Let’s make a walnut forest, all together!

Project location

Peristera is a tiny village of around 25 residents and it is located in the northern part of rural Greece in Kozani province (https://goo.gl/maps/pt5UwqeoXWJadAQT9). Peristera is built on 712 meters and combined with the geographical relief of the area forms the appropriate conditions for walnut and chestnut cultivation. At the moment the main focus of locals is on cereal and medicinal or aromatic herb cultivation.

Our vision

The main goal is to create a walnut orchard on our privately owned land, where there is enough space for maximum 600 trees. The plan is to purchase 3 year old plants, while the production of nuts starts when the plant is 7 years old. Your contribution will help us finance our project for the first years when the revenue will be almost zero. With your help we will be able to buy the plants and implement improvements on our land, which will enhance the productivity and decrease the chances of underachievement. Furthermore, Research and Development on production(quality, quantity) and on potential future markets is essential to go one step forward

Here’s a break-down of what the funding will go toward:

For the first couple years of production the main source of income will be the raw nut. This will help finance our future projects which is the extraction of walnut oil. This is used as aroma and flavor compound in cold dishes, while it is also used in beauty products. Last but not least, studies showed that herbal tea from the walnut tree leaves is beneficial for diabetics.

Nutritional value

Walnuts are thought to be unique among fruits and vegetable foods as they have strong antioxidant capacity. Recent research has proved that walnuts have high nutritional value and can be part of a balanced diet, as long as the daily income does not exceed 30-60 g. It’s a food which is rich in fiber (2g./30g.), metals (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, copper) and vitamins, as shown in the chart below.

Vitamins	Amount (%)
Vitamin A equiv.	1 μg (0%)
Beta-carotene	12 μg (0%)
lutein zeaxanthin	9 μg (0%)
Vitamin A	20 IU
Thiamine (B1)	0.341 mg (30%)
Riboflavin (B2)	0.15 mg (13%)
Niacin (B3)	1.125 mg (8%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.570 mg (11%)
Vitamin B6	0.537 mg (41%)
Folate (B9)	98 μg (25%)
Vitamin B	120 μg (0%)
Vitamin C	1.3 mg (2%)
Vitamin D	0 μg (0%)
Vitamin D	0 IU (0%)
Vitamin E	0.7 mg (5%)
Vitamin K	2.7 μg (3%)

Legend: μg = micrograms; mg = milligrams; IU = International units. Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults (Source: USDA Nutrient Database).

How do we consume walnuts?

A walnut can be consumed with several ways, as raw, with no processing, roasted and salted. It can be used as well in cooking and pastry. Another use is in pharmaceutical industry and in production of walnut oil.

Health benefits

Daily consumption of walnuts can reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, diabetes type 2 and various health problems. Recent studies showed that walnuts decrease the risk of a heart attack. Walnuts consist of rich source of natural substances with antioxidant capacity as melatonin, oleic acid, vitamin Ε, carotenoids and polyphenols. All the above components show protective action against cancer, aging, occurrence of inflammation and mental disorders.

Trees as a strong shield against climate change!

New studies showed that if we plant a trillion trees along the whole world, the amount of carbon dioxide on the atmosphere will decrease dramatically due to their ability to convert CO ₂ into O₂. This is the simplest, most enviromental and cost efficient solution, as scientists claim nowadays, for the confrontation of the climate change phenomenon.

The benefits from the cultivation of walnuts are many more. The growth of agricultural production contributes to the confrontation of the climate change, which is our main and biggest priority. In mountainous and semi-mountainous areas of Greece tree planting could be planned with walnut and chestnut cultivations, offering farmers an additional income, and at the same time raising the level of the atmosphere’s oxygen and decreasing also the air pollution. Moreover, the fact previous mentioned will contribute to the control of the environment’s temperature, avoiding as a result high temperatures. Pointing to that direction we commit in planting indigenous trees in the area of village Peristera, like walnut tree, so as to be created forests in areas that have been degraded soils or have been poor vegetation.

THREE GOOD REASONS TO INVEST TO OUR PROJECT

• Creation of organic walnut orchard
• One step against climate change
• Supporting the local community