Ksepetrisma: Clearing Stones, Honoring Roots!

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At Yiotis Olive Farm, the work doesn’t stop once the trees are planted. In fact, some of the hardest labor begins after the roots have taken hold.

That’s when we start the ksepetrisma—the process of clearing stones from the land. Not to prepare it for planting, but to make it more useful, more walkable, and safer for all the work that comes afterward. In our region of Laconia—and really, throughout Greece—rocks are everywhere. They rise up from the soil like memories refusing to be forgotten.

With gasmades (pickaxes) and long metal rodes, we dig out stones that are buried deep and stubborn. Some are massive. Others are tucked tightly between tree roots or hidden just beneath the surface. It’s not just about strength—it’s about knowing how to lift, where to push, and when to let the land breathe.

And it’s about staying alert.

I learned early to treat every stone with suspicion. In the summer heat, scorpions and snakes like to nest under the cool shadow of a rock. But I never had an accident—not once. What kept me safe was expecting something to be there every time. I never got too comfortable. Caution became my habit, and safety came with it.

This wasn’t just farm work—it was care. Care for the land, for the trees, for the people who would one day walk these rows, collect olives, and share meals drizzled with what we grow.

And one of my greatest dreams?

To walk this land with you. To guide you through the groves and say, “Here’s where we pulled that boulder out,” or “This path used to be nearly impossible to walk.” To show you that behind every bottle of olive oil, there’s more than just tradition—there’s effort, there’s love, and there’s a land we’ve worked with our hands.

Until then, we keep digging, clearing, and dreaming.