EP9 - Farming with nature

Episode 9 is out now!

Sheila Darmos didn't set out to become a regenerative farming advocate. She inherited one of Greece's first organic farms—one that had been organic long before certifications even existed. But when she returned to Greece after 20 years in Germany, she saw the deep-rooted challenges facing rural communities: depopulation, lack of support for farmers, and a food system struggling to transition.

"There is really no one to support you in transitioning to regenerative farming practices," Sheila explains.

This realisation led her to co-found The Southern Lights, a non-profit organisation focused on addressing systemic challenges in rural Greece. Through Regenerative Farming Greece, she works directly with farmers, helping them implement better agricultural practices while considering the broader socio-economic landscape.

At the recent 2nd European Carbon Farming Summit held last March on Dublin, Sheila took the stage alongside fellow pioneering farmers to discuss the realities of transition. 

"It was an inspiring space filled with people who truly want to support farmers. But my hope for future conferences is to see more farmers and more diverse stakeholders at the table—we need to address these challenges together."

Her own transition story is a powerful testament to working with, rather than against, nature. When she took over the farm, unexpected trees—mulberries and figs—began growing among the citrus trees. Many advised her to cut them down. 

"But something didn't feel right. Why was nature insisting on growing these species while every farmer told me they shouldn't be there?"

This instinct led her to agroforestry. By embracing the natural growth patterns on her farm rather than fighting them, she found increased biodiversity, improved soil water retention, and greater resilience to heat stress. 

"We quickly saw the benefits—our farm became more balanced, and the insect biodiversity exploded."

Beyond her farm, Sheila is also a co-founding farmer of the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture and an EU Soil Mission Ambassador. Her work continues to bridge knowledge gaps and create support systems for farmers navigating the complex shift to regenerative practices.

This episode of Rooted to Earth is an inspiring dive into what it takes to build resilience—on the land, within communities, and across Europe's agricultural landscape.

You can find more info about The Southern Lights and Regenerative Farming Greece on their Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook profiles.

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