Spannocchia
Join us in the Tuscan countryside of Italy for a week of farming, with a focus on slow food culture and traditional farming methods. This week-long farm experience is part of the Climate Farm School learning program.
About the farm
The property
Spannocchia is a 1,000 acre diversified farm in the Tuscan hills southwest of Siena. The farm is comprised of vineyards, olive orchards, grazing pastures for heritage breed cows and pigs, and small scale vegetable and herb production. Spannocchia preserves an ancient form of life in Tuscany that is based on community, respect for tradition, and a responsible use of resources. The farm serves as an international model for sustainability, and for more than twenty years has hosted interns from around the world to learn about responsible tourism. Participants will stay in a 12th century Tuscan castle and engage in a community of farmers, interns, chefs, butchers, and food processors.
- Chiusdino, Tuscany (Italy)
- Part of Terra.do's Climate Farm School
- spannocchia.org
Farm team
The Spannocchia farm and programs team bring a diverse array of expertise and passions to the course experience. Participants will learn from Niccolo Merighi, Farm Education Director and avid natural winemaker, as well as the vegetable farm manager and others leading the perennial crop operations.
Glimpses from the farm
Hands-on activities
Prepare to get your hands dirty with a wide range of activities offered at the farm.
Farming and forestry
- Vegetable cultivation (e.g. harvesting, setting up irrigation, mulching, weeding, bed preparation for growing season)
- Soil carbon workshop and on-farm soil assessment
- Olive tree pruning and harvesting
- Vineyard pruning, cultivation and grape harvest
- Visit to a large scale organic rice operation (Tenuta San Carlo)
Food and cooking
- Cooking class featuring traditional Italian cuisine with resident chef
- Local biodynamic vineyard tour and wine tasting
- Cinta senese (heritage breed pigs) tour and tasting of cured meats
- Nightly dinners in the castle dining room following wine on the terrace
Pricing and expected commitment
US $3000 – $3600
Hear from Climate Farm School fellows
Clarissa Brockway
"The Climate Farm School program was such a unique experience. It was so exciting to meet so many amazing people and have engaged, challenging conversations with them. The blend of farm work, course work, and a little fun along the way created such a welcoming environment to empower one another and be the change we want to see."
Anne Spaliding
"Climate Farm School was an amazing opportunity to learn in depth about regenerative practices and see how these work in practice during the onsite farm experience. I learned so much and am inspired to keep learning and dedicating my energy towards land transformation to support our climate."
