Νέα Γεωργία Νέα Γενιά

Agrifood Leadership

Developing the Future Leaders of Agrifood in Greece

The organization New Agriculture New Generation is designing and implementing for the 3rd time in Greece the innovative Agrifood Leadership program, under the academic guidance of Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA.

The first specialized Leadership Program in Greece for the agrifood sector!

Agrifood Leadership is a high-quality educational program designed for entrepreneurs, professionals, and emerging leaders in the agrifood industry.

The main goal of the program is to provide essential and practical knowledge related to the development of leadership skills, communication abilities, and expertise on selected key topics in the sector (agronomic and environmental).

Target Audience:

– Executives, entrepreneurs, farm owners, members of cooperatives and producer groups, agribusiness banking professionals, and public sector staff
– Emerging mid-to-senior level executives who hold positions of responsibility and lead teams
– Talented professionals in development who are about to lead new teams or have recently assumed leadership roles

Program Format:

Seven experiential three-day sessions including training, structured networking activities, on-site visits to key agrifood decision-making centers, and hands-on leadership role-playing activities — along with three online training sessions.

Program Modules:

  • Leadership and Communication

  • Leadership and Management

  • Leadership and Analytical Skills

  • Creating the Leader

  • Building and Working with Teams

  • Marketing Strategy

  • Governance / EU Decision-Making

  • Agricultural Economy and Policy / Visit to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (ΥΠΑΑΤ)

  • Business Management

  • Digital Marketing

Olive Cultivation and Olive Oil Production Seminar

The aim of this specific open and modern seminar is to provide participants – in a short period of time – with introductory knowledge and important basic information on olive tree care.

The topics covered include olive tree pruning, plant physiology, appropriate cultivation techniques, plant protection methods, and the use of irrigation systems.

Simple, fast, on your own time

This webinar is asynchronous and can be followed at your own pace, allowing you to grow your knowledge whenever and however you want.

This course is addressed to:

• Olive growers, whether professionally or supplementarily involved.

• Professionals from the entire value chain of olives and olive oil, such as olive mill owners, processors, and traders.

• Students and young professionals: Individuals who wish to gain knowledge about olives.

Meet the Instructor, Dimitrios Psathas:

Dimitrios Psathas is a lecturer at Perrotis College of the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, specializing in Olive Cultivation and Olive Oil Processing Systems. As the founder of Klea Premium Goods, he plays a leading role in ensuring the quality of the company’s products. With extensive experience as an Agronomist Consultant, he has made significant contributions to olive grove management and the production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil. He is a certified olive oil taster and has been recognized in various competitions and research programs.

Queen Rearing in Central Greece – Utilization, Conservation, and Improvement of Bee Genetic Material | Phase B: Queen Rearing in Practice

New Agriculture New Generation announces the second phase of the training and advisory program “Queen Rearing in Central Greece – Utilization, Conservation, and Improvement of Bee Genetic Material | Phase B: Queen Rearing in Practice,” which will be implemented in the Regional Units (R.U.) of Boeotia, Evrytania, Phthiotis, and Phocis.

Summary

The program is co-financed by the New Agriculture New Generation organization through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the Region of Central Greece, the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, and the APIVITA within the framework of the Billion Bees Program.

The program is carried out in cooperation with the Agricultural University of Athens, under the scientific guidance of the Laboratory of Sericulture and Queen Rearing, led by Associate Professor George Gkoras. It is being implemented for the third consecutive year, having started in 2022 in Thessaly and continued the following year in Evia. As part of this, the program has already received significant recognition in Greece, including the Bravo Sustainability Award 2022 in the category of “Protection of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” and the GOLD Environmental Award in the “Sustainable Agriculture” category. Program beekeepers also significantly contributed to the “Restarting Beekeeping in Thessaly: Queen Rearing: Replacement and Conservation of Endemic Genetic Material” program, which provided support to beekeepers affected by the “Daniel” storm by supplying 27,000 king bee cells from selected genetic material.

Overall, the program “Queen Rearing in Central Greece: Utilization, Conservation, and Improvement of Bee Genetic Material” consists of two components:

  1. The identification and specialized training of up to 20 individuals with knowledge and experience in beekeeping practices, who will be trained in king bee breeding and royal jelly production, as well as general specialized knowledge in correct beekeeping practices. After receiving this essential training, the 9 most qualified will be selected to support the next phase of the program.

