As part of the South Aegean Open Farm Days 2026, a new initiative focused on gastronomy, agritourism, and hands-on experiences with local production, The Region of South Aegean, in collaboration with Open Farm, is implementing the “Train the Farmer” educational program.
The goal is to provide those working in production and tourism with knowledge, practical tools, and new skills for developing agritourism experiences in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
Agritourism represents a significant opportunity for the islands of the South Aegean, as it can create new sources of income for producers, promote local products, highlight the cultural identity of each region, and offer visitors authentic experiences by connecting the land, local production, gastronomy, and the people who live there.
“Train the Farmer” is designed to give participants the tools to turn this potential into reality.
The South Aegean Open Farm Days 2026 are part of the Region of South Aegean’s broader strategy for gastronomy, local production, and sustainable development, as well as the initiatives being developed as part of the Region of South Aegean’s bid for the title of World Gastronomy Region 2028.
Train the Farmer: Practical Tools for Agritourism
The training program includes four online training seminars, organized into two synchronous e-learning sessions, featuring expert speakers.
Wednesday, September 16 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
“The Transformative Role of Agritourism – Environment, Society, Economy”
Maria Partalidou, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
“Agritourism as an Experience: How to Create Products That Visitors Want to Experience”
Marina Kavallieraki, Consultant for Cultural & Agritourism Experiences
Wednesday, September 23 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
“Agritourism in Practice—Creating, Pricing, and Promoting Experiences”
Stavros Papadopoulos, Sustainable & Alternative Tourism Consultant
“Visitor-Friendly Farms – Their Value and the Existing Legal Framework”
Panagiotis Papadopoulos, Agronomist, Head & Co-Founder of Open Farm
Participants will gain practical knowledge on designing and costing agritourism experiences, attracting and hosting visitors, promoting their experiences, as well as the regulatory framework for visitor-friendly farms.
Who is it for?
Train the Farmer is aimed at:
· producers and farmers,
· owners and managers of farms open to visitors,
· agri-food and processing companies,
· tourism professionals,
· people interested in developing agritourism activities in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
Participation in the program offers an opportunity for learning, networking, and preparation for those who wish to actively participate in the South Aegean Open Farm Days 2026.
Call for Participation
The Region of South Aegean and Open Farm invite people involved in agriculture and tourism in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to take advantage of the program and acquire the tools to create new, high-quality, and authentic agritourism experiences in their local areas.
Join via Zoom
The same link applies to both dates.
Meeting ID: 816 5218 1524
Passcode: 440439
Detailed program and more information:
South Aegean Open Farm Days 2026 – Train the Farmer
The South Aegean Open Farm Days 2026 will take place from October 19 to 25, opening farms, production and processing facilities in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
Through guided tours, tastings, workshops, presentations, and hands-on experiences, visitors will get to know firsthand the people, products, and stories behind local production.
“Train the Farmer” is the educational step that precedes the initiative: it equips producers with knowledge, new ideas, and practical tools so that production can become an experience and that experience can become a new path toward outreach and development.
The Region of South Aegean invites interested parties to participate in the program and become an active part of the South Aegean Open Farm Days 2026.
Information – Expression of Interest
CYCLADES: https://openfarm.gr/south-aegean-cyclades-open-farm-days-2026/
DODECANESE: https://openfarm.gr/south-aegean-dodecanese-open-farm-days-2026/