She Made: discovery & recovery of Ukraine
Eco-Farmstead “NUTS’N’GARDEN”
Nina Smyrnova
In the south of the Kyiv region, spanning 25 hectares, lies the farm eco-estate “NUTS’N’GARDEN,” where organic hazelnuts and asparagus are cultivated with great care for the environment. The estate’s founder, Nina Smyrnova, has developed a project that blends ecological awareness with cutting-edge agricultural practices, offering a sustainable approach to modern farming.
The project “She Made: discovery & recovery of Ukraine” was created by Marie Claire Business Ukraine and UN Women Ukraine funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). WPHF mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.
It sounds like
- Tell us how your business started. What assets were involved in bringing your idea to life?
Nina Smyrnova: I worked in the corporate sector, focusing on marketing, customer service, and analytics, but I wanted to ground myself. When I learned about organic greenhouses, it sparked my interest.
For three years, I studied various agricultural crops, horticulture, and vegetable farming, attended conferences and workshops, and visited farms that welcomed guests. This eventually led to the creation of a project where we grow organic hazelnuts and asparagus.
The project is now four years old, but from the initial idea of entering the agricultural sector to achieving today's results, it has been a seven-year journey.
We started by searching for land for the farm. My initial asset was a previous business, the sale of which allowed me to purchase the land and launch this project. In the first phase, I relied on close friends for support, meaning it was self-funded. In the second phase, we brought in partnership funds, and later, we began utilizing grant programs, government support, and cooperative collaborations — with colleagues as well as representatives from other businesses. This has proven to be a very effective approach.
It sounds like
“Our farm spans 25 hectares, with 22 hectares dedicated to hazelnuts and 1 hectare to asparagus. All our products are certified to meet the organic standards of Ukraine and the European Union.” — Nina Smyrnova, founder and Head of the ‘NUTS’N’GARDEN’ farm.
- What was the first crop introduced to your farm?
Nina Smyrnova: We selected hazelnuts as our primary crop. Initially, we had a small plot of about one hectare, where we planned to establish a hazelnut nursery. However, as we delved deeper into the process, we realized that launching it quickly wouldn’t be feasible, and we wanted to make effective use of the land. So, after conducting some research, we decided to introduce asparagus a year after planting all the hazelnuts.
Today, our farm spans 25 hectares, with 22 hectares dedicated to hazelnuts and 1 hectare to asparagus. All our products are certified to meet the organic standards of Ukraine and the European Union.
- How many hazelnut varieties are grown on the plantation? Are there any differences between the trees?
Nina Smyrnova: We grow two main varieties: Roman (European) and Ennis, an American dessert variety. In total, approximately 12,000 trees have been planted on our farm. Currently, we are restoring the orchard because not all saplings survived the first winter, and some were damaged during the Russian invasion and war. However, we are “repairing” the orchard using our own saplings.
Hazelnut trees have both male and female buds on the same tree. To ensure the female buds receive pollen during the precise period when the female flowers are open, there are special pollinator varieties that need to be carefully selected to achieve a good harvest. We focus on our main varieties and their blooming periods. Currently, together with specialists, we are exploring the possibilities of artificial pollination, where pollen is collected from one orchard and transferred to another.
- What about asparagus? How much do you grow and sell? What varieties do you cultivate?
Nina Smyrnova: We cultivate approximately 25,000 plants. Like hazelnuts, asparagus has unique characteristics: there are male and female plants. What we consume are male plants, so we plant only male hybrids. In this state, they cannot reproduce. Producing seedlings is a separate process, which we don’t engage in.
There are generally three types of asparagus: white, purple, and green. Additionally, there are various varieties that differ in thickness and other characteristics. We grow green asparagus, specifically the Dutch hybrid Prius, a medium-early, thin variety.
- After how long can you expect the first harvest after planting?
Nina Smyrnova: We had our first minimal test harvest of hazelnuts last year and a slightly larger one this year. The orchard is expected to reach full production in 2026–2027. Asparagus starts to actively produce in its second or third year, so this year we harvested our first full crop.
While waiting for the hazelnut harvest, our second crop — asparagus — provides us with working capital.
- What are your current harvest volumes, and how many workers are involved in your farm?
We have four people working on a permanent basis at our farm. Some processes are outsourced, including agricultural consulting, agronomy support, accounting, and legal services. Each year, we also hire 3–4 seasonal workers.
“In 2022, our asparagus harvest was approximately 300 kilograms. By 2024, we had harvested and sold 2,7 tons.
In 2023, the hazelnut harvest amounted to approximately 1 ton. In 2024, it increased to slightly over 3 tons, and next year, we expect to harvest 40 tons of nuts.”
It sounds like
- How much do hazelnuts and asparagus cost? How do you sell them, and where can they be purchased?
Nina Smyrnova: Prices vary from year to year depending on market conditions and seasonality. In 2024, asparagus was priced at approximately 450 UAH per kilogram, shelled hazelnuts at 550 UAH per kilogram, and roasted hazelnuts at 600 UAH per kilogram.
We began selling hazelnuts only last year. Our primary customers have been businesses that incorporate hazelnuts into their products. Additionally, we sold hazelnuts through social media, restaurants, small shops, and markets.
