Guardians of the Grove
At Black Horse Initiative, our farmers are everything—they are the heartbeat of our work, the stewards of the land, and the keepers of a timeless tradition. For years, many of them faced uncertainty, lacking access to markets, and some were even considering leaving their homeland or cutting down their cherished olive trees. With BHI, hope returned: we sign contracts of trust, cultivate the blessed olive tree together, and produce what we proudly call miracle oil.
The Hands Behind the Harvest
We believe consumers deserve to know the faces behind their food. That’s why we proudly share the stories of those who make it all possible—the hands that nurture the soil, tend the trees, and carry forward a legacy of devotion and craft.
We do more than harvest; we live the land with them. We share meals, sip coffee among the groves, celebrate the joys, and bear the burdens together. Every tree, every drop of oil, every smile reflects our devotion—to the farmer, the land, and the people who enjoy the fruits of their labor. Blessed to be a blessing, we nurture connection, craft, and legacy with every harvest.
Honoring the Five Farmers Who Started It All
-
![Man standing outdoors in a wooded area with trees and clear blue sky in the background.]()
Hotjan Osmani
In his early thirties, Hotjan Osmani works alongside his father, Maliq, on one of the region’s most exemplary organic olive farms. Passionate about the land, he encourages his friends to embrace agriculture and return to their roots. Every tree is nurtured with care and professionalism, and Hotjan climbs the groves with the same joy he shows climbing ladders to tend installations.
Dedicated to the olive tree, he embodies both tradition and youthful energy, carrying forward the family legacy. His commitment and spirit inspire the next generation of Albanian farmers.
-
![Man in a blue polo shirt standing in front of an olive tree.]()
Bedri Qypi
Bedri has tended olives for over 25 years, nurturing 2,200 trees in the blessed lands of Dumrea. A father and a trained finance and accounting graduate, he blends his love for the land with a careful, thoughtful approach to farming.
Deeply connected to both the people and the land, he is often involved in local politics to support his community. All his olives are grown naturally, from composted soil to harvest. For Bedri, each tree carries its own story and the quiet joy of the grove.
-
![Older man smiling outdoors near trees on a sunny day.]()
Guri Agolli
Guri Agolli is a pioneer of organic farming in Belsh and one of the first in Albania to establish a fully certified organic olive grove. With over 800 trees, he tends each one with care, nurturing both the land and the farmers who work alongside him. He teaches his son to visit the groves, to meditate among the trees, and to cherish the heritage of the land.
Over the years, Guri and his family have built a modern, thriving olive estate, entirely devoted to sustainable and organic practices. His dedication and love for the “Green Gold” olive tree continue to inspire the next generation of Albanian farmers.
-
![Man in a gray polo shirt standing near a leafy tree in an outdoor setting.]()
Sadush Sharku
Sadush has cultivated the Dumrea hills since 1990, starting with fruit trees before dedicating himself to olives. His 1,500 trees flourish across four hectares, producing both fruit and exquisite olive oil, enriched by the potash-rich soil.
An agronomist and father of two, he finds deep satisfaction in working the land, often forgetting everything else as he tends the grove. The olives of Dumrea are, to him, an invaluable treasure.
-
![Man in a blue shirt standing outdoors with greenery in the background.]()
Faslli Hoxha
Faslli inherited his love for the land from his father, who inherited it from his father before him, making him the latest steward of a proud family legacy in Belsh. He tends 500 certified organic trees with passion, striving to preserve their natural, wild essence.
A trained economist, he teaches his son to cherish the soil and the olive trees, passing on both knowledge and reverence. For Faslli, farming is not only work—it is family, tradition, and devotion to nature.
