Monte San Vito (AN), Marche
Website: http://www.illagonellavalle.it/
Very versatile farm with production ranging from cereals to closed-cycle horticulture. It recovers and uses wastes for organic fertilizer production (such as those from a nearby coffee roasting plant) and employs active microorganisms in regenerative organic farming.
Read moreSOIL DESCRIPTION
The main issues with the soils on this farm can be summarized as: compaction, reduction of organic matter, and water retention problems.
The company is committed to adopting specific best practices to reduce its impacts on the soil system and ensure long-lived productivity of its soils.
TILLAGE AND SOIL MANAGEMENT
In order to reduce soil compaction, minimum tillage is practiced, consisting in vegetable gardens of two operations per year with a mulcher and tiller to make furrows and raised beds, while in the open field only one operation is carried out.
MODIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIC MATTER
The decrease in organic matter content is counteracted by the use of a product obtained from a closed cycle; in fact, in addition to compost obtained from the organic fraction produced on the farm, organic coffee waste from a local coffee roasting plant (about 30 t per year) is acquired. From the same roasting plant, jute bags that are used as biodegradable mulch material are also reused. In addition to this input of organic matter, mulching by means of straw and green manure is carried out and manure is also used.The farm contributes organic matter to the soil from different matrices about 4 times a year in the vegetable gardens.
IRRIGATION OPTIMIZATION
In order to reduce and optimize irrigation use, drip irrigation is used, and the farm is also committed to maintaining an active and functioning artificial lake that serves as a water reservoir and biodiversity pool.
ELIMINATION OF THE USE OF INORGANIC FERTILIZERS
The farm is totally independent of the use of inorganic fertilizers.
It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.
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