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Current state of agrotourism sector in Italy

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1.Current state of agrotourism sector in Italy

The agrotourism in Italy is in continuous growth and at the end of 2013 there were 20.500 companies and 16.504 of them offered accommodation with 206.145 beds, 9.914 restaurants, 11.421 recreational, cultural and didactic activities and 9.500 camping areas.

27% of the guests come from other countries. Tuscany is the region that has more agrotourism enterprises (4.125), than there are at Trentino-Alto Adige (3.366) and Lombardia (1.361). According to the latest studies of Agriturist (2012) the annual turnover in agrotourism sector is around €1,17 billion.

Fig1. Agrotourism Companies in each Region (ISTAT 2013)

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Fig.2 Proportion of foreign and Italian tourists in agrotourism sector

2. Examples of agrotourism enterprises

2.1“Sant’Egle di Sorano”

(http://www.santegle.it)

Bio agrotourism farm located in the municipality of Sorano in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany - eco-friendly, zero-impact and preserver of biodiversity.

2.1.1 How is it organized

The farm is located in the municipality of Sorano in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany. It is eco-friendly, zero-impact and preserver of biodiversity. The building is a restored historic mansion from1600. The owners have left intact the charm of a historic house full of legends . There is a maximum of 18 beds in 8 rooms (1 single, 4 double, 3 triple rooms - suites), all with a private bath and private entrance. All guests have access to a porch furnished with sofas, a garden with an old tree under which there are tables, chairs, hammocks. Under the gazebo the customers can enjoy moments of relaxation in the company of their pets, which are always welcome. The " Theatre of straw " is intended for moments of entertainment , projection of films , shows and seminars.

Just 800m from the Sant'Egle (reachable on foot or with the free use of bicycles for the guests) is the Terme di Sorano, where a Day Spa is offered, including entry, umbrella, sun bed, massage at a reduced price. Included in the price of the overnight stay each guest is entitled to a discount 10-20% for entry to all the spas in the area.

2.1.2 The best practices in the farm

It’s the first farm in Italy which embraced and applied the synergistic organic farming. It’s a cultivation method that is based on the principle that, while the earth makes plants grow, plants create fertile soil through their organic residues, their chemical activity, microorganisms, bacteria, fungi and earthworms. The land must be plowed and made as fine as possible. This is done only once in the whole life of the garden. With the crumbled earth are built “pallets”, mounds of earth about 50 cm high, divided by trenches of about 60 cm. farm

The benches are an ingenious solution to not bend the back at ground level during its cultivation and increase the cultivable area, having 3 sides on the same surface on which to sow and plant. Thanks to this way of cultivating the initiative “Disabled farmers” was developed, which provides the opportunity for disabled people to participate actively and effectively in the life of the fields and be leaders in the direct production of vegetables and fruits.

The decision of what and how to plant is synergistic and is signed by expert. In the time of the harvest all the gifts of the earth are cleaned directly in the garden so that the decomposing organic residues are left on the pallet to create nourishment for the new crops, providing self fertility of the soil. No artificial fertilizers and pesticides are used. The products obtained by this practice have a different quality, different flavor and energy and a greater resistance to pathogens.

100% of the energy used in the farm comes from renewable sources. The heating and hot water is provided by solar panels , by a fireplace and using a condensing boiler . The rainwater is used for irrigation of the agricultural part.

2.1.3 The innovative ideas

The products of the Sant’Egle’s land, from cereals to vegetables, fruit trees, olive trees and vines are cultivated respecting the natural cycle, without forcing and changing it, according to the biodynamic calendar (Bio certification of “Suolo e Salute”*). In addition to weekly fresh produce available , are produced fruits and vegetables, raw unfiltered beers , cheese , cookies with stevia, extra virgin olive oil , wine, saffron , spirulina , stevia Reba , essences , 100% natural cosmetics , herbs. locanda de la gola

Farmers are custodians that preserve old traditions by donating every year the seeds of their crops to the Tuscany Region, which in turn gives them to those who want to continue to cultivate ancient and indigenous seeds and do not give space to GMO seeds or genetically modified products.

To enjoy the different quality and different flavor of their fresh produce, the “Locanda della Gola” was born, where there isn’t a la carte menu (only seasonal produce of the day) , everything has local origin and only organic products are used, no frozen products with preservatives , dyes, or heated are offered.

The project “Adopt an organic garden” offers guests and anyone who wants to adopt a piece of land to cultivate personally the products of nature. From planting to harvest the new farmers are followed and led to crops bio, choose what to plant and learn how to care for the plants to have a healthy crop. The farm also offers the service of delivery of home-grown produce to receive them directly at your home, along with other farm products . Purchase orders can be made online by choosing from the detailed catalog of the products made available on their website.

