The Plan

So, here's the deal. This summer, I'm embarking upon an adventure of epic proportion. On July 2nd, I will depart from rainy Seatac on a plane bound for beautiful Northern Italy. There, for a month and a half, I will volunteer on a total of three organic farms through WWOOF ('Willing Workers on Organic Farms'), a non-profit organization that you can, and should, check it out (here) for yourself. One of the biggest challenges I will face will be a) communicating with my hosts in Italian, and b.) figuring out how to work this blog, so bear with me please! :)

In case you are interested, I have included the WWOOF Directory descriptions of the farms that I will be working on:

1. *La Cascina del Finocchio Verde, Borgata Bruni 33, Murazzano, 12060, Cuneo. Tel: 0173743518 Cell: 3397565181 E-mail: finocchioverde@libero.it
'La Cascina del Finocchio Verde' is situated Alta Langa on a hill from which can be seen all the Piedmonte Alps. For over 10 years we have raised sheep and goats which graze freely in the pasture and woodland around us. We make high quality raw milk cheeses in our dairy. We also have bees and make excellent honey, and have a fruit orchard and vegetable garden for our own use. There is also a small agritourism attached to the farm with 6 beds and a restaurant for 16 where we serve our own produce. Accommodation in room with shared bathroom. Help needed with all aspects of daily work. French spoken and some Spanish and English. Contact: Mario Gala.

2. **Note: I am going to one of the two following farms second, but am not one hundred percent sure as to which one yet because I'm waiting for e-mail responses...

A. Antico Maso La Corte degli Elfi - Agriturismo, Località Roncat 8, 32020 Livinallongo del Col di Lana (BL). Tel: 0436-7159 Fax: 0436-750853 E Mail: info@lacortedeglielfi.it www.lacortedeglielfi.it
Situated in the heart of the Dolomites at an altitude of 1500 m. this is an organic agritourism with 8.5 hectares of land. The farm is in a popular tourist area but is secluded and has fantastic views and a spring. The house is a restored old stone and wood house situated next to the newly renovated agritourism. They have 40 goats, 2 pigs, rabbits and farmyard animals. They cultivate vegetables, potatoes, soft fruit and cut a 4 hectare field for forage, the rest of the land is woodland and pasture. There is work all year round with the animals, mucking out, hay making, milking, cheese making, in the vegetable garden, woods, with fencing, carpentry jobs, wood cutting, in the kitchen, with the agritourism (sauna, massage, yoga, shiatsu, conferences etc) and trekking. In the winter there is also the snow to clear! Accommodation in room with shared bathroom or Tipi. This farm requires people with good physical & mental energy who would benefit from this revitalising and formative experience. Longer stays preferred. English spoken, contact: Elena Bernini.

or

B. *Fattoria I Piani, Via Merlino 1025, Savigno 40060, Bologna. Tel: 0516706150 & 3382022807
E-mail: marcof@fattoriaipiani.com www.fattoriaipiani.com
There are 200 milk goats on this farm which are cared for by the shepherd Marco and two helpers and they produce organic cheese. They participate in organic markets in the city and collaborate with other farms to help make genuine organic produce more available. They are happy to accommodate up to 4 WWOOFers at a time in single or double rooms with own bathroom. Length of stays by prior arrangement. Help needed herding the goats, with the cheese making and for other jobs on the farm, including helping out when they have a festa (with musicians). English, French and Spanish spoken. Contact: Marco Feltrin.

aaannnd...
3. Az. Agr. Panciatichi Silvio, via Monte Maggiore N.50, Predappio, 47016, FC. Tel: 0543 922989 Fax: 0543 922989 E-mail: silvio3@inwind.it
Organic farm of 21 hectares situated in the hills in the province of Forlì surrounded by nature and silence, but not far from the sea. We have run, for generations, this farm with Romagnola pigs, chickens, a vineyard with Sangiovese grapes, pasture, forage crops, cereals, olives and a small biodynamic vegetable garden. WWOOFers needed to help with all the activities on the farm from caring for the animals to harvesting fruit and vegetables. Accommodation in room, unable to accommodate children, for whoever would be interested in learning about and taking part in our noble and ancient farming techniques. Meals not vegetarian. Some knowledge of Italian essential although their daughter speaks a little English and Spanish. Contact: Silvio Panciatichi.

Should be pretty awesome, I think. :)