Excellent products and the protection of biodiversity, food traditions and ancient crafts, love for the land and re-enactment of country work. But also musical entertainment, vintage photographic sets, educational walks, and educational projects that aim to transmit “knowledge” to the new generations. On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, the sports area of Castelfiorentino (FI) will host the 19th edition of ‘Agricola’, the Empolese Valdelsa event dedicated to agriculture and typical products, which has always coincided with the opening of the summer season, offering visitors a series of initiatives open to everyone, adults and children alike.
The programme of the festival, which was illustrated this morning in the red room of the Town Hall (speakers included the Mayor, Francesca Giannì, the Councillor for Agriculture, Federico Nunziata, the Vice-President Fabrizio Ferretti and Marco Bandinelli for the Castelfiorentino Farmers’ Association, and Salvatore Picerno, Headmaster of the Castelfiorentino Comprehensive Institute) will open on Saturday afternoon (from 4 pm) with an exhibition of vintage and new technology agricultural machinery and a procession of vintage tractors. 00) with an exhibition of vintage and new technology agricultural machinery and a procession of vintage tractors, which will start from Piazza Berlinguer, stop in Piazza Gramsci and conclude its route in the festival area (sports area, viale Roosevelt). At the same time, there will be an exhibition of the “boxes” made by the pupils of the Istituto Comprensivo with the “L’Orto in cassetta” project, promoted by the Castelfiorentino Farmers’ Association and always followed with great commitment by Rosanna Spinelli, in collaboration with Locci Agrioltura and Vivenda, through which hundreds of children learn to sow and cultivate garlic, onions, spinach, rocket, tomatoes, courgettes, salad, etc., products that are then consumed in the school canteen. At the end of the evening, inside a marquee, a Certificate of Participation will be presented to all the pupils involved in the project.
On Sunday 4 May (from 9 a.m.), the market of typical local products will open, with the participation of farms in the agri-food and floricultural sector. In evidence – for the food sector alone – over 40 stalls showcasing products of excellence from the Empolese-Valdelsa area, such as the Certaldo onion (Slow Food Presidium), the Empolese artichoke, and many others. In the exhibition area, dedicated to new technology agricultural machinery, about one hundred agricultural vehicles will be on display and the “100 years of steam” will be celebrated with the beautiful steam engine, the symbol of the event. There will also be the “Animal Farm” and at 1 p.m. everyone will have lunch “together with the farmers”, with strictly short supply chain products (for reservations +39 335389468).
In the afternoon (from 4 p.m.) there will be an opportunity to “go for herbs”, a walk to discover wild edible herbs organised by Etica Selvatica; on the way back, an aperitif on the theme of wild herbs with Cinzia La Vivandiera, an expert in natural cooking (info and reservations as for lunch). There will also be Antonio D’Ambrosio with his photography set on minutera (instant development), a natural painting workshop organised by Vanessa Gai, and workshops for adults and children in “Gli antichi mestieri” (ancient crafts) to learn how to make a basket, stuff a chair or a flask, and work with wood. There will also be a performance by the Gruppo Novecento of Montespertoli and a travelling performance by the ‘Bandaccia’, while at 5.30 p.m., not to be missed is the story of a citizen who improvises himself as a farmer: ‘Grano che soddisfazione’ (Wheat that satisfies) is the title of this light-hearted monologue that tells the story of the cultivation of ancient grain (by and with Stefano Floris)
‘Agricola,’ emphasises the mayor, Francesca Giannì, “is a precious showcase for all the food and wine excellence of our area, but it is also an opportunity to present and introduce to the citizens the “Orto in cassetta” educational project, promoted by the Farmers’ Association in collaboration with the Comprehensive Institute, and to offer a broad and diversified programme of initiatives capable of addressing a wide audience, to spend a weekend in the open air. My thanks therefore go to all those who, in various ways, collaborated again this year in the organisation of the festival’.
Agricola’ is promoted by the “Associazione Agricoltori Castelfiorentino – Tradizione e Sviluppo” (Castelfiorentino Farmers’ Association – Tradition and Development) with the patronage and contribution of the Municipality of Castelfiorentino, the patronage of the Region of Tuscany and the Unione dei Comuni Circondario Empolese Valdelsa, in collaboration with the trade associations CIA and Coldiretti, and the organisation of Exponent. For information: tourist office +39 0571.629049; www.comune.castelfiorentino.fi.it.
Exponent: +39 0571.76303; www.exponent.it; info@exponent.it; Fb page ‘Agricola’.
L’Orto in cassetta (by the Castelfiorentino Farmers’ Association Tradizione e Sviluppo)
Promoted by the Castelfiorentino Farmers’ Association (Tradizione e Sviluppo) in collaboration with the Istituto Comprensivo, Vivenda and Locci Agricoltura, “L’Orto in cassetta” now follows a tried and tested formula: from October onwards, garlic and onions are sown, followed by spinach, rocket, radishes, and tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, salad and strawberries are planted. Everything that is harvested, thanks to the collaboration with Vivenda, the children can eat in the canteen.
The project is enriched every year and this year we had as a novelty:
1) the first lesson we planned with the new classes was called ‘teachers for a day’ because the children from last year explained the project to the new pupils, in simple words and in a language closer to children. It was a good experience, definitely to be repeated.
2)We planted acorns in the classroom and now we have small oaks that, when they are older, we can plant either in the schoolyard or in the park. A small gesture that has great value.
3) We will conclude the project at the Goccia d’oro oil mill in Castelfiorentino where the children will be able to harvest the olives, but also see the various stages of processing to obtain the oil, with a final tasting of bread and oil.
The children follow this project with great interest, as it engages them in a practical, outdoor activity that helps them deal with small mistrusts towards tasting vegetables or small fears such as insects or getting their hands dirty. In the school garden, children learn to take care of what is grown, with patience and love. It is only with constant effort that results are achieved, and this is the most valuable lesson we try to pass on to them. Many thanks to those who work with us as operators, Locci Agricoltura who provides us with plants and seeds, and Vivenda.
