Roi (pronounced "Rhoe" and means "flow" in Greek) Farm is a large piece of farmland near Exopolis in the Chania region of Crete. Originally owned by the late John Charlton whose vision was to create a permaculture farm.
His daughter Jenny hopes to support the continuation of his legacy. Roi is Farm is now leased and managed by Mixalis Flemetakis who shares John's vision to manage the land with a focus on permaculture, sustainable food production, and protecting endemic and native medicinal and aromatic plants including Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa), Cretan marjoram (Origanum microphyllum), dittany (Origanum dictamnus), ironwort (Sideritis syriaca subsp. syriaca), and Greek thyme (Coridothymus capitatus).
Roi's first educational event with Airmid Institute
This special event which took place in October 2025 brought together experienced lecturers and special guests providing a unique opportunity to engage with Crete's rich botanical resources through lectures and hands-on activities. Led by experts in permaculture, clinical aromatherapy, and sustainability, Kurt Michael Arruda, Silvia Jimenez, Anna Papazoglou, Dr. Jacqui Stringer, and Dr. Kelly Ablard, highlighted permaculture and sustainable harvesting, Cretan essential oils and hydrolats, practical applications of Greek medicinal and aromatic plants in clinical and home care, the role of chemotypes in our environment and practice and hosted a special roundtable on the olive tree. Special guests included Cretan distiller and educator Ildiko Berecz, medicinal and aromatic plant specialist Manolis Petakakis and botanist and local herbalist Paola Pardini.
This unforgettable event offered a wealth of learning opportunities and fostered a deep connection with Crete's natural and cultural heritage, ensuring participants left with both knowledge and memorable experiences.
Click here for more information on this fabulous event.
We hope this was the first of many collaborations with Airmid and other like minded people organisations, so watch this space for details of more events in the future.
Meet our 2025 event sponsors
Aromatics International
Aromatics International were our generous 'Roi Farm' sponsors for the Airmid event.
Thank you Aromatics International!
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)
NAHA were our generous 'Roots and Rest' sponsors for the event.
Thank you NAHA!
What makes us different
The farm's design integrates holistic permaculture principles, fostering biodiversity and resilience. Swales and rainwater harvesting systems manage water efficiently, essential in the Mediterranean climate, while ponds and hügelkultur beds improve soil health and support sustainable agriculture. Companion planting enriches the soil and deters pests by intercropping olive trees with legumes, aromatic herbs, and other beneficial species. Closed-loop systems ensure that waste, such as duck manure and compost, is cycled back into the soil, enhancing fertility and productivity while minimizing environmental impact. This thoughtful integration of elements creates a harmonious, self-sustaining ecosystem.
What do we offer
We collaborated with Aromatherapy Organisation Airmid International to host our first event in October 2025.
We hope to work with more like minded organisations and individuals in the future and are making some improvements to facilities to support this aim.
Please contact us via our Facebook page to discuss opportunities at Roi:
- hosting workshops/events around permaculture, sustainability, aromatherapy, recognising endemic species or similar projects
- leasing small areas of land on Roi for sustainable projects
- offering your help as a volunteer working on the land
How it all began
John Charlton
Founder of Roi Farm
19th May 1958 – 20th March 2023
John was an engineer by trade and had a diverse career working on a wide variety of projects and travelling the world throughout his career.
He visited Crete for the first time over 20 years ago and fell in love with the area, grasping wholeheartedly an opportunity to purchase a piece of farmland, which was eventually to become Roi Farm. Over the years there were many plans for the land which never quite came to fruition, and it was his final idea of using the land for permaculture development and teaching which inspired him to study permaculture and make something happen!
Sadly, the pandemic and then his illness meant these plans, although they had begun to be realized, were cut short. His daughter Jenny hopes that through Mixalis Flemetakis who leases and manages the land, and Airmid other liked minded organisations, a version of his vision can be continued, working to protect endemic medicinal and aromatic plants in Crete and sharing this vision through projects and teachings around permaculture involving the development of Roi Farm in this way.
