The bounty of a balcony, the country's hope

Trabzon-based organic farming volunteer Fatih Çolak, who started growing heirloom seeds as a hobby on his balcony years ago, has today turned it into an awareness movement across Turkey. With his entirely self-funded efforts, Çolak has sent over 150,000 heirloom seeds free of charge to all corners of the country. Living in Trabzon, Fatih Çolak noticed years ago that while growing vegetables on his balcony, hybrid seeds were not yielding results. Realizing this, he began collecting heirloom seeds from various provinces in Turkey. Çolak multiplied these seeds, making them sustainable. After a health issue he faced four years ago, he shifted his focus more towards natural and healthy production. By delivering seeds to farmers in many parts of Turkey, Çolak enabled pilot plantings, demonstrating that high yields can be achieved without chemicals. Producing on a portion of his land in Trabzon, Çolak shares his produce with neighbors, maintaining the seed cycle. He also sends free ...