CASE STUDY: Siena Introduction

La spesa in campagna CASE STUDY: Siena Introduction

The case study concerns the associated management by a group of farmers, of a direct sale store in the town of Siena. Starting from the national association promoted by the farmer’s association CIA, called “La Spesa in Cam- pagna” (shopping in the countryside) a group of farmers of the province of Siena, established the local association “La Spesa in Campagna Siena” with the specific objective to cooperate for a common selling activity. A first group of 16 farmers created a store in the town of Siena, managed by their Association “La Spesa in campagna”. The success of this cooperation experience encouraged other farmers to participate; actually 43 farmers are involved in the management of the common store. Basic information

Siena (I)

Name La spesa in campagna Siena

Year of establishment 2012

Kind of cooperation Producers group

Number of farmers/ landowners/ entrepreneurs/ enterprises involved 43

Internet links https://www.facebook.com/Bottega.Spesa.Campagna.Siena/ Farm Data

Description

The network includes 43 farmers. Many farmers are involved in certifying processes for quality production and/or have adopted organic farming system. The shop managed by 4 part time employees sells a wide range of products. These include: wine, oil, vegetables, meat, cheese, pasta, bread, flour, legumes, jams, sauces, juices and other farmers’ products.

The special characteristic of the management of the store is the direct selling system: each farmer sells his/her own products, invoices are directly sent to each farmer. This system have a double advantage: for farmers as they obtain an higher add value, selling directly their products; for consumers who have the guarantee of origin and traceability of products.

Cooperation Process Data

In the context of small-scale agriculture, farmers do not have enough capacity to negotiate individually with commercial chain suppliers, and have difficulties in selling their products directly to consumers too. The challenge of this original form of cooperation is to allow direct selling, identifying a list of clients interested buying local products directly from farmers. Concretely the innovation of this system is based on a special accountability software. When the client purchases the products, he receives an invoice from the food producers/farmer. Thanks to this system the consumers have clear information about the products produced on the farm, with a guarantee on their traceability, and each farmer is identifiable on the label of the product. The store is directly managed by the Association “La Spesa in Campagna Siena”. The costs of management (staff employed in the store, rent and consumption costs) are paid by farmers, with on average 24% of the sale price allocated to these costs. . However, the rate is not fixed but is dependent on the monthly turnover. This can vary (22-30%) from month to month. Logistical support is also provided by farmers too. They bring their products directly to the shop. The turnover of shop is increasing overtime. The shop had a turnover of € 480.000,00) in 2017, which was an increase of in excess of , 10% from 2016. The products are sourced locally with the exception of oranges and lemons). These are sourced directly from farmers in other regions of Italy. The shop has established without receiving any private or public external funding . The shop has become very successful and gained a loyal customer base. Since it was established, the number of associated farmers involved in the shop has increased significantly, from 16 to 43 farmers. In the same period the shop had acquired 2,200 clients, while its Facebook page had reached 1,400 followers.

The main knowledge requirements for this type of activity include: - Cooperation system in agriculture - Legal and financial administration - Principles of direct selling and short chain supply

Further to this first successful initiative , the association “La Spesa in Campagna Siena”, has recently promoted the creation of a legal entrepreneurs’ network, with the ambition to realize in another area of the Province of Siena, a new shop for farms’ products. The network participated as lead partner in a RDP program call (2017) for Integrated Chain Projects. The network includes 2O associated members, with 13 members participating in the chain project as beneficiaries. The project foresees an investment of almost €2,000,000. The main benefit for farmers participating in this cooperation experience is the opportunity to use a common sales platform, thereby reducing the steps from the producer to the consumer within the food supply chain and thus, eliminating intermediary costs. The critical point is that the shop, in terms of asset management cannot absorb and sell large quantities of products due to logistical factors and space requirements for storage. The network is one of the first examples of cooperation in direct selling within the region with its main function being to valorize local products and support the development of the short chain economy.

