The 7th educational session of the Agrifood Leadership 2025–2026 program was successfully completed in Kalavryta from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, 2026, featuring the thematic units “Climate Leadership: Enhancing Agrifood Resilience” with trainer Dr. Dimitris Voloudakis and “Social Media & Personal Branding” with trainer Sotiris Katselos.
The Agrifood Leadership 2025–2026 program is implemented by the organization New Agriculture New Generation under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food. Rutgers University (USA) serves as the Technical and Strategic Advisor of the program. Sponsor of the educational session was the Agricultural Dairy Cooperative of Kalavryta.
The program was created through the founding grant of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
Climate leadership and resilience in the agrifood sector
During the educational session, participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the modern challenges faced by the agrifood sector due to climate change through the training delivered by Mr. Dimitris Voloudakis, General Programs Director, New Agriculture New Generation. His presentation focused on the concept of climate leadership and the importance of developing resilient agrifood systems capable of responding to continuously changing environmental and economic conditions. At the same time, the role of innovation, collaboration and sustainable natural resource management was highlighted as a key factor in strengthening resilience and promoting the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
Social Media and Personal Branding in the modern agrifood sector
Through the training delivered by Mr. Sotiris Katselos, Communications Director, New Agriculture New Generation, participants explored the importance of Social Media and Personal Branding in the modern agrifood and food sector. The training focused on how professionals and food businesses can leverage digital media to strengthen their outreach and visibility, as well as promote their products more effectively. Particular emphasis was placed on authentic communication, strategic content creation and the development of a strong professional identity through practical examples and contemporary digital practices.
Educational visit to the facilities of the Kalavryta Cooperative
Animal feed production unit and dairy production unit
On the following day of the educational session, participants visited the facilities of the Agricultural Dairy Cooperative of Kalavryta, where they had the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the operation of its production units and the overall organization of cooperative activities.
At the dairy production unit, participants observed the milk reception stage and the milk processing procedure, with particular emphasis on feta cheese production, from raw material to final product, highlighting the key stages of the production process and the continuous quality control applied at every stage.
Similarly, at the animal feed production unit, participants were introduced to the operation of the facility and the logistics processes implemented for the organization, storage and distribution of feed supplies to cooperative members, highlighting the crucial role of smooth supply flow and resource management in supporting the production process.
Inspiration through cooperative philosophy
A particularly important moment of the program was the meeting with Mr. Pavlos Satolias, President of the Agricultural Dairy Cooperative of Kalavryta and President of ETHEAS, during which participants had the opportunity to learn more about the history, values and development path of the cooperative. Through his presentation, the critical role of the cooperative model in strengthening local production, collective action and the sustainable development of rural Greece was highlighted.
At the same time, Mr. Satolias shared insights and experiences regarding the operation and evolution of the cooperative, placing emphasis on its organizational structure, collective strategy and contribution to strengthening the agrifood supply chain. Finally, reference was made to the development opportunities and challenges currently faced by cooperative schemes within the modern conditions of the agricultural sector.
Visit to the Municipal Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust
As part of the educational session, beneficiaries also had the opportunity to visit the Municipal Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust, where they were welcomed and guided by the Mayor of Kalavryta, Mr. Thanasis Papadopoulos. Through the guided tour, participants became acquainted with the tragic history of this historic town.
Acknowledgements and supporters
New Agriculture New Generation warmly thanks the Agricultural Dairy Cooperative of Kalavryta for its valuable support and hospitality in Kalavryta, as well as for the educational visits to the animal feed production unit and dairy production unit of the Cooperative.
Supporters of the remaining educational sessions of the program are: the Consortium of Cooperatives and Producer Groups of Imathia, the Agricultural Poultry Cooperative of Ioannina PINDOS, the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association, COMPO EXPERT and Lidl Hellas.
The program is also supported by NBIS.
