One Europe: The Dream of Unity : Perspectives : Getting Together: The People Speak : GREEK VINTNER
- Share via
Christos Makou, 36, took advantage of an EC-supported scheme to subsidize land purchases to expand his vineyards in Attica, near Athens.
“Although my family (members) have been grape growers for generations, and I wanted to devote myself to agriculture, I couldn’t manage to live off the land. Like other small farmers and agricultural workers around here, I combined grape-growing and limited wine-making with other forms of employment . . .
“In 1988, I . . . joined a government program that helped young farmers buy land because I could get EC money to make it productive. Which is exactly what happened . . .
“Four years later, the Community grant has doubled my yield and brought in profits--healthy profits. I’ve paid off my debts, improved my standard of living and dropped the other jobs I did in order to live. And in 1990, I bought another small piece of land. My personal income has tripled . . .
“However, I fear for the future . . . Things have been good since Greece joined the EC, but now they’re revising the Common Agricultural Policy. I just don’t know what lies ahead.”
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
