Homegrown In Tuscany: A Food System Study for the Val di Merse, Tuscany

Are rural regions capable of feeding their populations? How can farming gain support from the community? How can people work together to revive cultural traditions through the production and exchange of locally grown food? Around the world farmers, communities, and governments are asking themselves these questions. Spannocchia, an organic farm and medieval estate in Tuscany, has begun to connect these groups, fostering a global dialogue about local, sustainable agriculture. Spannocchia is searching for ways that it can connect to its local community through integration with the regional food system. This food system study explores the possibility of the Val di Merse region generating a local food economy, and how Spannocchia can play a powerful role in this large-scale effort.