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A Bulgarian-American couple’s mission to cultivate clean food and community on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. In the soft, sunlit plains outside Guardamar del Segura, a new kind of seed is being planted – not one destined for profit, but for purpose, and driven by passion. Nadya Gabriel and her husband Gary, a Bulgarian-American couple who divide their time between four countries, have set their sights on transforming a 3,200-square-metre plot of rustic land into a thriving, self-sufficient garden. Their aim is as personal as it is practical: to grow their own food, reconnect with the soil, and share the harvest with like-minded locals. From Crisis Investment to Coastal Life Their story begins, unexpectedly, during the Eurozone crisis of 2009. Nadya, a Bulgarian expert in strategic planning and local economic development, was then based in Brussels. Her husband Gary, an American real estate agent nearing retirement, was watching the housing market collapse unfold across Europe. “We never planned to live in Spain,” Nadya said. “Our Cabo Roig apartment was just an investment. But life has a funny way of surprising you.” At the time, Spain’s property market was in freefall – prices had plunged, and investors were fleeing. The couple bought a small holiday flat in Orihuela Costa, intending only to visit for a few weeks each year. But over time, the country’s calm rhythm, sunshine and sense of community drew them in. When her husband retired in 2016, they decided to spend more time in Europe, splitting their year between their homes in France, Bulgaria, the United States and now, Spain. “We wanted to enjoy different cultures, cuisines, and ways of life,” she says. “Eventually, we sold the apartment and moved to Guardamar del Segura. We wanted something more authentically Spanish, somewhere quiet and traditional.” The Spark for a Family Project In France, the couple had already built an organic lifestyle, cultivating fruit and vegetables on a five-thousand-square-metre pasture surrounding their country house. “We grow everything there – from tomatoes and apples to figs and grapes,” Nadya explains. “The food chain in France is relatively clean. There’s no GMO corn or feed, so even the meat, eggs and milk are natural. Sadly, that’s not the case in Spain.” It was this contrast that inspired their new project. “Spain is the biggest producer of genetically modified corn in the EU,” she notes. “That affects everything – the feed, the animals, the food we eat. Even tomatoes taste different now; they’re harder, less juicy. The change comes from genetic editing, not traditional breeding.” The couple decided to act. They purchased a small piece of rustic land near Guardamar, intending to cultivate it by hand, using only natural methods. “This is not a business,” Nadya stresses. “It’s a family project, one that keeps us active and lets us eat food we trust.” Ancient Water, Modern Vision The couple’s enthusiasm grew even more when they learned about the region’s historic irrigation network – the thousand-year-old Valencia Irrigation System, first built by the Moors. “It’s world-class,” Nadya says with admiration. “A free, gravity-fed water system that has sustained farming communities for over a millennium.” Their plan is detailed and ambitious. They will divide the land into sections: a fruit garden with around 30–35 trees – oranges, lemons, figs, avocados, olives, and even cherries and peaches – alongside a small vineyard, vegetable plots, and space for chickens and other birds. “We’ll also grow corn and grains to feed the animals ourselves,” Nadya adds. “We want every link in the chain to be clean.” Looking for Growing Partners The project, though small in scale, needs helping hands. The couple spends only part of the year in Spain, and are now seeking local partners to share both the work and the harvest. “We’re looking for enthusiasts – not professionals, just people who love the idea of growing their own food,” Nadya says. “They should live nearby, speak some Spanish, and be curious to learn. The local community is wonderful – hardworking people who keep this traditional agriculture alive.” This shared approach, Nadya believes, is what gives the project its deeper meaning. “It’s not just about tomatoes and apples,” she says. “It’s about community, sustainability, and taste – the taste we remember from childhood.” Those interested in joining the initiative can reach Nadya directly via email at NadyaGary@yahoo.com. A Growing Vision In a world where food often comes wrapped in plastic and grown under fluorescent light, Nadya and Gary’s vision is refreshingly human. The project near Guardamar del Segura is not just a return to the soil, but a quiet act of resistance – a reminder that real food, grown with care and shared among friends, can still thrive under the Spanish sun.
