Tierra y Libertad has always been based around relationships. The relationships between the farmer and their farm and the local community and the relationship between the farmer and those who buy their products are of the highest importance for us. Building these relationships is something we focus on. One of the best ways to build and strengthen these relationships is to host our partners who buy Tierra y Libertad products each week. It is always a pleasure to welcome these visitors and show them around various farms. The itinerary depends on the time of year, the amount of time the visitors have and which specific products they usually buy from us.
Recently we hosted Christopher and Nicolas from Le Recolte, a project in Paris of 4 shops selling fresh products sourced directly from farmers in France and further afield. It is a project very much in line with the values of Tierra y Libertad, and our farmers were really happy to welcome them and show them around their farms. We had 3 days together and were able to visit multiple farms in the area around Malaga and Cordoba.
Christopher and Nicolas were very curious and enthusiastic to meet the farmers and see how they grew their crops. They tasted for the first time a custard apple at Josés farm in Jete (Tropicultura) and delicious fallen avocados lying ripe on the ground at Carlos Marquez in Sayalonga. The next day we were in Cordoba, a completely different environment from the sub tropical coast. Juan from Biovalle spent the morning showing us around his beautiful farm on the Guadalquivir river, where oranges have been grown since at least Moorish times. Walking around the orange grove picking oranges and mandarins off the trees and eating them was a special experience for the guys, giving them an idea of the abundance that Juan and his brother have created here on this farm over the last decade.
After eating lunch in Cordoba and visiting the old town, we spent the afternoon with Rafa from Olivovivo in his olive grove, which has views over Cordoba and its Great Mosque. We learnt about cultivating olives and saw clearly the stark difference between an industrial olive plantation, which has been planted next to Rafa by a huge Spanish supermarket chain, and his human scale farm run by him, his wife and brother.
The next day was in the valley of Guadalhorce with Manolo from Cooperativa Guadalhorce Ecologica. We started at one of my very favourite farmers of Tierra y Libertad, Paco Bedoya, our oldest member. His lemon grove is a marvel to stroll through, and he always has a story or two to tell. Then onto Manolo’s own farm, where he has figs and pomegranate, and finally to the papaya greenhouse of Manolo Serra, a kind of tropical oasis. Entering the greenhouse is a surreal experience – dry and cool outside, hot and humid inside, with lush green plants and papaya fruits everywhere.
So a busy 3 days but very enjoyable for everyone. Hopefully Nicolas and Christopher are now able to tell the stories to their colleagues and clients of the Tierra y Libertad farmers, who they are and how they grow their fruit. This adds the human touch – the relationship part – to selling our products that for us is crucial, and for Nicolas and Christopher and the team at Le Recolte also. Thanks for the visit guys, hopefully see you again soon – in Paris next time with some of our farmers!
Confirmed father, alleged farmer, an occasional writer, undoubted if undistinguished linguist, shameless traveller, unreformed poet of the Chinese recluse type.