As for asparagus, next year we plan to leverage all sales channels: working directly with processing enterprises without intermediaries, as well as collaborating with retail chains and the HoReCa sector (HoReCa stands for Hotel, Restaurant, and Cafe/Catering — Editor’s note).
“For us, an eco-approach means no harm, preservation, and restoration by applying ecological principles to the land, people, and the environment.”
- You are an eco-farm. What values do you incorporate and implement in such an approach?
Nina Smyrnova: Yes, we practice organic farming and incorporate some biodynamic methods. This includes using preparations made from plant and animal materials as well as minerals. All agronomic operations are carefully aligned with lunar and solar cycles.
For us, an eco-approach means no harm, preservation, and restoration by applying ecological principles to the land, people, and the environment. We’ve noticed a positive impact from restoring biodiversity on our fields: hares, foxes, roe deer, and rare stag beetles have returned. We can see how this ecosystem self-regulates and thrives around us. Large flocks of birds, which have begun visiting and nesting nearby, help us naturally control insect populations.
“To meet the needs of the farm, we use solar panels and wind power. By tracking the sun with the adjustable panel throughout the day, we increase electricity production by an average of 30%.”
To meet the needs of the farm, we use solar panels and wind power. Initially, we installed the solar panels at the recommended angle and orientation toward the sun, but this approach turned out to be inefficient because the sun follows different paths in winter and summer. That’s why our talented specialist, engineer Valentyn Smyrnov, who consistently implements new technologies, decided to make one panel adjustable and experimentally place another on pontoons on the surface of an artificial lake. By tracking the sun with the adjustable panel throughout the day, we increase electricity production by an average of 30%.
“Grants help us generate profit a bit earlier, invest these funds, pay more taxes, and involve more people in our work. Essentially, we reinvest this money back into the economy without holding onto it.”
- You received a grant from the “Business Network of Rural Women” public union with support from UN Women Ukraine and WPHF. How has this program supported your project?
Nina Smyrnova: This program was implemented by the Business Network of Rural Women, and it was my second experience collaborating with them. Part of the equipment we currently have was purchased through co-financing with them. This year, we received a grant from UN Women Ukraine and the WPHF fund to purchase a cold storage unit. This equipment has enabled us to fully process asparagus, cool it before selling, and extend its shelf life. We now also use the unit to store hazelnuts.
Beyond the equipment and the grant itself, there’s another equally important aspect — legal, accounting, and advisory support. These have been incredibly helpful tools, and I am deeply grateful for them.
We face a significant lack of working capital, so whenever possible, we seek grants. Our business and farm have great potential, but we understand that the coming year will still be challenging for us.
“Cultivating perennial crops is a long-term business with a lengthy payback period. And yes, it’s risky. I started planning it at the beginning of the pandemic. Then the full-scale invasion began. In other words, we haven’t yet operated under calm conditions.”
- Are there any seasonal specifics to running your business?
Nina Smyrnova: Work on the farm never truly ends, but there are peak workloads during specific seasons.
Asparagus season begins in mid-April and lasts until early June. It’s an incredibly demanding period — starting at five in the morning and lasting until evening. The harvesting process cannot take place during high temperatures, so we finish by ten in the morning and, if necessary, resume in the evening.
This year, we faced a summer with abnormally high temperatures, as well as two instances of late frosts — the second of which had a significant negative impact on many farms. We were also partially affected: one of our plots experienced a complete loss of hazelnuts due to freezing. This was the most critical period for hazelnuts — when the flowers were forming.
While we can’t completely protect ourselves from such events, they don’t occur every year. Technological measures can help mitigate their impact by adapting our care practices.
- Can you share more about the challenges you’ve faced?
Nina Smyrnova: The agricultural sector is always filled with risks, challenges, and difficulties. The war continues, but the trees have already started bearing fruit. I would say it’s a very costly process, with the primary expenses concentrated during the orchard's establishment and the first few years. After that, I’d like to believe the hardest phase will be behind us.
The first year we harvested a very small crop was in April 2022, while Russian occupiers were still retreating from the Kyiv region. Hiring workers wasn’t even an option at the time, so I harvested the asparagus myself with the help of my children. It was incredibly hard work.
- Do you seek local workers? How are your relations with the local community?
Nina Smyrnova: We are very fortunate with our local community! The people here are wonderful, sincere, and open. Of course, we hire workers from our local community, but the main challenge is that we cannot provide year-round employment.
“Therefore, our goal is to build a small processing plant. On one hand, this will address the issue of employment—it’s important for us to provide jobs for members of the local community so they don’t have to travel to distant regions for work and can stay with their families. On the other hand, we want to offer more intellectually engaging work that isn’t overly physically demanding. We aim to mechanize certain processes to reduce the physical burden.”
Asparagus is a crop that requires a significant amount of heavy manual labor. That’s why, in the spring, we plan to purchase a line for washing and trimming asparagus. This will make the process easier, reduce the need for manual labor, and allow us to focus more on monitoring the equipment.
