The role of olive farmers in our region is unmistakable. In Puglia, olive oil is not just made in mills or bottled in pretty bottles. It starts with the people who work among the trees day after day, often on the same land as their parents and grandparents. The farmer is not simply a grower, but protector of the landscape, guardian of tradition and bearer of local identity. Everything we taste in a good oil comes from their work and dedication.
For many farmers in Puglia, the olive field is not a workplace, but home. The seasons determine their rhythm: pruning in winter, inspecting flowering in spring, preparing for harvest in autumn. Each tree has its own character, growth rate and past. Farmers know their land by feel and experience. That deep-rooted bond with their trees makes the difference between standard production and craft.
The knowledge of olive growing is rarely gleaned from books. It passes from parent to child, field to field, often without a word. Youngsters learn where to cut, how to watch the leaf position, when a fruit is 'ready'. This passing on is essential. Without this oral tradition, much knowledge would disappear. And without knowledge, no quality.
A good olive farmer knows to work with nature. Artificial fertilisers or irrigation are rare. Most farmers rely on rainwater and healthy soil. They observe, wait, adapt. In dry summers, they harvest less, but better. In wet years, they work extra hard to get ahead of diseases. That flexibility is what allows the Carantina olive and other local varieties to survive in a changing climate.
In villages like Grottaglie, Ceglie Messapica and San Marzano, olive oil production forms a social nucleus. Families help each other with the harvest. Village squares turn into meeting places for those who have finished picking. Even children take part, learning to count olives or ride along on the tractor. The oil is thus more than a product: it is a social binding agent that strengthens the community.
The modern market values speed and mass, but the farmer works differently. He works slowly, meticulously, in harmony with his land. Fortunately, recognition of this craftsmanship is growing. More and more consumers are consciously choosing olive oil with an origin story. At L'Oro Verde di Puglia we make this story visible. We name names, show faces and explain why a bottle of oil is more than the sum of its ingredients.
A good press, a tight bottle and beautiful label can never compensate for what goes wrong in the field. That is why everything starts with the farmer. His decisions on harvest timing, pruning and care define the basics. Without his care, no oil that impresses. The role of olive farmers in our region is therefore not technical, but essential. They carry the soul of the oil - every drop literally comes from their hands.
In our webshop you will find olive oil made by hand, with attention and with knowledge. If you buy a bottle of L'Oro Verde di Puglia, you are not only supporting sustainable agriculture, but also people who live with the land. Farmers you may never meet, but whose products you can taste every day.
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