Meet the Team

Meet the faces behind our journey to cultivate sustainable and regenerative systems. Discover their unique backgrounds, passions, and contributions to our mission of a sustainable future.

Permanent members – The Pigadians

Meet Jules

Jules is the founder and dreamer of Dio Pigadia. Coming from a background in academia, studying sociology and political philosophy, he came from the library not the land. Sitting at a desk with a computer he felt the need for the outdoors and left the office for the sea, teaching sailing lessons and repairing boats in France. Working in shipyards he learnt essential manual skills that would prove valuable in his future at the farm. He eventually set sail solo across the world exploring different places and new cultures. Feeling a responsibility and duty to the earth and guided by a desire to grow his roots, he dreamt up Dio Pigadia. The project focuses on an alternate way of living, and co-creating a better future together. The volunteers started to come by themselves, guided by a similar philosophy in the face of the ecological crisis. Dio Pigadia is a community-based ever-growing project. Education, ecology and living together are the key pillars we experience and share. If you can’t find Jules, he’ll be rummaging in the tip for up-cycled materials or conversing with the donkey — Vouno.

Role: Manager, Social media, Volunteer coordination

Stay: October 2018 — Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Dreaming about the future of the farm

Why did you come here? A mix of destiny, luck and love.

Favourite quote: “The tragic reality is that very few sustainable systems are designed by those who hold power, and the reason for this is obvious and simple: to let people arrange their own food, energy and shelter is to lose economic and political power over them. We should cease to look for power structures, hierarchical systems or governments to help us and devise ways to help ourselves.”- Bill Mollison

Meet Argyro

Originally from Crete, Greece, Argyro studied theory and history of art in Athens. After living in the city for a few years, she started volunteering in different eco projects around Europe before deciding to come to Dio Pigadia. Being a vinyasa and hatha yoga teacher, Argyro offers yoga workshops for the volunteers on the farm twice a week. Furthermore, she takes care of the gardens and the rental cottages. She loves photography and sailing. You will most likely find her with the farm dogs; Skoni and Skordo or cooking and baking outstanding food.

Role: Garden maintenance, taking care of cottages, bread making

Stay: February 2024 — Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Teaching yoga and taking care of the dogs.

Why did you come here? I wanted to live as part of a community close to nature.

Favourite quote: I don´t like quotes 😉

Meet Vaso

Coming from the urban jungle of Kallithea, Greece, Vaso wanted change her lifestyle to be closer to nature and be apart of communal living. She strongly believes that the fast-paced modern living is not conducive to environmental or physical health. A desire to depart from that lifestyle brought her to Dio Pigadia. With her Master degree in Global Environmental change, Vaso wants to live harmoniously with nature and takes every step towards sustainable living. She loves any kind of movement and practices pole dancing whenever she gets the chance. Her love of animals draws her to the horse and donkey pen, taking them out for a walk every day. If you can’t find Vaso she’ll be chasing after her cheeky dog — Darma.

Role: Administration, Nectar Rentals reservations, welcoming guests and volunteers

Stay: November 2023 — Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Feeding and feedling with my dear compost worms.

Why did you come here? It’s always been my dream to be close to nature and connected to the land living a communal lifestyle.

Favourite quote: “Be the good you want to see in the world.”

Meet Petro

Petros and his daughter Ariadni have come from the alternative islands of Ikaria and Lesvos. Petros has had many lives before, from fisherman to gardener, sailor to horse whisperer. So he naturally cares for animals and plants, but also humans! In practical terms, he’s the go-to person for everything that keeps the farm running smoothly. From managing catering and purchasing materials to organizing volunteer transport, Petros handles it all. And when it comes to the magic of numbers, he’s the one who weaves the spell behind the farm’s accounting.

Role: Farm running and maintenance, Garden Carer, Accounting.

Stay: August 2024 – Present

Favourite activity on the farm: Whispering to the ears of the donkey and horse.

Why did you come here? It was my dream and was meant to be.

Favorite quote:

Decision making

Dio Pigadia is a self-organized and co-creative project! This means that all the decisions are made through assemblies in which all involved persons who will be affected by the decision take part. We have 2 main weekly assemblies the Feedback meeting and the Organizational meeting.

Get to know the amazing individuals and their stories who volunteered throughout Greece.

Read the Story of Didi and Nini being at Yamochori.

Read the Story of James and his stay at the Greek Orthodox Monastery.

Read the Story of Camille being at Kathy´s Island Retreat.

Read the Story of Manos staying at a permaculture farm in Vrisi.

Read the Story of Sarah and Anders being at Candili Natural organic farm.

