How was ORGANIC TOUR 11

Taste the sweetest berries from the bush, incredible photos and a pleasant stay at the Maison Blanche estate - that's how we remembered the Organic Tour on August 14. How it all went on read on.

POINT 1: NATUR BOUTIQUE STORE, Kyiv, Verkhniy Val str., 50

Registration took place here. Participants talked and got acquainted with the range of the store.

Natur Boutique - the first in Ukraine stores of organic and healthy products (since 2008). Here are organic foods (including vegetarian, gluten-free and diabetic), health products, organic cosmetics, eco-friendly household products, as well as useful books. Tastings of tea, food, promotions for the goods of the day are held regularly. For residents of Kiev there is an option to deliver fresh food by taxi or electric bicycle.

Along the way, guide Anastasia Le Hack talked about organic products, the difference between the concepts of "organic", "eco", "bio", "environmentally friendly" and "farmer", as well as how to cleanse the body of pesticides with herbal remedies based on ginkgo , artichoke, ginger and turmeric.

POINT 2: ORGANIC FARM “LIGA AGRO”, Roslavychi village, Kyiv region.

We were met by the director of the farm Alexander Stogniy - a young and open entrepreneur who was educated in the UK.

Since 2015, berries have been grown here without pesticides and mineral fertilizers.

A total of 26.3 hectares, including 13 hectares of blueberries, the rest - strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.

There are 3 lakes on the farm and a forest around the fields with berries.

"Berries need constant care. Just like with small children, ”Oleksandr shared.

Fertilize with approved Organic Standard biofertilizers, which are selected on the basis of soil analysis.

As Alexander noted: “Organic farming requires more effort. If there is a pest on a conventional farm, it is quickly removed with pesticides, and organic is prohibited. They work with biologics, which need time to take effect. "

Weeds are mulched and weeded by hand.

From pests - trays with pheromones, biologicals, handicrafts.

To increase yields due to pollination, a hive with bees was placed.

From fungal diseases - biological products that work ahead.

From the new - this year strawberries appeared in the League of Agro range.

"We chose a sweet and fragrant variety to be like a child," said Alexander.

Drip automated irrigation is installed throughout the farm, water is used from the lake. Water quality is monitored three times a season and is very important for berries.

Blueberries love pH 4, and therefore the earth is acidified with a solution of citric acid.

Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries are certified as organic by the accredited company Organic Standard and meet the requirements for the production of organic products in the European Union (Directives 834/2007 and 889/2008).

To the question "Why did you choose organic farming?", Alexander answered: "5 years ago we had land and we thought about what to do. Stopped at organic berries. Then it was fashionable and they said that they pay 30% more for organic. But no one said that you need to invest 50% more in organic.

Organic production requires great effort and patience. And when something doesn't work out and you lose the harvest, you start thinking, do you need that organic and for what? ”

After the tour, everyone could buy berries at a special price.

POINT 3: ECOHOUSE MAISON BLANCHE MYTNYTSA, Kyiv region, Vasylkivskyi district, village Mytnytsa

Lunch was waiting for us in the cafe of the Maison Blanche Customs eco-estate.

The menu: borsch from organic vegetables, stuffed with organic cheese zucchini, salad, compote from organic berries, water with herbs, vegan jelly and pastries from organic flour.

After lunch there was free time to see the hotel, farm, garden, spa, and for shopping in the store.

The eco-estate is certified by the international eco program Green Key. Eco-hotel rooms are decorated with natural materials and natural cosmetics, cleaned only with organic, environmentally friendly means. In the building of the estate there is a store of organic products Natur Boutique, which presents natural and organic products for a healthy lifestyle. Organic Cafe offers guests international cuisine using organic, seasonal and local products. The restaurant uses bread, yogurt, homemade sweets. There is also a spa with a phytobarrel, a salt room and a sauna.

Tour organizers: private enterprise Victoria (Natur Boutique stores and Maison Blanche ecohouses). PE Victoria - co-founder of the union of producers of certified organic products Organic Ukraine.

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Till next time!

SEE ALL PHOTOS FROM THE TOUR