REBECCO FARM
The project is managed by a local network of farms, united under the name of “Rebecco Farmer”. They were set up as part of AttivAree upon initiative of the Comunità montana di Valle Trompia (Valle Trompia Mountain Community ), which “first enabled our farms to meet, then – through an engagement and participation process – fostered the creation of a “network of businesses”, helping us go beyond the individualistic approach typical of this valley – emphasises Matteo – Four of the five businesses involved are mainly growing small fruits. Before, it was almost normal to consider the others as mere competitors. Now, conversely, we are designing “collective products” that bear the signature of all our farms”. One of them is a preserve made from blackberries and lavender flowers produced by the farms members of the network. Both the packaging and the tamper-evident seal bear the Rebecco Farmer brand. “I believe that this form of cooperation is crucial in the eye of consumers, as it helps them perceive the quality of our work” says Turrini.
Four of the five farms involved
Besides Matteo Turrini‘s business, four other farms in the Trompia Valley are part of the Rebecco Farmer business network.
The first is azienda agricola Pesei, a farm based in Marcheno. They grow small fruits – which are processed in a workshop that is also made available to all other network farmers – as well as herbs, producing herbal teas. Pesei is also a holiday farm house offering meals too in the weekends, and organising educational activities for schools, groups, and families.
The second, also based in Marcheno, is Cristian Ambrosi’s azienda agricola di Cristian Ambrosi: he produces apple juice, apple vinegar, preserves, dehydrated apples, and small fruits.
Next is Azienda Agricola biologica Chichimela, an organic farm located at an altitude of 1,000 metres in Sant’Andrea in Bovegno. It grows blueberries, transforming them into preserves and juices, and gathers wild herbs.
Also in Bovegno is the Il Mulino farm azienda agricola Il Mulino, which produces fresh fine cheese from goat’s milk and cured meat products.
The network had the opportunity to participate in the Call for Proposals for the management of Rebecco, an old forge along the Mella river that has been restored using a conservative method. Restoration works were supervised by architect Barbara Scala, who specialises in monument restoration and is a researcher at the University of Brescia. “The Call let us free to decide how to use the existing structure – tells us Matteo – In addition to the Centre for Rural Culture, we conceived a multi-purpose hall and an accommodation facility, which allows us to promote local products and create new ones together”.
