From Soil to Soul: Agroecology Under the Turkish Sun

But the most profound part of our journey happened at Jade Farm. Walking through 19 hectares of designed permaculture paradise, we was struck not just by the polycultures and water-harvesting systems, but by the people. Most of the employees were women—strong, knowledgeable, and deeply connected to the earth. They were already incredible stewards of the land; they shared generations of intuitive understanding about the local climate and flora.

Agroecology isn't just a set of techniques; it's a conversation. It’s a cooperative development where everyone has something to teach and something to learn. In Turkey, we found some of our most inspiring teachers.

Our understanding of the land has been shaped by two distinct worlds. It began in the Valparaíso region of Chile, where we learned to read the dry soils and work with endemic flora. The challenges there—water scarcity, soil erosion—taught us the urgency of resilience and the cleverness of working with, not against, nature.

In 2022, our work has taken us across the vibrant landscapes of Turkey—from the outskirts of Istanbul to the fertile plains of Sakarya. As an independent agroecological consultancy, our mission is to partner with forward-thinking farms to transform their practices from the ground up.

Aquaseed journey is a blend of science, education, and a deep belief in sustainable systems. We don't just advise on organic protocols; we work hand-in-hand with farm staff to build a resilient agricultural ecosystem. This means moving beyond chemical solutions to nurture the soil's natural vitality and the landscape's inherent biodiversity.

At Hotel Resort Villa Fe in Çatalca, we consulted on a 1.6-hectare organic farm, designing strategies for natural weed and pest control, implementing effective crop rotation, and introducing biofertilizers to enrich the soil. But the real victory was in the training: empowering the team through hands-on workshops in composting methods and understanding the critical role of ecosystem services.