Advantages and disadvantages associated with this initiative include:

Advantages: - Low management costs for farmers - Good quality and Guarantee of products’ traceability, building trust among consumers, and encouraging them to focus on quality instead of quantity in their purchases. - Supporting business growth and sustainability of small farmers.

Disadvantages: - The small scale of management has a high product unit costs, therefore the prices for consumers are a little bit higher than in the ordinary market. - The management is headed by the association, therefore a good level of cohesion is necessary. Advice/Recommendation According to Anna Stopponi, coordinator of the Association La Spesa in Campagna Siena, the main recommendations / advice for establishing a similar initiative include:

“ Short chain is not the solution for marketing problems of farmers, but is a relevant help to promote local products of small farms. In the context of an agricultural sector based on small farms and diversified production, cooperation for sharing marketing approach is one of the main factor to improve their competitiveness. ’’

“ The relationship between farmers and consumers is essential in a agri-food system based on quality, food safety and valorization of territory. ’’

Queries/Questions

• Do you think that a similar experience could be replicated in your locality?

Key Words

Cooperation Key Words Direct sales/short supply chain Marketing/sales Producers group

Farm Key Words Organic/integrated/certified farming Small/familiy farm(s) Traditional products/farming practices Partners

Limerick Institute of Technology: Hof und Leben GmbH Asociace Soukromeho Zemedelstvi (Ireland) (Germany) Ceske Republiky (Czech Republic) www.lit.ie/rdi www.hofundleben.de www.asz.cz

On Projects Advising SL Union de Agricultores y Ganaderos- Biotehniški Center Naklo (Spain) Jovenes Agricultores de Jaén (Spain) (Slovenia) www.onprojects.es www.coagjaen.es www.bc-naklo.si

Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Toscana European Landowners’ Organisation (Italy) (Belgium) www.ciatoscana.eu www.europeanlandowners.org

Social Media Project Website

/CoFarm www.cofarm-erasmus.eu www.facebook.com/CoFarm-1793897127551330

/COFARM_ERASMUS www.twitter.com/COFARM_ERASMUS

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for Co-funded by the any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Erasmus+ Programme CO-FARM: Enhancing COoperation amongst FARMing entrepreneurs of the European Union Project Number: 2016-1-IE01-KA202-016870 CASE STUDY: Agri-restaurant La Ficaia Introduction

The agri-restaurant “La Ficaia”, located in in the north of Tuscany, is a small restaurant managed by the local association of women farmers “Donne in campo”. The farmers of this association created an agri-catering company in 2012 and subsequently, in 2015 they converted an old abandoned house into an agri-restaurant. Both initiatives use ingredients produced on 10 farms. Recently there was a change in the management structure, a movement away from the Association to a new company created by two farmers. The agri-restaurant is open only during the weekend, with dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings and lunch on Sunday. Four farmers are directly involved in this restaurant enterprise. Basic information

Massarosa (Lucca)

Name Agri-restaurant La Ficaia

Year of establishment 2012

Kind of cooperation Other types of cooperation

Number of farmers/ landowners/ entrepreneurs/ enterprises involved

2 farmers in management, 10 farmers selling products to the enterprise

Internet links http://www.agristorantelaficaia.it/ https://www.facebook.com/agristorantelaficaia/?fref=ts Farm Data

Description

The products offered in the restaurant originate from 10 farmers, with eight situated in the locality. The main products include: meat (lamb, pork, beef, chicken and rabbit); sheep cheese; seasonal vegetables; flour from different cereals; oil; and wine. The products suppliers are all small farmers (average 5 Ha) with the majority growing or rearing their produce organically.

