Title - Name
Fattoria Barbialla Nuova
Scope / Sector / Industry
Agritourism unit
Country / Region
Italy, Tuscany
Why is it good practice?
Fattoria Barbialla Nuova is a large organic farm and woodland estate in the Tuscany region. It offers accommodation and a range of nature-based experiences, with a focus on connecting with nature, sustainable management and the preservation of tradition.
How is it applied?
Fattoria Barbialla Nuova was founded in 1965 and has been certified organic since 1992 for the way it manages its crops and livestock. Since then, the farm has not used any chemicals and has always respected the welfare of both the animals and the land. This has led to the production of products of excellent quality.
The farm, which is mainly hilly, comprises around 350 hectares of woodland. This area is covered with oak and poplar woodland, which provides a refuge for deer, wild boar and other animals, as well as native tree species. The white truffle, ‘tartufo bianco’, a specific variety of truffle (Tuber magnatum pico), grows in these forests, and the owners have therefore taken care to monitor and protect this fruit.
Just under half of the property consists of cultivated fields and grazing land. The farm rears a special breed of cow – “the giant cow” – one of the tallest breeds in the world. The herd is grazed on pasture; the calves are weaned at five months and then moved to large outdoor pens, where they are fed hay and grain grown and milled on the farm. They are only given antibiotics if there is a risk of death; otherwise, the owners use exclusively homeopathic natural remedies.
There is also a pond on the farmland near the farm buildings, which serves as a useful water source for the cows and other animals. Wild blackberries, mulberries and other plant species grow around the pond and throughout the property.
Owing to the unique natural landscape described above, the farm produces:
A) Organic oil: Three varieties of olive are grown; they are pruned by hand in late winter using a traditional Tuscan method, and the olives are harvested by hand in late autumn. The trees are fertilised with organic cow manure from the estate; the olives are harvested for processing, and the final product is available for sale.
B) Organic honey: Barbialla Nuova is also home to the bees of a local beekeeper renowned for the quality of his organic products. In addition to the standard beehives, queen-rearing procedures are carried out on the estate. It is important to note that great importance is attached to the preservation of the Ligustica Italiana breed, which is one of the oldest and most important bee breeds in the world.
C) White truffle: This particular truffle is harvested from the farm’s forests. As white truffles grow thanks to a symbiotic relationship with the white poplars in the area, the health of the forests is of great importance to the owners. Maintaining truffle forests is an ongoing process and involves the selective felling of various trees. To this end, the owners, in collaboration with the University of Siena, have implemented innovative projects such as the installation of irrigation systems and the planting of small white poplar forests.
As part of its commitment to providing immersive experiences, the farm offers a range of activities centred on the natural environment and the produce it grows. In particular, it offers:
Truffle hunting: The farm offers truffle hunting for groups of 2 to 8 people on its premises, specifically on two trails of varying difficulty. At the end of the activity, there is a tasting of organic, local produce at the farm, including butter made with the white truffles that have been harvested.
Hiking: The Barbialla Nuova farm has its own network of signposted walking trails stretching over 20 km. A map provides information on the difficulty of each trail and its suitability for children.
Fishing: As there is a lake on the farm, fishing is permitted. However, the fishing rules stipulate that only one species of fish may be caught each day, and that only large fish may be kept to avoid catching small fish and overfishing; furthermore, if a particular species of fish is deemed unpalatable, you are encouraged to throw it back into the lake.
Cycling: The farm is situated in a hilly area with three ridges, making it ideal for cycling. To get hold of a bicycle, we recommend hiring one from a local partner in the area.
Activities for children: The farm is home to many animals (both domestic and wild), giving children the opportunity to interact with them – for example, by feeding fresh grass to the cows and chickens, bringing fruit and vegetables to the pigs, and spending time experiencing daily life on the farm. In addition, every year a small art gallery is set up where young children are invited to bring in a drawing depicting the farm animals.
Help on the farm: The farm encourages visitors to take part in digging, planting and harvesting the farm’s produce so that they can gain a better understanding of farming processes.
To encourage farmers to familiarise themselves with the farm and to learn more about its activities: The business offers three farmhouses for rent, which have been renovated in keeping with local traditions and using local materials.
The farm shop: A small shop selling organic produce is located near the farm reception. As well as products made at Barbialla Nuova (olive oil, honey, truffles, etc.), it also sells a selection of organic produce from local producers.
Cooking lessons and instructions on how to make Italian coffee: The farm offers Italian cookery classes in the guests’ accommodation, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to make the famous Italian espresso just as an Italian would.
As well as caring for the land, which is farmed in accordance with strict organic guidelines, the facility places great emphasis on sustainability and environmentally friendly policies. In this regard, it has adopted various practices and technologies to make the plant more environmentally friendly. In particular, it adheres to the following environmental practices:
- The use of solar panels for heating
- Use of solar thermal panels to heat the house using solar thermal systems; heating via high-efficiency wood-fired stoves (100% of wood is sourced from the farm’s timber stock)
- Highly energy-efficient appliances are purchased
- Use of high-quality LED lamps
- Recycling of waste
- Composting
- Maintenance of the water supply system and wells
- Use of rainwater both for livestock and for watering the vegetable garden and plants on the farm
- Conscientious and responsible management of agricultural resources
- Use of eco-friendly cleaning products
Where is it applied?
The Fattoria Barbialla Nuova agritourism farm is aimed at anyone wishing to escape to the Tuscan countryside and enjoy a sustainable and responsible experience close to nature.
When did it apply?
Fattoria Barbialla Nuova was founded in 1965.
Results
In 2019, the British newspaper *The Guardian* included Fattoria Barbialla Nuova in its list of the top 10 best accommodation options that offer local cookery classes.
Other information
Fattoria Barbialla Nuova official website: https://barbialla.com/