A.S. PAROS

The island was first mentioned in the local press as a tourist destination in 1945. Since then, it has managed to become one of the leading, internationally recognized destinations. However, it has an even more distinctive identity, with an even longer history. It was a glorious, ancient city-state, known mainly for its lyrical poets, its sculptors, and its productive agriculture and livestock farming. Archilochus mentions the island's barley, livestock and vineyard products as early as the 7th century BC.

The inhabitants of Paros are intrinsically tied to their land and this is due to the long geological age of the island. The gentle topography, with the mountain ranges rising in the centre of the island, has generously provided the population with large and fertile fields for cultivation. The relationship between the producers and the land gradually, over the decades, took the form of a living cell within an evolving society.

It all started in the 1920s, when the first cooperatives appeared in various areas of the island. Subsequently, the ferment that followed led the cooperatives to come together and evolve from simple suppliers of fertiliser and animal feed to producers of wine, cheese and olive oil. Since then, the cooperative has been the main expression of Paros' agricultural identity.

After almost 100 years of operation, the cooperative is now inextricably linked to the social fabric of the island. Aiming at the continuous support of the island's farmers, the cooperative turns the page and adapts to the demands of the modern market. Historical continuity requires investment in the future. This means modernizing equipment in a way that upgrades the quality of production in the winery, the cheese factory and the oil mill. However, the main concern of the Paros Farming Community is the education of its members. Through the training and specialisation of its people, the identity and value of the island's agricultural products will be enhanced. The new project draws inspiration from the past and with a romantic attitude it sets out the next steps to show how unique Paros' products are.