Cooperation Process Data

The main learning element which emerged from this type of cooperation, concerns the identification of innovative solutions to combat the continuous fluctuations of global commodity prices and to provide easier access to the marketplace. In the context of unsustainable and subsistence agricultural conditions, as a consequence of having small farms located in mountainous areas, it is really very difficult for the holdings to be financially viable. The idea of agri-restaurant was elaborated from the farmers associated with the woman’s association of Lucca, as a way to solve their difficulties to sell products. This cooperation allowed the farmers to

1. Sell directly the products of this group of small farms 2. Valorize the professional skills of woman in the kitchen activity 3. Obtain added value thus increasing their income

The management of the agri-restaurant is entrusted to two farmers, while the other farmers involved sell and bring their products to the restaurant. The challenge of this original form of cooperation is to valorize the local products through a gastronomic activity, totally based on farmers’ products, creating a target for clients interested in local consumption. The daily challenge of farmers involved is to learn, step by step, a new profession requiring many activities in order to manage: - Products (purchasing, storage), - Clients (reservations, service) - Administrative obligations with respect to establishing a catering establishment had to be respected.

The management of the enterprise is undertaken by two farmers, one produces fresh vegetables and the other being a honey producer. The average annual revenue of the restaurant is approximately 20,000 – 25,000 Euro.

The main skills required for starting up in this form of cooperation relate to developing sufficient knowledge about - Cooperation systems in agriculture, in terms of advantages/critical points pertaining to the different types in existence in Italy. - Rules regulating this form of cooperation: legal framework, administrative management. - Network management: starting from a positive attitude in a professional relationship. The farmer (female) involved in this project developed special skills and competencies in network management, very important for developing an internal harmony in the work environment; and logistical and administrative management especially forging relationships with farmers producing the products / ingredients.

The management of a restaurant also requires specific skills related to: - Culinary and Catering: The competencies in this field are mainly transferred from tradition, but to manage an activity for external clients, requires knowledge in the preparation and presentation of typical dishes - Safety and hygienic treatment of food: indepth training is required to avoid to meet all relevant health and safety regulations in relation to food production and storage

The main benefit for farmers participating in this cooperation experience is to valorize their products, reducing ‘food- miles’ within the supply chain and eliminating intermediary costs.

The critical point is that the restaurant, has not possibility to develop and increase its activity. The local production is not significant, therefore the restaurant cannot buy more quantities of products; the actual management, directly ensured by farmers, means that the the restaurant is only open during the weekend. The network represent a first experience of cooperation in such an agri-restaurant which is very interesting and innovative, but limited is scale.

Advantages and disadvantages associated with this type of activity include:

Advantages: - Low management costs for farmers - Limited risks and participants’ involvement (in terms of capital invested, constraints concerning production to sale to the restaurant) - Good quality and Guarantee of products’ traceability, building trust among consumers, and encouraging them to focus on quality instead of quantity in their purchases - Supporting business growth and sustainability of small farmers

Disadvantages: - The small scale of the operation cannot ensure a high income, but only a supplementary income to the farmers involved in this activity. Advice/Recommendation

According to Monica Palagi, one of the two farmers managing LA FICAIA, the following are key considerations:

“ The Agri-restauration is an interesting perspective for farmers, but the management of this activity is not easy and requires a lot of competencies. ’’

“ The success of our cooperation is due to the strength connection with local agriculture, farmers and territory. ’’

Queries/Questions

• What is your opinion of the valorization of local products through the establishment of a farm restaurant? • Do you think that in your area a restaurant based on local traditional farms’ products can be a profitable activity?

Key Words

Cooperation Key Words Direct sales/short supply chain Marketing/sales Other types of cooperation Services

Farm Key Words Small/familiy farm(s) Tourism and recreation Women Partners

Limerick Institute of Technology: Hof und Leben GmbH Asociace Soukromeho Zemedelstvi (Ireland) (Germany) Ceske Republiky (Czech Republic) www.lit.ie/rdi www.hofundleben.de www.asz.cz

On Projects Advising SL Union de Agricultores y Ganaderos- Biotehniški Center Naklo (Spain) Jovenes Agricultores de Jaén (Spain) (Slovenia) www.onprojects.es www.coagjaen.es www.bc-naklo.si

Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Toscana European Landowners’ Organisation (Italy) (Belgium) www.ciatoscana.eu www.europeanlandowners.org