Read the Story of Clementine being at a COB Eco village.

What others think about us

Alyson Coles ★★★★★ a week ago
I stayed at Dio Pagadia for a month as an active volunteer over the olive harvest. It was such a special learning experience, it really helped me to learn … More about myself and opened my eyes to community living. A huge family made from people of the universe 💞 The animals are super cute too and I especially loved skordo and Vouno the donkey. I'm very sad to be leaving now, and miss the farm and the people so much. We share not only meals, but goals, values and connection. If you want an unforgettable, valuable experience then don't hesitate to give Dio Pagadia a visit!
Monica Vargas ★★★★★ 5 months ago
Fantastic place and lovely community, it is really nice to have had the experience to join it for a bit and be I touch with nature, organic food and beautiful … More people. cannot recommend it enough :)
Laura H ★★★★★ in the last week
Dio Pigada is a very special place. I spent 8 weeks there during the olive harvest season which is special in itself because the farm works differently, … More there is an olive harvest schedule and there were way more volunteers than usually live at the farm. I really enjoyed the harvesting which is not the easiest work but really satisfiying. Every volunteer also harvested only for 3-5 hours/3 times a week. Apart from the harvesting we were able to work at the house extension and help with other tasks around the farm. There were two meals shared every day and everybody could take care of their own breakfast. I really appreciated the weekly feedback meetings where we would share how our week has been and how farm and community life could possibly improve. Every person could share their thoughts and the feedback was treated with much respect. I really loved my time there and already miss it. I loved the community life, forming connections, being confronted with new ideas and perspectives, taking part in great workshops and presentations, singing, dancing, playing games, going on trips, watching the stars and so much more! Thank you for everything! I will definitely come back.
Soizic Brun ★★★★★ 9 months ago
Amazing place where you can explore sustainable practices including composting, mulching, wood work, lacto-fermentation, low-technologies... in an interacting … More community. Jules is very willing to share his knowledge with you and explore shared governance. Don't miss this opportunity to live an off-grid experience.
We learn as we wander ★★★★★ a year ago
My daughter and I only wanted to visit Dio Pigadia for one afternoon but we ended up staying three weeks. It was a truly great experience for us and we … More both enjoyed taking care of the animals, gardens and veggies on the farm and fell in love with this little paradise. We ate daily together with the other volunteers amazing fresh meals with very tasty vegetables from the garden, helped out at a beach clean up event and even went sailing together.
Saying goodbye was a hard one here but we both know for sure we want to come back, so it's only bye for now and thank you for everything Jules.
Lia, Jenny and Tito
DELFINOS DELFINAKOS ★★★★★ a month ago
The Two Wells is a farm with happy and friendly people who welcome you from the beginning and make you feel welcome and comfortable.
They give you the … More space and time to discover your potential and to handle tools that you are using for the first time in your life, doing activities together in nature without rushing and living with all the farm animals around you.
A unique experience for all ages.
For me personally, what I feel is a big family with people from all over the planet.
Yasmeen Ishaq ★★★★★ 5 months ago
What a breath of fresh air! Fantastic community effort and the host, Jules has done amazing work in regenerative permaculture work, super cute friendly … More animals, dogs, cat, pony and even a donkey. The love and care is evident. Tiny little shop with yummy goodies and super cool accommodation for a real feel of a getaway. Off beaten track. I will be back! Well done Dio Pigadia team
Jessie van Hattum ★★★★★ 6 months ago
What a great place! We came across Dio Pegidda online and Jules took all the time to show us around and answer our questions. It’s a community based ecological … More farm that really takes care of the land. We visited more projects in and around Greece and at Dio Peggida they realized a lot in just 6 years. Thanks Jules for the inspiring afternoon and we’re curious to return in a couple of years to see the progress!
Marjal Sykora ★★★★★ a year ago
Dio Pigadia is a very beautiful place between olive trees. The month we was there was the best time of our trip through Greece and south europe. Jules … More is very friendly and he work at this project with all his possibilities and love. Also it was nice to known all the nice people and this way of life. I can tell recommend to go to this place and this people and see how life can work in a good way.
Thanks for this experience Jules
P. S. you should try the comfortable compost toilet ;) it's perfect.
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A Google User ★★★★★ 6 months ago
I spent 3 days as volunteer at Dio Pigadia and it was a memorable experience! It’s amazing how the community runs the farm, educate the newcomers and are … More able to sustain the landscape and all its beauty products in such a nurturing way. The people on the farm are super warm and welcoming, the space is clean, the homemade meals are amazing and everybody is kind in educating about how the farm is operating. Can’t wait to come back!