With the initiative "In Bed with Art”, nature and art are being combined, always aiming at the promotion of new, different pieces of art, allowing the exhibition and sale of works of art and objects result of recycling. Each object is a unique piece made of 99% recycled paper materials , natural glue (flour and water), tape, paper and colors such as acrylics , pencils , pastels , watercolors , wax and oil pastels. So you can see objects, colors and communicative artifacts exhibited in rotation by artists from all over the world and scattered inside the farmhouse and garden.

2.1.4 Field of application

Agriculture biology is the predominant sector of Sant’Egle farm followed by direct sales of their fresh and processed products. Particular attention devoted to renewable energy, to those obtained from the recovery of agricultural waste and the management and reuse of water resources. In the restaurant they found the means to make known the taste and characteristics of organic products. The recreational hiking and cycling a way to bring tourists to the environment and healthy living.

2.1.5 Geographical coverage

Sant'Egle is in a strategic position, near the beautiful medieval towns of Pitigliano and Sovana. Surrounded by 5 hot water SPA most beautiful in Tuscany (Saturnia, San Casciano, Chianciano, Bagni Sat Philip, Viterbo). A few kilometers away are the Park of Vulci, the National Park “Uccellina”, the WWF Oasis, Orbetello, the Garden of the Tarocchi, Civita di Bagno regio, the main Etruscan sites, “vie Cave”, the Amiata mountain, the Val d'Orcia.

2.1.6 Financial returns

In spite of the low amount of crop produced from organic farming the owners have succeeded to create an efficient direct sales business and an effective food service and accommodation.

2.1.7 Partners

WWF* (award for “Best Farmhouse for sustainability and conservation of biodiversity”), Campagna Amica*, Suolo e Salute*.

*World Wildlife Fund - a leading organization in wildlife conservation and endangered species

*“Campagna Amica” and “Coldiretti” are organizations that promote local agriculture and organize weekly farmers’ market, where visitors can find fresh produce, wines, olive oil, honey, dairy, sausages, cured meats and more. Most of what is for sale comes from no more than 60 miles (100 km) away

* Suolo e Salute is a control and certification body in the Foodstuff and Environmental sectors. The organization is authorized by the Italian Ministry ofAgricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, as a control and certification body for organic farming (EEC Reg n.20921 91). Suolo e Salute is accredited by SINCERT (UNI CEI EN 45011) for the certification of products originating from organic farming and the certification of traceability in the food cham (UNI 10939) as well as for certification in compliance to the EUREPGAP standard (Fruit and vegetables).

Keywords

Biological Synergy; Biodiversity; Sustainability; Zero Impact; Environment; Energy Saving;

2.2“La Quercia della Memoria”

http://www.querciadellamemoria.it/

2.2.1 How is it organized

The company has an area of 9 hectares and is situated in two municipalities: San Gines (MC), within the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains, and in the town of Gualdo (MC). The whole area is planted with mixed crops, crops, vineyards, orchards and vegetable crops. It is a vital community-oriented self-sufficiency farm where plants, animals, fences, waterways, uncultivated spaces and human component are interconnected with each other to create a dynamic ecosystem.

2.2.2 Best practices

Recognized standards on national and European level are applied for the management of the activities in the farm. In organic production the certificate of quality Guarantee biological AMAB* is adopted and every stage of the production process is certified by the IMC (Mediterranean Institute of Certification)*. The enterprise follows the strategy of the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), as an ecoregion for the diffusion of organic farming, biodiversity conservation and environmental education. It adopts permaculture in the form of self-fertility of the soil, biodiversity, the use of phyto plants, crop rotation, composting, the balance between the wild and the domestic site. On the basis of "European Charter for Sustainable Tourism" the enterprise plans the tourist activity, promoting the practical application of the concept of sustainability for the development of tourism, agritourism and agricultural products.

2.2.3 The innovative ideas

La Quercia della Memoria is a model of multifunctional farm with high environmental sustainability of its proposals to the rural tourism - Italian and foreign. farm

In the soils of the farm are cultivated especially cereal grains and legumes, ancient varieties or endangered, for the recovery and protection of the seed kind of rural and old varieties no longer grown or other genetic material at risk of disappearing (project "Seed Saver”).

After a pilot project for the recovery, testing and cultivation of medicinal herbs and medicines, the company now cultivates medicinal plants that are sold as herbal teas, decoctions, tinctures and aromatic salts.

Since 2005 the first line of homemade pasta with the ancient Senatore Cappelli durum wheat was produced. Today, production has been merged in the "Terre delle Oasi" WWF Italy and includes: durum wheat pasta and gourmet products (spaghetti, fusilli) as well as flour ground with a stone mill for the marketing of barley and hulled pearled barley, breads, cakes and cookies, which are also offered.

