To strengthen the communication among groups and individuals in the "ecological living" movement.
To develop healthy models of organic production that constitutes a lasting and environmentally friendly livelihood, especially for rural populations.
To offer city dwellers the experience of life on an organic farm and thereby awaken and/or strengthen their sense of responsibility with regard to ecological living so that they may incorporate it into their daily lives.
To create a venue for the first-hand and hands-on exchange of ecological methods, knowledge, experience and ideas among consumers, farmers and other interested individuals.
To contribute to the healthy continuity of soil, air and water quality, of biological diversity, climate and other natural cycles by supporting environmentally friendly production and consumption models.
The Stakeholders in Ekolojik TaTuTa:
The host farms...
are those farms, in the context of the Bugday Association's Ekolojik TaTuTa system,
that volunteer to accept visitors,
whose detailed information is posted in the Ekolojik TaTuTa guide and is thus available to potential visitors,
that take on and fulfill their responsibilities according to the TaTuTa system.
on the one hand work to build their own capacities in organic production and thereby earn their livelihood, and on the other hand wish to spread the consciousness and application of organic production in their communities.
include families who are not in a certification program but who, like those who are in such a program, live and work with ecological consciousness.
may produce for the domestic or regional market or for export.
are examples that keep ecologically conscious local knowledge alive, preserve its traditional ways of life and whose values will be able to be passed on to future generations (the home, visitors' accommodation, kitchen, etc normally reflect these qualities.).
are comprised of individuals who receive visitors into their homes as guests, without regard for race, creed, language or gender, and who view the whole of life and humanity with hope and goodwill.
facilitate open communication with visitors who come either as tourist or farm volunteer with regard to requests and about set activities/work.
upon membership to the Bugday Association, one family/farm representative participates in the activities and governance of the Association.
by means of their designated representative, are included in the TaTuTa system by making a contract with the Bugday Association; also, if an amendment must be made to the collected farm information, the representative communicates this alteration to the TaTuTa staff in as short time as possible.
The Bugday Association for Supporting Ecological Living...
is the institution that sowed the seeds of the Ekolojik TaTuTa project and which has volunteered to take on the responsibilities of its coordination and observation in the course of its activity.
fulfills its responsibility to all of the participants and supporters and realizes its duty with transparency and by continuously evaluating and renewing itself.
while observing the rights of Bugday, the host farms and visitors throughout the process, uses all available possibilities in order to give life to healthy self-perpetuating models to the benefit of Turkey and the Earth.
Farm Visitors...
are those people who wish to visit the farms listed in Bugday's Ekolojik TaTuTa Guide and who thus realize their visit under the conditions described in the guide.
are either "farm volunteers" who collaborate on the farm with their labor, knowledge, and/or experience for the duration of their stay or "tourists" who give monetary support directly (without intermediary) to the farm to compensate the host farm regarding accommodation and rendered services.
are individuals who make an effort to raise their own awareness and that of those around them with regard to ecological living cycles and who take responsibility therein.
participate in the activities and governance of the Bugday Association upon official membership to the Association.
are individuals who view the rural population that they visit with hope and goodwill and without regard to race, creed, language, gender, region or tradition.
are individuals who carry a sense of responsibility and respect for natural cycles and the livelihoods and traditions of the people and cultural heritage of the regions they visit and who wish to support these as much as possible.
while realizing the necessary communication with the host in the course of their stay about the days' activities/tasks, respect the time and conditions of those who live on the farm.
fulfill their responsibilities to the project manager, the Bugday Association, before and during their visit.
are individually responsible for their own insurance in the case of health problems or accidents which occur during or as a result of the farm visit. The Bugday Association can not hold the farm or any other project stakeholder responsible for these matters. (Minors may participate in TaTuTa as visitors only under the guidance and supervision of their parent or guardian)
Steps to be taken in order to be an Ekolojik TaTuTa host farm:
Interested farmer families contact the TaTuTa staff via telephone, fax, post, email or by visiting the Bugday Association office to get detailed information about the project.
With this information and upon deciding that they would indeed like to be a TaTuTa host farm, they begin the application for inclusion process with an invitation to the TaTuTa staff to their farm for a preliminary visit.
Upon visiting the farm on the designated date and if the farm is appropriate, the TaTuTa staff shall fill out the Farm Information Form and draft a farm preparation calendar (for training, doing away with shortcomings, first visitor acceptance date, etc).
According to the calendar the Bugday Association shall give the required training, the family shall prepare their home for receiving TaTuTa visitors and the two parties shall sign a contract recognizing the farm as a TaTuTa host farm.
As per the contract, Bugday shall make visitors' reservations and direct visitors to the farm family but shall not be party to any exchange of goods or services between the farm families and visitors.
The farm family shall be responsible for informing Bugday (in as short time as possible) of visitors they receive independent of TaTuTa and/or any changes to the information previously collected about the farm.
At the end of the 1-year contract period, upon positive evaluation (by both Bugday and the farm family) and with the required changes a new contract period shall begin.
Steps to be taken in order to be an Ekolojik TaTuTa farm visitor:
Interested individuals shall read the Ekolojik TaTuTa guide thoroughly, paying special attention to the Charter and farm information pages. (the current guide is available each year in print and on the TaTuTa website)
After communicating with the Bugday Association (via email, fax, post, telephone or by visiting the Bugday office) regarding questions or to get additional information, the visitor shall decide which farm and on which dates s/he wants to realize his/her visit and whether s/he shall go as a farm volunteer or as a tourist.
The visitor shall contact Bugday to find out whether the farm s/he has chosen is available on the desired dates. If the farm is indeed available s/he may make a reservation; if not, s/he may consult with Bugday to choose an appropriate alternative farm.
If visitors are not yet Bugday Association members or have not paid the current year's membership fee, they shall do what is required by the membership process to gain full official membership for the given year.
By contacting the host farm family regarding arrival and departure details the visitor shall plan and realize his/her trip according to his reservation.
Regarding requests, recommendations and/or impressions, visitors may communicate freely with both the host farm family and the Bugday Association. In this respect visitors may also provide any possible and necessary support.
As for the knowledge, experience and labor support that farm volunteers give or the monetary support that the tourist provides, visitors are directly responsible to the host farm family and shall communicate with the family accordingly.
