A new style of ecotourism
At La Fattoria dell’Autosufficienza the experience of the surrounding nature goes along with the ecological building of the agritourism, for a 360° green holiday
The term ecotourism is thought to be coined by Mexican architect Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, author of several books on this topic. In 1988 he gave the following definition of ecotourism: «Ecotourism is that tourism that involves traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specific object of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects (both past and present) found in these areas».
CLIMBING
Most of the Northern part of the Apennines is made of a marl-sandstone formation, which is characterized by visible layers of rocks where the vegetation is lacking.
While sandstone can form very resistant slabs, marl is very friable and this makes it unsuitable for climbing activities.
However, thanks to ancient geological movements (around 20 million years ago), some limestone rocks have arrived to this region too. Now they are all lined-up: Mount Fumaiolo, Balze di Verghereto, San Marino, Sasso Simone and Simoncello, San Leo, Perticara, Scorticata, etc.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Did you reach the Farm by Mountain Bike? Well, congratulations!!
If, instead, you arrived by another mean of transport, but your MB is with you, congratulations anyway because this means that for sure you have good intentions!
In both cases you only have to enjoy your Welcome Drink and soon discover thousands of trails you can run with your MB!
CATCHING THE STARS!
One thing I like to do most when I am staying at the Farm is…catching the stars!!
No, I’m not gone crazy, but in the city where I live I can never do that because there is too much lighting and even the air we breath is “polluted” by stress feelings.
At the Farm in the evening, after my daily works are finished and if it’s not too cold, I go outside, find a place on the garden and lie to see the sky. There’s no need of sunglasses or sun creams, there’s no sound of waves, but instead I can listen to a concert of frogs, birds, cicadas, wind rustling through trees and I let you imagine how many other sounds come from the woods.
WILD VEGETATION of the Farm
FERNS AND PTERIDOPHYTES
- Horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum, Equisetum arvense)
- Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
Interview to Francesco Rosso by Sepp Holzer
Sepp Holzer has become famous as the “rebel farmer”. He is a pioneer of the concept of permaculture and he has demonstrated a total commitment in this method of farming. He has a 40-year experience in alternative farming by trying out a lot of different techniques and for this reason he is now the most famous expert of permaculture in Europe.
Sepp Holzer carries out successful permaculture projects all over the world, both in small and big farms and regardless of the climatic conditions, from the desert to Siberia.
ORGANIC ENTERPRISES nearby the Farm
If you like to discover organic and sustainable enterprises all over Italy, here is a list of places you can visit in the surroundings of the Farm.
BAGNO DI ROMAGNA
The Agritourism activity started after the renovation of rural stone buildings of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany that date back to the XVIII century. Nonetheless, the works preserved the original aspect, style and materials of the buildings.
Here it is possible to taste the typical local dishes. All pasta is handmade with the employ of stone ground organic flours and served with meat, mushrooms and/or truffle. The meats come from the animals bred and slaughtered in the agritourism, which is a certified organic farm.
BARLEY: a true medical food
Barley has a good taste and it is good for our health. Even so, it is not so common, at least not in our country, where its consumption is not comparable to the one of pasta. However, it is worth to introduce it regularly in our daily diet because it is a very healthy food. Barley is one of the most ancient member of the grass family and its origins are in Western Asia. It is thought to be the result of several hybridisation processes of the wild plant known as “Horodeum spontaneum”. Nowadays barley is easy to find all over the world.
RANCHO MARGOT – Costa Rica
In 2014, during our trip to Costa Rica, we visited this amazing Permaculture Farm where we found many inspiring ideas for our own project too. Rancho Margot is surrounded by the rainforest, where Nature itself is spectacular and enchanting.
SWASTI eco cottage
The Swasti “Eco Cottages & Restaurant” is a sustainable eco-lodge located in Ubud, in the island of Bali.
The owners are French and their interest in ecology ranges in different fields:
– Employ of local materials: all furniture and manufactured items in the buildings are made of local materials, especially bamboo employed for the construction of bungalows, beds, wardrobes, desks, shelves, napkin holders, spice holders, straws, etc.