Kamarantho

Kamarantho is a proposal for a model of farming in Paros and, more broadly, the Aegean islands, but equally a living example of the farming practices and methods that should be used on the island and in this country.
We aim at demonstrating and prove that a modern, environmentally beneficial, viable agricultural and agro-touristic business is able to exist and make a positive contribution to the change of the established and yet destructive mentalities and practices of the past.
Our goals are:
• To create a model visitable polyculture farm, well adapted in the ecosystem of the Cyclades, and more specifically of Paros, which will offer pleasure, knowledge and experiences to its visitors, local and foreign.
• To produce excellent pure organic products that will get established in the local market and will be loved by the consumers.
• To operate as a base for the learning and application of the most appropriate modern organic farming practices.
• To succeed in promoting a model of small-scale organic agriculture based on the principles of permaculture and sustainable tourism.
Why visit Kamarantho?
• Our cultivation practices at Kamarantho seek to emulate a natural forest ecosystem. Trees, bushes, grasses, tubers, and climbing plants are cultivated together and coexist as they do naturally in a forest.
• Our crops do not follow the usual linear configuration in space.
• The variety and alternation of the plants result in larger biodiversity, greater balance and resilience in extreme weather conditions as well as when under the attack of harmful insects and pathogens.
• Control of weeds is done through a dense soil cover with plant residue (straw, chipped branches from pruning) and through mowing.
• There has been extensive planting of nitrogen-binding trees and bushes, which are also resistant to hot, dry conditions
• Polyculture, in contrast to monoculture.
• We compost the farm’s plant residue.
• We collect rainwater
• We use an automated remote-control Greenhouse Management System.
• We handpick our herbs at the appropriate time
• We harvest our olives early, using the traditional harvesting methods

TOUR AND TASTING

Visitors will tour our farm and premises and see:
• Approximately 700 mostly young trees olives, figs, pomegranates, almonds, carobs, acacias, as well as a few lemons, quince and apricot trees.
• Crops of about 3,500 aromatic-medicinal plants (oregano, savory, dittany, sage, rosemary, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, calendula, lavender and sea fennel) as well as several capers and prickly pears.
• Wild vegetation zones containing about 250 different species of local vegetation, including fine thyme and wild orchids.
• Gardening of outdoor seasonal vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, spinach, kale, pumpkins etc.)
• Vineyard (with four local grape varieties) covering 1,000m²
• Greenhouse with rooting and plant breeding stalls as well as covered garden of vegetables and experimental crops
• Worm farm and compost production site for the needs of the farm
After the tour, guests can enjoy a refreshing drink or taste the extraordinary souma of Kamarantho at the farm kiosk. They can also taste the delicious products of Kamarantho (olive oil, olives, fresh tomato paste, sea fennel pickle etc depending on the season) as well as some local products (baked bread from the traditional bakery of Ageria, cheese from Paros Cooperative).
They can also taste the extra virgin olive oil of Kamarantho, both pure and also enriched with various flavors of the farm, and be informed about the nutritional value and properties of olive oil as well as its use in everyday cooking.
Finally, visitors can make their purchases from our retail shop before leaving.