Self catering farmstay in Tuscany
How Self catering farmstay in Tuscany makes a difference
Environment
The farm received its organic farming certification in 1992. The policy behind the farm has always been based on respect for the earth and high-quality production, rather than seeking profit without caring for the natural balance of the land.
CO2 production is periodically under control. Our tourism and agriculture activities produce 9.900 CO2 kilograms per year and 250.000 Oxygen kilograms per year protecting our forests as a vital sustainable energy source. The water system at our Self catering farmstay in Tuscany is built to save the most that we can of our land water sources and our heating and hot water system runs from the wood that we have from the forest cleaning. No chemical products or by-products have been used restoring the cottages.
The profits that we have from renting the property are reinvested to make this land well balanced, self sufficient and to maintain a radical organic position on agriculture production, knowledge and use of energy and especially maintaining healthy all the bio-diversity that we luckily have on this territory. All of this effort is not profitable, that's why the rental business is so important.
Community
Our organic farm and ‘agriturismo’ are helping to take both tourism and farming in Tuscany in a direction that safeguards the environment, lifestyle and wellbeing of the region. The farm received its organic farming certification in 1992 but the policy behind the farm has always been based on respect for the earth and high-quality production, rather than seeking profit without caring for the natural balance of the land. Aside from being organically certified, we keep our stocking rate to sustainable levels, we produce nearly all the grain and feed required for the year and the cows are bred on the farm and are finished on the farm also.
Our custodial mentality to the agricultural land extends to the woods where our timber is sustainably harvested on a 30 year rotation.The timber harvested is used to fuel the boilers located in each house for the central heating and hot water. We do not support hunting and limit the hunters on our land as much as possible, subject to Italian law and the natural balance of our wild animals. We are pleased that wolves have been recently seen in the woods indicating healthy biodiversity.
We employ people who live locally or on the farm itself and support the local businesses in the nearby region, particularly in the nearby towns of Corazzano, Montainone and Castelfiorentino. We also encourage our guests to shop locally and organically and our on-farm shop is stocked primarily with products produced within a half an hour drive from the farm, including San Cristoforo pasta, and products from Camporbiano and Officinalia.
Our philosophy, which is the foundation of the ‘agriturismo’, is based on the ‘slow movement’ which encourages people to engage with the culture and surroundings, to spend time, to listen and to appreciate a different way of being. We deliberately do not provide TVs, telephones or internet so that our guests have the space to be ‘in the present’ and engage with the environment around them, and with each other. The map and information booklet provided to guests at check-in gives information about the farm, indigenous flora and fauna, what to do on farm, what to see nearby and how to reach Siena and Florence by public transport. We also invite guests to join us for a communal meal once per week made using vegetables and fruits produced ourselves or from Fattoria di Corazzano, the nearby organic vegetable farm. This gives guests a chance to engage with one another and with us, their hosts.
We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are always investing our time and money into improvements; reducing energy usage through automatic lights and energy efficient bulbs and appliances, encouraging guests to recycle as well as monitor their water and energy use, we have water limiting showers and taps and the water is from the farm itself, our boilers are top of the range for efficiency and we are investing in renewable energy (solar hot water) for the summer months. The cleaning products are certified with the European eco label and we only offer cleaning and bedding change once per week. We are developing an environmental policy in line with the European eco labeling criteria, focussing on hazardous waste disposal, renewable energy sources, no smoking policy and environmental education.
Self catering farmstay in Tuscany
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