Cem in the Spotlight

There seems to be a growing Eco movement in the Bodrum area, with Organic shops springing up all over the Peninsula, and the Slow Food Bodrum Convivium hosting activities and events for the local community.

I keep seeing seed-exchange events for local gardeners and food producers, and there’s a few eco-tour companies beginning to emerge. All good trends – and I hope they continue to flourish.

Today we’re meeting Cem, the founder of the Bodrum Ecofarm in Turgutreis. He has lived in the Bodrum area for over 20 years, and opened the Ecofarm a couple of years ago on the outskirts of Turgutreis.

 

How did you start the Eco Farm?

I started Ecofarm because I wanted to do something more sustainable on land. My first task was to attack the jungle on the land and then learn how to farm this space – I only knew a little about farming before.

My favorite part of living at Ecofarm is being able to create something more permanant that my visitors and I can later enjoy.

What’s the busiest time of year for you?

Spring is our busiest time at the farm. We do a lot of planting, weeding and have many breakfast guests during this time.

Do you have extra pairs of hands helping you?

I knew about, and always planned on inviting volunteers to the Ecofarm. Many volunteers find the Ecofarm through Workaway and tend to stay about two-three weeks. We have volunteers year round at the Ecofarm. There is always work to be done!

Can you tell us a little about the EcoFarm?

The local community mostly comes to enjoy the breakfast we serve! We are open for breakfast everyday of the week from April through November and in winter we serve breakfast only on weekends–Saturday and Sunday. My favourite thing we serve is our organic eggs from our chickens. We are make and sell jams, breads and olives.

We also offer workshops like making jam and bread and activities for kids at the farm.

We are always busy doing something new to grow at Ecofarm!

What are your plans for the Future?

I want to create the most self-sustaining space as possible, bringing nothing in from outside sources. We are always working towards this goal, and are currently building greenhouses to grow more food.

I hope more sustainable farms will open on the Bodrum Peninsula.

Thanks for the introduction to the Eco Farm Cem, can’t wait to visit for breakfast

You and your family are always welcome – can’t wait to see you here!

Volunteering at the EcoFarm

I first came across the EcoFarm when I read an article from Russell on his “Our Own World Trip” blog. He lives in Spain with his family, but is originally from England. In September 2013, he visited the Bodrum Peninsula and worked with Cem at the EcoFarm, in exchange for food and accommodation via Workaway. Here’s what he had to say about the experience. Here’s what Russell had to say about the EcoFarm:

Bodrum Ecofarm is the first farm of this kind in the area, it’s the brainchild of Cem (pronounced Gem, he is a real Gem!!) who wanted to spend more time with his young family after spending the last 25 years as a boat captain and dive instructor around the local Aegean sea and as far afield as Thailand.  He brings a well organised approach to his business as well as an air of relaxed calm, his change from a seafaring expert to a man of the land seems to be going well.

Our main roles as “workawayers” have been to look after the animals by feeding them and watering, which needs to be done twice a day; helping out in the kitchen preparing and serving breakfast to the guests; weeding; building a road with stones so that guests can walk around the farm easily; gardening; painting; creating a video for advertising.

• Facebook page for Bodrum EcoFarm

• FourSquare page for Bodrum Eco-Farm 

• Workaway Listing for Bodrum Eco-Farm

• Bodrum EcoFarm Telephone: +90 536 229 4674

 

 

© Photo copyright Cem at Bodrum EcoFarm and Russell at Our Own World Trip