La Quercia della Memoria is also a bio-ecological farm offering accommodation and food. With the restoration and conservation of sanitation it is a particular model of bio-ecological building based on the principles of energy efficiency, resource conservation and use of bio-materials. The organic canteen, housed in the old stables, offers seasonal cuisine. interno-tavoli

The last section of the restructuring led to the creation of “the agrinido of Nature”, a bio-ecological nursery (for children 1-3 years), included in the regional network of “Agrinido quality” which offers to a maximum of 10 children a unique experience of growing in rural farm surrounded by nature and the National Park of Monti Sibillini.

The area “Asineria” offers special tours with donkeys that carry the baggage of the guests and accompany them in slow walks amidst extraordinary landscapes, along the road or the village streets, past the old stables, among the ancient gardens, in the forest or the fields and the remarkable countryside of this region. In addition, other activities with these nice animals are available as well for educational and entertainment purposes. Special animators are engaged in recreational activities which aim at improving the quality of life of certain categories of people with disabilities and exploring the animal world. These activities are carried out with students as well throughout the whole year (Education assisted with animals – EAA). магарета

In addition to the slow paths “Ecomuseum paths” are programmed as well, these are walkways that invite the guests to look with different eyes, more attentive, to the wildlife , the traces of biodiversity, the presence of man , the landscapes of the Sibillini. They are, therefore, a proposal for a slow mobility that recover the pleasure of wandering, of crossing a forest, in a cultivated field or a wild meadow in search of special places. The attentive visitor has the opportunity to change the direction in the experience of landscape, giving space to the construction of new ties with the area and to explore new unexpected landscapes.

2.2.5 Field of application

The owners of La Quercia della Memoria made the diversification of production activities on the farm their core mission taking charge of the three environmental challenges of agriculture identified as priorities by the Health Check of the PAC (Common Agricultural Policy):

conservation and enhancement of biodiversity;
to combat climate change;
sustainable management of water resources.

From the renovation of the old farmhouse they have obtained 4 units (400 square feet of multi-functional spaces for accommodation in farms 3 and 2 workshops) in a mountain village for setting up agritourism, having as cornerstones energy saving, the use of renewable thermal energy, water reuse, setting up a system of constructed wetlands and recycling of snow water and rainwater.

2.2.6 Geographical distribution

The whole area is incorporated into the landscape of “Pian di Pieca” in the Marche Region, defined by the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains as an area characterized by specific relations systems, ecological, cultural, perceptual and functional.

2.2.7 Financial returns

The multi-functionality has enabled the diversification of income of the company today with the increase in revenue and increased economic viability due to seasonal adjustment of the activities that allowed the continuity of income during the year and the partial compensation of the loss of income from farm and traditional agricultural activities.

2.2.8 Partners

It is part of the network "Panda Farm" promoted by the WWF Italy and organizations / associations: Federparchi, Agriturist, Turismo Verde and TERRANOSTRA.

It has collaborated with the University of Camerino, National Park Authority of Monti Sibillini and the Rete Rurale Nazionale.

Keywords

Multifunctionality; Environmental sustainability; Alternative energy; Economy; Ecology; Green building;

* garanziabiologicoamab AMAB, Associazione Marchigiana per l’Agricoltura Biologica, was founded in 1987 by organic farmers in Marche region with the aim to promote and spread out the organic production method, and to guarantee to the consumers high quality products, obtained without the use of chemicals and with sustainable agronomic practices. In 1992 AMAB was recognized as National Organic control body for organic productions, in conformity to the Eu Reg 2092/91 by Decree of the Agricultural Ministry. Since January 1997, according to the new decree in conformity with the UNI EN45011, AMAB remained an association of producers, leaving to the control body, IMC the inspection and certification activities.

The logo "Garanzia Biologico AMAB", is given only to operators that commit themselves to implement the norms of the AMAB standard, elaborated on the basis of the EU Reg 2092/91, and according to the IFOAM guidelines. The main restrictive requirements imposed by the"Garanzia Biologico AMAB" are the following: Crop production: the farms have to be 100% organic. Livestock production: all the animals have to spend part of their life outside and the animals have to be totally organic. Processing: all the agricultural ingredients have to be organic.

http://www.amabmarche.it/

*The Mediterranean Institute of Certification (IMC) is a private company that took possession of public authorities and international accreditation for the conduct of certification activities. IMC was founded in 1995 in Senigallia (AN), in the Marches region, where today there are its central offices. Over the years, pursuing a development strategy and partner concentrated in the Mediterranean region, the IMC certification services have expanded not only to all regions of Italy, but also to various countries in the area.
Nowadays, IMC provides certification services for specialized companies working in agriculture, agribusiness, food, hospitality and tourism. IMC services offer a guarantee of competence and performance suitable to local needs thanks to the efficient spread of offices and personnel specialized language.

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