The world’s strongest woman Anna Kurkurina sits with friends at a table completely filled with small trays of delicate greens — microgreens. She samples a few leaves, savors them and jokes:
“Of course, a good piece of meat would go well here! But, seriously, friends, this is heaven for vegans and a panacea for your bodies.”
These words were not only a compliment to the hostess – Olena Zhadan, who created her little “green farm” in Mykolaiv. For her they became a symbol of a new life she managed to build after evacuating from occupied Kherson. Each tray with tiny sprouts is, in her words, an “act of rebirth”, a small proof that life grows even through pain.
They didn’t want to leave — they waited until the last moment
Olena was born and raised in Kherson. For her, the city was not just a place to live, but an inexhaustible source of inspiration and warm memories.
“There I gave birth to two children; my husband and I built our life, planted trees and flowers. It’s what warms the soul the most,” the woman recalls.
She earned two higher degrees — in accounting and agronomy. It would seem life should have followed the usual script: work, family, routine. But war and occupation came. The most harrowing test was the moment when Olena’s eldest son was taken to the hospital during the shelling.
“I looked at my child under anesthesia and thought: if a strike hits — I won’t be able to do anything. Then I told my husband: we have to go,” says Olena Zhadan.
Thus the family ended up in Mykolaiv. And although the new life was not simple, it brought hope and the strength to start over.
Micro jungles in the apartment: greens that heal
The idea of growing microgreens came before the war. But with small children, it was unrealistic to carry out then. Only in Mykolaiv could Olena fully devote herself to the endeavor.
Microgreens are small but very valuable shoots of vegetables and greens, the woman says. They contain a concentrated force of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Demand for such products grows every day: people increasingly value naturalness, health benefits and freshness.
“It’s not just growing, it’s caring for people,” says Olena.
She selects the seeds herself, controls every stage of growth, and watches daily to ensure clients receive the freshest and most impeccable produce. Even the smallest tray of peas or radish is like a little celebration to her: the leaves take on a juicy color and the delicate scent of herbs and fresh soil.
However, the entrepreneur’s path was not easy. Many restaurants still don’t understand which dishes can use microgreens, and for the ordinary buyer it’s still a novelty. But among those who care about health, interest is rising rapidly. Word of mouth and social networks help: grateful customers recommend her to friends, and photos and reviews on Facebook and Instagram spread faster than new sprouts grow. Recently, Olena’s microgreens were even ordered by Anna Kurkurina — and that became a true mark of quality.
Technology that combines science and creativity
Growing microgreens is like a small miracle. First the seeds are soaked, then spread onto trays with a moist medium, and comfortable conditions are created — warmth, light, humidity. The sprouts are regularly misted. And in just 7–14 days a carpet of bright green leaves appears before your eyes, fresh and crunchy, like summer on a plate.
But there are challenges here too: you must choose only high-quality seeds, maintain the proper temperature, and monitor cleanliness. Some try to speed up the process using chemical stimulants. This worsens the taste and reduces the benefits. Olena, however, proves that the true value lies in naturalness.
A new home, but roots in Kherson
For Olena, her “green” business is not just work. It’s meditation, a way to restore calm and recharge with energy.
“Caring for the sprouts, misting them with water, watching them grow — it gives a sense of control and joy. Each harvested tray is proof of my labor,” she smiles.
Her children are the main inspiration and strength. They play nearby while their mother tends her “green jungles”. The apartment has a special atmosphere: among pots and trays not only microgreens grow, but a new life story as well.
But despite the new home, Kherson always remains in her heart.
“If I make myself comfortable here — it will be fine. But Kherson is forever in my heart. I dream of returning and helping to revive my native city after the victory,” she shares.
It seems her dream is already sprouting — in the form of small but strong green shoots that remind us: even after the darkest winter, spring always comes.
