawberries, aubergines, cucumbers and more. It’s incredible what just four people are doing at this place - the upkeep of the land, the animals and at the weekend, their great restaurant-cafe!”

The couple, who live in central Athens, have extensive experience farming their own foods after living for many years on an island and growing a huge host of produce. “I’m thrilled,” says Arwen, whose friends nicknamed her Lara Crop in her island-living days, “that finally we can farm again, and the sky’s the limit of what we can grow!”

Ads1

Ads1
Alexia Amvrazi

Alexia Amvrazi enjoys the thrill of discovering beauty in the world around her. With a passionately hands-on approach to Greece's travel, gastronomy, holistic living, culture, innovation and creativity, for 20 years she has explored and shared her findings with the world on all aspects of the country and its people via writing, radio, blogs and videos. Although her childhood and early youth in Italy, Egypt and England left her feeling somewhat root-less, she is by now firmly connected to her native land, bravely weathering the hurricane known as the Greek crisis!

Recent Posts

Funding for Greece's Homeless Housing and Employment Program Increased to 20 Million Euros

The Greek Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs has doubled the funding for its…

54 minutes ago

Turkish Controversy Surfaces Ahead of Imia Anniversary

In a provocative move ahead of the Imia anniversary, retired Turkish Admiral Cem Gürdeniz challenged…

58 minutes ago

Paros’ Ancient Marble Quarries Digitally Unveiled

The ancient underground marble quarries of Marathi on Paros, dating back to the 5th century…

3 hours ago

Paleo Faliro Murder Case: Turkish Defendant Claims Provocation, Requests Psychiatric Evaluation

A 39-year-old Turkish national accused of murdering a 60-year-old OPAP agency owner in Paleo Faliro…

3 hours ago

Lelex, a foundational figure and mythical king in Spartan history

Lelex is a foundational figure in Spartan history. As a mythical king, he is often…

3 hours ago

Theodoros Roussopoulos Unanimously Re-Elected President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

Theodoros Roussopoulos has been unanimously re-elected as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council…

3 hours ago