Social Media Project Website

/CoFarm www.cofarm-erasmus.eu www.facebook.com/CoFarm-1793897127551330

/COFARM_ERASMUS www.twitter.com/COFARM_ERASMUS

RETE QUALITÀ TOSCANA (RQT) was founded in 2012, and currently includes 49 associated companies (farmers and cooperatives), involved in the management of chain of projects which are co-financed by RDP of Tuscany Regional Government. This entrepreneurial network was legally established through a contract, as a form of cooperation recognized by Italian National Legislation aims to improve direct selling system. Basic information

Florence (I)

Name RETE QUALITÀ TOSCANA (RQT)

Year of establishment 2012

Kind of cooperation Association . Other types of cooperation

Number of farmers/ landowners/ entrepreneurs/ enterprises involved 49

Internet links Web site address: www.retequalitatoscana.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retequalitatoscana/ Farm Data

Description

The network includes 46 farmers, 2 cooperatives, Oleificio sociale Grevepesa and OTA – Associated olives producers, and 1 service company, GEAPROMO TOSCANA, promoted by Cia Toscana. The companies involved in the network col- lectively employ 67 individuals . All farmers are involved in certified processes for quality production, with a special emphasis on wine and olive oil production; and a majority of farmers have adopted organic farming systems and are also involved in agro-touristic activities. The cooperatives associated in RQT operate in the olive oil sector, transforming olives of their associated farmers into high quality and certified olive oil. The service company is in charge of administrative and management activities.

Cooperation Process Data

This entrepreneurs network, seeks to develop innovative solutions in order for farmers to reach the global market. without administrative burdens and legal constraints. Many farmers are really interested in signing cooperation agreements, but they are discouraged by the eventual obligations and loss of independence of their companies. The RQT entrepreneurs’ network allows its membership to reach some common objectives within the consortium without carrying out commercial activity, without VAT fees, and thereby significantly reducing the administrative and financial burden. . Each company maintains its individual legal status and participates in the network only to attain common objectives. RQT was established with the objective to participate in regional calls for multi-actor chain projects co-financed by the Rural Development Program. RQT initially managed a project called QUALITOSCA- NA.NET(http://www.retequalitatoscana.it) in the period 2012-2014, realizing investments for €3,640,000 for the promotion of direct selling by farmers; and adopting a certified production system.

In 2015, RQT participated in a second call for chain projects with the project AGR-EAT (http://www.retequalitatoscana.it/home/progetto-agr-eat/.) The total value of this project was €7,700,000. This second project, currently underway, aims to create a network of agro-restaurants based on the products of local farmers. The project is working in collaboration with High School S. Anna of Pisa in order to realize a selection of products for people with low tolerance to gluten.

RQT is an open network. All policies and key decision are discussed and agreed at shareholders meetings, which are convened 3-4 times per year. The daily management is overseen by a management committee composed of three members. The network does not employ its own staff, because the administrative management is very light: no official accountability, no enterprise obligation, only a single financial report approved by the assembly. Therefore the cost of management is very low and sustainable; another company not associated in the network manages the chain project and the cost of this activity is charged to the beneficiaries of the financial support received by Tuscany Regional Government.

The main knowledge requirements related for operating such an initiative include: - Cooperation system in agriculture - Rules regulating this form of cooperation (legal framework, administrative management), - Principles of direct selling and short chain strategy

The main benefit for farmers participating in RQT is the opportunity to cooperate with a low cost in a common economic action aimed at implementing chain projects receiving the financial support from RDP for their own investments. Another advantage for being involved in the entrepreneurs’ network is the marketing activity of RQT i.e the promotion of certified systems for quality production represents as an indirect form of valorization for the members of RQT.

The critical point is that many farmers consider obtaining financial support from the Rural Development Program (RDP) as the only scope of the network. Therefore, many farmers are not interested in investing in RQT as a means to strengthen its activities. This form of cooperation can be a very interesting opportunity to bring a group of small farmers with collective interests in order to share production processes, equipment, tools or services (i.e. advisors, technical consultancy, other). Possible advantages and disadvantages include:

Advantages: - Low management costs and low administrative/contractual burdens. - Limited financial risk. - Possibility to leave the network at any time. - Commercial promotion of its members through the actions aimed to promote certified systems for quality production.

