“People joining our community agree that this kind of farming is how agriculture should look in the region,” says Elena. They are currently introducing the concept of self-sustaining “environmentally friendly villages.” Their community already collaborates in several ways – including by sharing compost, and by organizing rubbish and recycling collection in their region which otherwise does not benefit from waste man- agement services. “The agricultural land was not this productive when we started 11 years ago,” says Vladislav of the results.Įlena and Vladislav’s efforts are also bringing a sense of community back to life in the villages. To further boost crop productivity and support local bee populations, a variety of plants and fruit trees with high nectar production are kept on the property. Instead of using chemical pesticides, the farmers attract specific birds to the farm that hunt destructive insects. They also work to maintain a good nutrient balance in the soil through crop rotation, and by applying fertilizing compost consisting of a mix of turf, manure, and food waste. To prevent nutrient runoff, Elena and Vladislav have enclosed their land with hedges and trees. “While we don’t use commercial chemical pesticides and fertilizers, we realize that there can be some runoff from the soil anyway.” “Organic farming is not neutral in any way in terms of nutrient runoff,” says Vladislav. And they’re aware that staying true to this commitment requires thinking beyond property lines. The agricultural land was not this productive when we started 11 years ago.Ĭombining modern measures with a traditional approach, Elena and Vladislav are committed to farming in a way that is as respectful to nature as possible. Today it has become one of their most distinguishing products. The rising popularity of the traditional tea combined with the fact that the herb was flourishing on otherwise unproductive land was a good sign that the farmers should try adding it to their agricultural mix. ![]() “While we were clearing the fields from small trees, shrubs, and fireweed Chamaenerion angustifolium, an idea came to mind – the fireweed was traditionally used for the preparation of the tea-like product Kiprey tea,” recalls Elena. ![]() Using low-impact, organic methods, they produce fruits, vegetables, honey, and an ancient herb which was unexpectedly discovered during restoration. Elena Romanova and Vladislav Kirbatiev are among those collaborating for this vision. In 2008, a small union of farmers came together to restore the agricultural lands of three abandoned villages.
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