After working for 30 years in Istanbul, retiring Şerife Özcan is contributing to her family’s budget by producing vegetables in a greenhouse established with grant support. Retiring in Istanbul after working in the private sector for many years, 54-year-old Özcan returned to her homeland in Giresun 8 years ago to turn her dream of rural living into reality. Settling in Cumhuriyet Mahallesi, located 15 kilometers from the city center with her husband and child, Özcan started growing vegetables in small areas around her house. After a while, Özcan applied to the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to receive producer support. Within the scope of the “Greenhouse Expansion Project” implemented in collaboration with the Eastern Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration, Özcan’s application for support was approved, and a 240 square meter greenhouse was installed in her garden last year. Özcan, who produced various vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, chard, and kale in the greenhouse in the first year, contributed to the family budget with the income she obtained. Reflecting on her 30 years of work in the metropolis, Şerife Özcan told AA that it had worn her out. Pointing out that she always thought and dreamed of farming in rural areas upon her return to her homeland, Özcan said, “When we first returned to the homeland, we were constantly going back and forth to Giresun city center and could not stay in rural areas. My child had bought 15 chicks. When he went to university, we settled completely in the village with the chicks. We started doing farming, everything in rural life. The best thing is to work in the village.” Özcan mentioned that they initially created an area with small covers, and then applied for state support for a modern greenhouse. Emphasizing that they achieved a significant gain after the installation of the greenhouse, Özcan said, “Our production and income increased after the greenhouse was installed. We didn’t even have space to grow vegetable seedlings. Now we can very comfortably grow our seedlings. We can plant the seedlings not only in the greenhouse but also in the outside areas.” Expressing her love for village life, Özcan continued, “I find peace by sitting across from the vegetables and drinking a cup of tea. I love nature, I don’t like living in the city, I get bored. I love working, producing, and earning money. I don’t like sitting idle. Summers pass very intensely, we work a lot. We live naturally.” Mentioning that they can sell all the products they grow, Özcan noted that they earn a good income from the wholesale sale of the vegetables. She thanked the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry officials for their support in greenhouse cultivation and production techniques.