Supporting agroecological practices for sustainable agriculture in Greece
We work with nature, not against it
Our mission is to promote an organic, sustainable way of managing olive groves that protects the environment and its biodiversity.
Our Values
Biodiversity preservation
We support cultivation techniques that promote biodiversity, ensuring that we always work with nature and not against it. Century-old olive trees contribute to the biodiversity of our land as their cultivation is not intensive.
Holistic approach
Our work combines scientific knowledge with traditional practices in order to develop and implement agroecological innovations that have a positive impact on the environment. With a holistic approach, we strive to raise awareness and address global challenges such as climate change and natural ecosystem degradation.
Preserving agricultural heritage
Born and raised in Greece, we are passionate about preserving our agricultural heritage. We see the value in appreciating traditional practices and incorporating them into cutting edge agroecological cultivation models.
Active consumers can make a difference
We strive to raise awareness and alert consumers that their choices are vital in implementing change. When they buy locally from farms that support biodiversity, they support pollination, pest control, clean water, and a sustainable food supply.
Forward-thinking
We are on a mission to disrupt the destructive farming practices that are harming our planet. We believe firmly that our future lies in agroecological innovation and the broad implementation of sustainable practices. Business as usual is not for us.
Meet our team
Theodor Hainis
Theodor has dedicated his life to ecological agriculture. Since he was a child, farming and gardening played a prominent role in his life, so naturally, he decided to become a plant production agronomist. At University, he learned all about the conventional farming methods, but his deep appreciation of nature motivated him to explore ways that protect consumers, farmers, and rural communities from land degradation and exposure to toxic pesticides. The next step was a professional qualification in Organic Agriculture and an active role as an organic farming advisor and consultant.
His work quickly became a personal mission to improve traditional agriculture, explore local varieties, and spread ecological awareness among farmers. It wasn’t until 2014, when he discovered the neglected century-old olive trees, that he decided to start the Themelion project.
Dikaia Varla
Dikaia enjoys nothing more than being out on the fields investigating crops and offering advice to small farmers. She is driven by her desire to put her scientific knowledge to good use.
After studying Crop Science at the Agricultural University of Athens, she specialized in Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products. This field aims to discover small molecules that can be used for pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and agrochemical applications. So many Greek medicinal and aromatic plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine due to their pharmacological and biological properties. Nowadays, she considers it her duty is to explore the value of Greek flora.
