Life on a Tuscan Farm

The fruit trees are not the only beneficiaries of the rich compost that is being generated from the by-products of Spannocchia’s natural waste water system (see preceding blog entry). This past summer, Spannocchia welcomed 30 laying hens to the farm – Farm Manager Riccio calls them “Tosca Rossa” (Tuscan Reds). They have a beautiful coop and full access to Spannocchia’s fruit orchard (Frutteto).

Chickens always seem to be eating. Fortunately, food in the Frutteto is plentiful, especially now with all the compost surrounding each tree. The hens do a wonderful job mixing the compost into the soil while searching for grubs and worms. The chickens are well fed and the fruit trees are getting good nutrients. Most importantly, Spannocchia is enjoying the farm fresh eggs and healthy fruits. A presto!

Many Spannocchia Interns have spent time working on the Laghetto, Spannocchia’s natural waste water system. It is not often characterized as the best job around here, but working on the Laghetto is rewarding and this work is one of the most fundamental ways in which Spannocchia practices sustainability.

Most of the waste water generated at Spannocchia passes through 2 lagoons, where biological waste is filtered through rocks and sand and consumed by plants growing in the fertile environment. Water then trickles into a clay lined pond where it can be pumped out and used to irrigate Spannocchia’s orchard (olive trees and various fruit trees).

Compost is another important by-product of the waste water system. Combining the duckweed that gets skimmed off the surface of the pond with plant matter that gets trimmed from the 2 lagoons (along with other carbon-rich materials), Spannocchia is able to produce some very healthy compost.

Yesterday, Spannocchia harvested several buckets of rich, dark compost and spread it around the base of the trees in the fruit orchard.

For all those who have bled for the Laghetto…you can be proud to know that your effort has not gone to “waste”. A presto!