Tulips, irises and many other popular garden plants originated here. Wheat, barley, chickpeas, almonds and many other important food crops were first domesticated from the wild in Anatolia’s fertile soil. In these days of accelerating climate change, Anatolia remains a critically important source of genetic diversity. However, though this region harbors some of the most important ecosystems in the world, it is also one of the most endangered.

                                                                        MISSION AND GOALS
Anatolia Foundation projects helped empower village life and economics by building bridges between traditional wisdom and contemporary science; between conservation and marketing; between people and their unique environment.  The founders believed that sustainability can be achieved by an integrated, holistic approach to all aspects of village life, which results in new understandings, skills and alternatives that can be transformed into new opportunities.
 
                                                                   MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY

• Revival of heirloom food crops with organic farming methods.
• Preparation of organic and plant based products. 
• Revival of traditional skills and their transformation into marketable products.
• Data collection of ethnobotanical knowledge.​
• Creation of village NGOs to involve women and youth in decision making for long-term sustainability.

*Anatolia Foundation has discontinued its non-profit status and does not accept donations. This website is for information purpose only.