About two weeks ago our schools agriculture program, which is about 15 students, went to live on a farm for a few days. This farm was unique because it is known for its “agriturismo,” or agritourism aspects. In Italy, agritourism is most commonly in the form of farm stays, where 
tourists can rent a room or apartment on the property and learn about the farm, do various outdoor activities in the countryside, and sometimes even participate in the farm chores. All throughout Italy agritourism is a rapidly growing idea, and a lot of farmers are jumping on the bandwagon. It’s a way to bring in extra income, but more importantly, it’s a way to connect to consumers and educate them on where their food is coming from.
Fausto Faggioli is the genius behind this particular operation, and boy is he good as his job. He is not only a farmer, but he’s a father, husband, businessman, educator, marketer, spokesperson for the industry, and so much more. Unfortunately, he didn’t speak a word of English, so we had to have a translator for the week, but it ended up working out just fine and forced us to practice our Italian a lot more than we usually do.
Fausto was originally working in a completely different field and was high up, with a well-paid job for a multinational company. When we asked him what made him decide to leave and start the farm, he told us that one day his grandfather, who he respected more than almost anyone else in his life, came to visit him at work. Fausto was proud of his job and that he could support his family and naturally expected his grandfather to feel the same, but that was not the case. His grandfather asked him if this was what he wanted out of life, and if he was truly happy in his career. He thought he could do more, and left him with an inspirational quote: “If you want something you’ve never had, then you have to do something you’ve never done.”
Shortly after, Fausto quit his job, and moved back to the countryside of Emilia-Romagna where he started Fattorie Faggioli with his wife and children. The area was hurting economically, but Fausto being a businessman, had an idea. He went to meet every single farmer within an hour distance of his farm and tried to network. If all of these farmers worked together, shared equipment, and promoted one another’s products instead of competing, they might make it. Not only did they make it, but many of them are thriving. We were actually able to tour one of the wineries that they work closely with, and we each got a free bottle of wine from the owners!
Fausto is incredibly involved in the local community, and constantly calling the television stations and newspapers to keep them informed on what’s going on with the farm. As a matter of fact, while we were staying there a group of Sicilian students came to exchange some recipes from their region with Fausto and a local news station came to cover the day. We got to participate and make our own Sicilian bread, and even taught them about making apple pie, one of our favorite dishes from home. 
Fattorie Faggioli is a self-sufficient, sustainable farm. They get all of their energy for the farm from solar panels and a small windmill. They even have extra to sell! 
They also eat all of their own food, and the food from other farms in their co-operation. Fausto’s wife cooked for us every single day, and I’m pretty sure I gained five pounds throughout the week. Every lunch and dinner had two courses, usually some sort of pasta and then a meat dish, followed by amazing desserts. Oh and let’s not forget about the delicious wines from the neighboring farm, or the soothing cherry-stem tea and barley coffee.
So many of us just go to the grocery store down the road and buy all of our produce, vegetables and meat; the thought about where it actually came from never crosses our mind. Agritourism is a way for all of us to reconnect with our food and natural surroundings. This week was probably my favorite so far this semester. It gave me a chance to slow down and relax, but also to learn so much from a very smart and influential person who is doing everything he can for the sustainable agricultural industry.
My only complaint was this little guy that we found in our bedroom.. I could’ve lived without knowing scorpions reside in Italy.
Location: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
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