Educational Farms in Emilia-Romagna Region
About this good practice
Educational farms focus on education for sustainable consumption, knowledge of the rural territory and biological cycles of animals and plants.
Therefore, these farms are mainly engaged in education and training, by integrating agricultural activities with those of education, playing the role of social innovator.
What educational farms do:
-open their doors to classes and groups during all the year with precise educative aims
-offer stable opportunities of contact between farmers and citizens/collectivity/consumers
-propose active education (learning by doing, cooperative learning)
-promote knowlegde about regional and local products, certified quality, food origin and food path "from farm to table"
-promote food culture, rural tradition and taste recovery, environment and rural territory knowledge, sustainable behaviour
Resources needed
-Rural Development 2014-2020 and 2023-2027: about 7 mln euro for the call "Creation and development of farmhouses and educational farms" and additional funds
-Intervention SRD03 provides resources for educational and didactic activities for € 2 mln, aimed at supporting the diversification of farms
Evidence of success
In Emilia-Romagna there are 284 educational farms active in the region (August 2023), where the contribution of female agricultural entrepreneurship is prevalent. These farms have become reference points both for the activity of food education in schools, and for adults, groups and families who feel the need to increase their awareness on agricultural issues, of food and the conscious use of resources; in addition, they are also at the center of the "Agenda 2030", "Green Deal", "Farm to Fork".
Potential for learning or transfer
The experience of educational farms in Emilia-Romagna offers various lessons for other territories, such as:
1. Integration with Education: educational farms have become reference points for food and environmental education, by showing how agriculture can be an effective teaching tool.
2. Sustainability and Rural Tourism: these structures promote sustainable and slow tourism, by offering authentic experiences that enhance rurality and connection with nature.
3. Agricultural multifunctionality: educational farms demonstrate how agriculture can be multi-functional, integrating agricultural production with educational and tourism activities.
4. Regional support: the Emilia-Romagna Region has created a regulatory and financial framework that supports the development of these structures, by offering a model replicable for other regions.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