We actively collaborate with the local community and support various initiatives, including children’s fairs. When we participated in the educational grant program "Pochatok” by Diia.Business, we made it to the top ten finalists and donated 10% of the grant funds to the local community for setting up playgrounds, as the number of children from internally displaced families had increased at that time. However, I must note that the women in our local community are very proactive in finding funding, launching projects, and working to improve the community.
- We know that you’ve started another charitable initiative. Could you share the details?
Nina Smyrnova: We send thoughtful gifts and our products to military personnel who have been in stressful conditions without rotation for extended periods. This wasn’t an initiative from our side but a request from them. It turned out that for many service members, trying something new and different was a refreshing experience. Most of them had never eaten asparagus before or knew how to prepare it. We received photos from the trenches showing asparagus and tomatoes beautifully arranged in metal bowls and sprinkled with cheese. Even if just for a couple of hours, we helped them take their minds off the stress. Life is difficult for all of us right now, but thanks to the men and women in the military, we can continue working at all.
We’ve also sent care packages to female volunteers and the wives of military personnel, who equally deserve attention. They support their husbands on the front lines, and someone needs to think about supporting them. That’s why we continue to give, donate, and work together toward our shared victory!
- According to the Ukrainian Nut Association, of which your farm is a member, the area of industrial nut fields is increasing by approximately 10% annually. Have you already considered scaling up? What direction would you like to take next?
Nina Smyrnova: Starting this year, yes, I see both the need and the opportunity for expansion. On our farm, we’ve refined many technologies and approaches. In other words, we now have a clear understanding of how to cultivate, and I’ve started thinking about increasing the area under cultivation. I’m even considering turning this into a separate investment project in collaboration with partners since hazelnut farming is a long-term business with a lengthy payback period. But it is precisely for this reason that it’s very appealing to investors.
We also plan to expand our team, as production capacity is growing, and we’ll need employees on a permanent basis.
- Is competition felt in this business?
Nina Smyrnova: No. For instance, Georgia has 70,000 hectares of hazelnuts, while Ukraine has only 7,000 hectares. We are still far from reaching a point where competition becomes an issue. Consumers and processing enterprises are just starting to explore Ukrainian hazelnuts, and demand is steadily growing — even though the first industrial hazelnut orchards are only beginning to bear fruit. We are still a long way from replacing imports. The demand is increasing due to a growing culture of consumption and a preference for plant-based products.
On the contrary, the community is probably one of the greatest assets I’ve gained in the agricultural sector. These are incredibly talented, forward-thinking, and strategic individuals. We communicate openly and easily, so competition isn’t even a consideration.
“The most important achievement we’ve made is becoming the first organic industrial orchard in Ukraine planted on bear hazel rootstock.”
- What technological achievements have you already implemented on your farm?
Nina Smyrnova: The most important achievement we’ve made is becoming the first organic industrial orchard in Ukraine planted on bear hazel rootstock. Due to decreasing water availability and rainfall, we need to take extra care of our plants. Hazelnut roots typically grow to a depth of about one meter, whereas bear hazel trees have a different type of root system that extends deeper into the ground. This allows them to access water not only from the topsoil but also from deeper layers.
This approach is new for Ukraine, and we are already sharing this innovative experience with other entrepreneurs. I am very proud of it!
It sounds like
- What is the global goal of your business?
Nina Smyrnova: This business was conceived to be efficient, high-quality, and profitable, leveraging our excellent lands. I see our orchard as precisely the kind of business that can deliver strong economic returns. My goal is to exceed our business plan targets by at least two years.
Another goal is to have our hazelnuts and asparagus prominently featured in major retail chains as organic products, making them much more accessible to end consumers. We receive a lot of positive feedback, and we want even more people to enjoy our products.
Producers from not only Ukraine but also Northern Europe have shown interest in collaborating with us. To engage in export activities, we need to ensure consistent batch stability, which requires partnering with other producers in Ukraine — a process we are actively working on. In the future, within a few years, we will be ready to launch in this direction — this is my third goal.
- What advice would you give to women who are contemplating starting their entrepreneurial journey?
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The idea and coordination of the project: the UN Women Ukraine team. The civil society organizations that were involved in selecting entrepreneurship stories: The Rural Women's Business Network.
Media Expedition: General Producer of Marie Claire Business and Project Creative Director: Julia Brosko. Head of Brand Marie Claire Ukraine: Kateryna Fastovets. Expedition Team Administration: Yanina Provotar. Photos on this page: Nadia Berska. Video: Marharyta Omelchuk. Editing: Viktor Khodosov. Texts: Julia Brosko. Retouching: Olena Chykylova. Web: Vitalii Provotar. Expedition Driver: Svitlana Sapon.
The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) is the only global mechanism exclusively dedicated to supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding, security processes, and humanitarian assistance. Governed by a group of representatives from civil society, governments, and the UN, WPHF is a multi-partner trust fund that mobilizes urgently needed funding for local, women-led organizations and works alongside women on the front lines to build sustainable peace.
Since 2016, WPHF has provided funding and strengthened the capacity of more than 1,000 local women’s civil society organizations working on the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda and implementing humanitarian initiatives in 41 crisis-affected countries worldwide.
This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.