  2. The activation of 9 selected specialized vaccinators in the Region of Central Greece (approximately 2 people per Regional Unit – Boeotia, Evrytania, Phthiotis, Phocis). Their action will involve coordinating with local beekeepers who wish to participate in the program, organizing demonstrations and carrying out the vaccination of king bee cells to produce high-quality queens from selected genetic material.

Objective of Phase B

Phase B follows the first phase of the program, through which 9 beekeepers in Central Greece were trained in . These specialized beekeepers have the ability to present the method, explain the process in detail, and answer questions from participating beekeepers. The goal is to familiarize a large number of beekeepers with the process of producing high-quality queens and implementing a significant number of king bee cell vaccinations. During this period, the region It will be supported with up to 7,500 high-quality queen cells, derived from the genetic material of the beneficiary beekeeper.

Specifically, each beekeeper participating in the program will:

  • Receive up to 30 king bee cells, free of charge, from selected genetic material.

  • Learn the step-by-step process of king bee breeding alongside trained beekeepers in their area.

The long-term goal of the program is the mass production of selected genetic material throughout the Regional Units of Boeotia, Evrytania, Phthiotis, and Phocis, with the ultimate goal of increasing production and developing more resilient bee colonies through the optimization of endemic genetic material. In this way, queen Rearing in Central Greece will be strengthened, biodiversity in the region will be enhanced, and local agricultural production will be supported, as bees are among the most important pollinators of plants (over 85% of plants related to agricultural production).

Who the program is addressed to:

Any beekeeper active in the wider area of Central Greece (excluding Evia).

Region of action for the 2025 cycle

R.U. of Central Greece (excluding Evia)

Timeline

Phase B of the vaccinations will last approximately from April to September 2025.

Participation Cost

FREE

Watch the video from a previous cycle of the program.

Contact Numbers for Evrytania

  • Panagiotis Kalogeropoulos, 6997182332

  • Thomas Skotidas, 6973705211

Contact Numbers for Boeotia

  • Lambros Igglezos, 6972471961

  • Thanasis Kalantzis, 6942768383

  • Nikolaos Rahoutis, 6946508234

Contact Numbers for Phthiotis

  • Christos Karapetsakos, 6955904274

  • Giannis Mokas, 6977647066

Contact Numbers for Phocis

  • Nikos Kritzalis, 6997729573

  • Giorgos Pappos, 6972834249

For More Information

  • Filippa Griva
    Agricultural University of Athens
    Contact Phone: 6970508200
    Email: [email protected]

  • Kalliopi Karampoyki, Capacity Building Manager
    Nea Georgia Nea Genia
    Contact Phone: 2106917986, 6972096122
    Email: [email protected]

Mastic trees: Ensuring the future of a national product – Knowledge transfer and innovation network in Chios

The program follows the successful action “Mastic Trees: Modern Techniques of Propagation and Cultivation”, implemented from October 2021 to May 2023 in Chios. This program aims to create the first organized network for knowledge and innovation transfer for mastic cultivation on the island of Chios, from producer to producer (peer to peer).

The program is divided into two implementation phases:

  1. The first phase involves selecting 20 mastic producers from the 24 Mastic Villages of Chios who already have relevant experience in cultivation. These selected producers will be trained to educate other producers in their area through seminars and workshops. The selected producers will serve as reference points in their region.
  2. In the second phase, all interested mastic producers in Chios can participate in receiving knowledge about mastic cultivation from the trained producers of the first phase. This phase involves knowledge exchange and problem-solving facilitated by the New Agriculture New Generation, the Chios Mastic Growers Association and the Laboratory of Floriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The program aims to enhance mastic cultivation techniques and create a sustainable network of knowledge transfer among mastic producers in Chios. It is co-funded by the New Agriculture New Generation and the Chios Mastic Growers Association and supported by The Hellenic Initiative. Founding Donor of New Agriculture New Generation is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

Target Audience

  • Participants in the first phase: Mastic producers aged 18-45 (or 46-55 if necessary), members of the primary cooperatives of the Chios Mastic Growers Association, willing to participate in the training program and transfer their knowledge to other producers in their region.
  • Participants in the second phase: All interested mastic producers in Chios.

Program of Studies

The program includes topics such as propagation of mastic trees, fertilization, biodiversity, pest control, harvesting techniques, and integrated mastic cultivation practices.