Livia Chirteș

Allow us to introduce Livia Chirteș – the initiator of a project focused on permaculture-grown vegetables.

Livia lives with her family in Oarda de Sus, and for several years her family has also owned an authentic rural homestead on a hill surrounded by an oak forest – in the village of Valea lui Mihai – a place where nature truly feels at home. The next house is on the other hill!

The property includes approximately 3.2 hectares of land and belongs to the commune of Vințu de Jos. This is where her business idea begins to take shape.

At present, they have established a garden of approximately 1,000 m², which they have cultivated consistently for four years, with minimal intervention: no chemical spraying, no excessive watering, allowing nature to do its work. The results have been promising, especially for root vegetables.

They recently drilled a deep well, which will support the crops during dry periods and will facilitate the initial cleaning of the vegetables.

The concept is clear:

• growing vegetables using a permaculture system
• using forest leaves (approx. 90%) and straw/hay for mulching
• natural manure sourced from a small local farm
• growing all types of root vegetables, classic vegetables, potatoes in straw, and even peanuts

After harvesting, the products will be preserved through:

• natural dehydration (air, wind, shade)
• electric dehydrator
• blanching, boiling, bain-marie
• storage in sterilized glass containers, hermetically sealed.

Livia addresses people who wish to eat as healthily as possible, in harmony with natural growing methods. Her family buys very little from shops and mostly consumes what they produce or purchase from local producers. From their hill, we tasted one of the best types of telemea cheese. I am pleased to know Livia’s family personally; they are very hardworking, generous people who live by what they say.

Livia is at the stage of having a clear, well-structured idea and a genuine desire to build sustainably. She is someone who is always looking to learn something new, and we are pleased to have her with us so that we may inspire one another.

In late summer and autumn, we invite you to discover the dehydrated vegetables and the delights from the oak-covered hill.