PRODUCTION PHILOSOPHY
Quality without Compromise
The love for nature and respect for the environment have been passed down by us from generation to generation. We have been farmers for four generations: each one conveyed to the next what learned by the previous, and by the experiences made directly. These two principles are the natural legacy of that intimate relationship that linked the early ancestors, who used to look at the “Mother Earth’s” self-generation ability with the eye of wonder. Not a land to exploit but to use with respect in order to protect its self-generation ability.
We feel deeply connected to the land where we grow our products, for in it we find the deep reasons of our existence. Quality without compromise and consumer’s health have always been the principles that are the center of every technical choice, from the selection of varieties to the production. This is the reason why we have chosen a Sustainable Agriculture system, called Integrated Farming.
what is integrated farming?
It is a low environmental impact production system, which requires the implementation of techniques that allow the use of natural resources, without compromising their future use. Conventional techniques are only employed in those rare cases when risks are too high. Among the farming techniques we adopt, particularly important is fertilization with compost (manure) coming from cattle farms in our area, as well as refusing any artificial substrates in favor of natural soil. The means we use to protect the crops are also crucial in order to obtain hygienic quality: pests are constantly monitored and action is taken only when absolutely necessary. In this respect, we favor the use of biological means such as:
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Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium that is naturally present in the soil and is used as biological insecticide
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Bumble bees (Bombus italicus), pollinating insects similar to bees for the natural pollination, which allows us not to use hormones
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Seedlings grafted on resistant rootstock, to protect the plants from parasites attacks.
Among the other Integrated Farming techniques that we use there is Solarizazion to contain soil infestation, anti-insect nets which are designed to prevent access to harmful insects, and chrome-attractive traps aimed at capturing those insects that might have gone through the net. Last but not least, the collection of rainwater which is then re-used for crops irrigation.
WHAT IS “QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE"?
Integrated Farming is a matter of choice, which often translates in higher production costs.
We believe this increase to be justified in order to reach the hygienic and sanitary target we aim to and for which we are not willing to compromise.