#Education – Guardians of the Groves: Protecting Turkey’s Ancient Olive Heritage

Beneath the sunlit canopies of Turkey’s Aegean coast, ancient olive trees whisper stories of resilience. For millennia, they have nurtured life, sustained cultures, and created a profound connection to the earth. Today, the guardians of these groves are stepping forward to protect this heritage, forging a path toward a sustainable future.

The Challenge: Disappearing Ancient Olive Pastures

Turkey’s ancient olive pastures are under siege, giving way to commercial orchards and marred by dams, motorways, and mining activities. These disruptions threaten biodiversity, displace local communities, and undermine Turkey’s rich cultural and ecological heritage. Amidst this turmoil, local producers struggle to maintain their traditional practices, battling against industrial cultivation and facing a pervasive lack of public awareness.

A Sustainable Solution: The Orfene System

In response to these challenges, the Orfene system emerges as a beacon of hope. This traditional method fosters a harmonious coexistence between olive groves, wildlife, livestock, and local communities, ensuring ecological balance and resilience. Slow Olive champions international collaboration to preserve these precious indigenous groves through vital training, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Innovators like Alen Mevlat exemplify sustainable agriculture, employing methods that exclude irrigation, chemicals, and fences, allowing nature to thrive alongside cultivation.

Significant Impact: A Growing Network

The efforts of the Slow Olive initiative have led to remarkable outcomes:

• Community Empowerment: Fourteen communities have joined the Slow Olive Network, united in their commitment to preserving Turkey’s olive heritage.
• Cultural Recognition: The new olive variety, Dilmit Zeytin, has been added to the Ark of Taste, heightening awareness of Turkey’s unique agricultural biodiversity.
• Expanded Reach: A European Commission grant has been secured to further expand the network, enhancing capacity for sustainable practices.
• Increased Visibility: Social media campaigns have successfully reached over 14,000 accounts, significantly boosting engagement with Turkish producers and raising awareness for traditional cultivation.
• International Solidarity: Collaborations between Turkey, Italy, and Spain have fortified efforts to protect traditional olive production, weaving a tapestry of support across borders.

The Journey Forward

As guardians of the groves, the Slow Olive community is committed to the preservation of Turkey’s ancient olive trees and the communities that depend on them. By championing sustainable practices and fostering awareness, they help ensure these cherished landscapes endure for generations to come.

The journey towards protecting this cultural heritage continues, and the Guardians of the Groves invite everyone to join in this vital mission. Together, we can cultivate a future where ancient traditions thrive alongside ecological sustainability.

We have seen the impact that creating synergies and working together with others can have; this will be the driving force of the network’s growth over the years to come.

Alen Mevlat, olive producer and Slow Food activist