Hello,
As many of you know I am a dual citizen, first generation Greek immigrant and have graduated as a political scientist with a minor in agricultural studies from the University of Tennessee.
My day job is as a flight attendant, but as I am currently on leave for an extended period due to the pandemic, I would like to use this time to pursue my true philanthropic passion - re-education for farmers in rural Greece (specifically Epirus and Western Macedonia) to make their dying profession more profitable and to assist urban dwellers in areas like Ioannina and Kozani into permanently returning to the χωριό (ancestral village) to become self-sustainable in these volatile times.
The Greek villages are dying. Once thriving cultural bubbles have turned into summer homes at best, or have been demolished to build tourist resorts on the water in worse faring scenarios. I grew up working farms with my dad and παππούς (grandfather) and have been active in new agricultural techniques and irrigation methods, as well as organic beekeeping methods since I can remember. I have expanded these techniques with my education and have started many small projects with farmers in Thesprotia, where I originate.
My goal is to spend planting / harvesting season with farmers throughout the region and both show them new techniques, as well as marketing methods to keep Greek products in Greek hands. Too many Greek companies like Dodoni or Mythos have been sold to foreign corporations and the youth of Greece now relies heavily only on the tourism Industry, which has been heavily devastated by corona. It's time to teach the struggling farmers and the youth New labor skills that will keep them sovereign.
Thank you very much
