In 2006, Beti Minkin founded the Anatolia Foundation in the USA. The principle goals of the Foundation are to
preserve and support the rich biological diversity of the rural Anatolian region of Turkey with sustainable village projects.
Born and raised in Turkey, Beti Minkin has spent most of her adult life in the USA, but always displayed a
passion for her native land. Since the 1990s, she pioneered holistic sustainability projects in regions where biodiversity is prolific but greatly endangered. Her vision and enthusiasm are truly inspirational.
Her “Tohum” (“Seed” in Turkish) ventures raised local awareness of the
importance of heirloom seeds, traditional foods and natural lifestyles. The Tohum® Natural Foods brand she created still exports organic artisan foods from Anatolian villages to the benefit of community health and economy.
Most recently, under the auspices of the Anatolia Foundation, Beti Minkin initiated an
extensive agro-biodiversity sustainability program in the remote Kars Province of Eastern Turkey. The project links bio-conservation with organic food production and ecologically viable livelihood. It focuses on a full-scale organic certification program with over 200 farmers and the revival of the ancient grain “Kavilca” or emmer (Triticum dicoccum), amongst other important traditional crops such as flaxseed and red wheat.