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    Base de données des projets PDR

    The Baugiano Farm Oasis and the Youth Milkshop

    Summary

    The Baugiano Farm Oasis is a successful example of diversification into tourism and social activities. The Youth Milkshop was established by a group of children who attended the farm thorough a summer holiday programme, learning how to make yoghurt.

    Photo:

    Background

    The Baugiano Farm Oasis is an organic farm and an agritourism centre. It has been active as a social farm since 2005. It produces a wide range of organic products, employs 3 disabled people and organises some 24 different teaching and training activities for children. The Youth Milkshop was established by the children in partnership with the farm which provides technical and infrastructural support. The project is also supported by the local office of the farmers’ organisations "Coldiretti".

    Objective

    One of the main objectives of the Baugiano Oasis is to nurture future generations of sustainable farmers. The Youth MilkShop aims to provide kids with the entrepreneurial skills involved in establishing a business. This includes gaining experience from working on an actual farm and developing real-life enterprise projects that help diversify the farm.

    Main activities

    The Youth Milkshop produces 2,400 yoghurt pots a month for sale in the “White Bar”, managed by the kids, and in local school. Other activities directly related to the Youth Milkshop are: the annual milk day to demonstrate the production and processing of milk; organisation of a milking training course in collaboration with the local office of the farmers’ organisation Coldiretti, that supports the project; management of the 'White Bar'; running the Entrepreneurs week aimed at skills development.

    Results & Benefits

    The Youth Milkshop is managed by 20 children aged between 11 and 16 years and has recently started attending the 2 weekly farmers’ market. The White Bar is becoming the main farm shop, where other farm products such as olive oil, bread, potatoes, honey, chestnut flour, will also be available, offering a new service to tourists and visitors. The children involved have developed a strong sense of ownership of the land, the products they are producing and the business they have developed.

    Lessons learnt

    Practical on farm enterprise development encourages self-esteem, independence, team working, business management etc. Involving local kids on the farm, and developing a product that is recognised locally helps embed the farm and its other client groups within the broader community. The project highlights how RDP funding can be used effectively to support the implementation of new activities in the farm.

    Project location and other information

    Toscana, Quarrata, province of Pistoia

    Region

    Toscana

    RDP Territory

    Toscana

    Total project cost (€)

    72 000

    EAFRD contribution (€)

    18 000

    Private contribution (€)

    52 000

    Project website

    Contact name

    Stefania Corrocher, Luca Benicchi

    Telephone

    +39 392 99822828

    Languages for contact

    Italian

    At a glance

    Country

    Italy

    Final beneficiary type

    Individual farmers

    Budget range

    €20 000 - €99 999

    Start date:

    30/06/2010

    End Date:

    31/12/2011

    Theme / Measure:

    • Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
    • Rural economic diversification
    • 311. Diversification into non-agricultural activities

    Keywords:

    Organic farming, Social inclusion, Dairy sector, Disadvantaged people, Young people

    Last update

    01/07/2013