Disadvantages: - The structure (in terms of legal guarantees and administrative staff) is not suitable to manage large business activities. - The composition of the network is unstable. The life of network require an high level of cohesion between participants. Advice/Recommendation

Valentino Vannelli, President of RQT stated:

“ Cooperation can be a great opportunity for farmers, but is necessary a good balance between own interests and common interests. ’’ “ In a cooperation process each participant must be involved in the decision making process. ’’ “ The characteristics of Enterprises network suggest an approach based on the following assumptions:

1. Clear idea of the scope of network. 2. An adequate plan of activities and related costs to achieve the expected objectives. 3. A partnership with a good level of cohesion, awareness and sharing of ideas. 4. A contract indicating with clearness all the clauses defining activities, roles and responsibilities, conditions of internal life of network.’’

Queries/Questions

• What do you think about the possibility of applying this form of cooperation in your locality ?

Key Words

Cooperation Key Words Association Other types of cooperation Services

Farm Key Words Direct sales/short supply chain Organic/integrated/certified farming Small/familiy farm(s) Traditional products/farming practices Partners

Limerick Institute of Technology: Hof und Leben GmbH Asociace Soukromeho Zemedelstvi (Ireland) (Germany) Ceske Republiky (Czech Republic) www.lit.ie/rdi www.hofundleben.de www.asz.cz

On Projects Advising SL Union de Agricultores y Ganaderos- Biotehniški Center Naklo (Spain) Jovenes Agricultores de Jaén (Spain) (Slovenia) www.onprojects.es www.coagjaen.es www.bc-naklo.si

Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Toscana European Landowners’ Organisation (Italy) (Belgium) www.ciatoscana.eu www.europeanlandowners.org

Social Media Project Website

/CoFarm www.cofarm-erasmus.eu www.facebook.com/CoFarm-1793897127551330

/COFARM_ERASMUS www.twitter.com/COFARM_ERASMUS

The case study relates to CIPPATO & CIPPATINO (C&C) which is a co-operation network established in 2016 and it is a “Temporary Scope Association” (TSA) a cooperation network, ). This form of cooperation is recognized -by National Legislation, and it relates to the realization of a specific project.

The TSA aims to realize an innovation project, called CIPPATO & CIPPATINO (C&C) financed by the Rural Development Programme (RDP). The scope of the project is to improve the whole chain for the production of energy from wood, particularly in the improvement of the woodchip chain supply for heating and energy. The topic of the project is to involve the farmers in the whole chain, (from chip production to energy selling) increasing their add value. The TSA includes forest companies and centers for research which are responsible for transfer of innovation. Basic information

Pistoia (I)

Name CIPPATO & CIPPATINO (C&C)

Year of establishment 2016

Kind of cooperation Association , Other types of cooperation

Number of farmers/ landowners/ entrepreneurs/ enterprises involved 6

Internet links www.cippatino.ciatoscana.eu Farm Data

Description

The TSA includes 6 partners. These include: 2 forest companies (Antonio Orlandini and Olivieri Luca), one higher education institution (University of Florence), 2 specialized; research centers (CNR IVALSA and IBIONET) and the farmers association Cia Toscana. Both farms participating in the TSA are family businesses operating in the forestry sector, one in the Province of Pistoia and the other one in the Province of Lucca. Both farms produce firewood, chips and wooden poles.

Cooperation Process Data

The main focus of this cooperation experience, currently in progress, is co-operation between research institutions and farmers. The European policy for rural development identifies, as its first priority, “fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas“ (EU Regulation 1305/2013, Art. 5 Point 1) and promotes many measures giving financial support for innovation processes; and this includes cooperation between farmers and research centers (Measure 16.1 and 16.2). The innovation purpose of cooperation project Cippato & Cippatino C&C, co-financed by Tuscany Regional Government in the framework of a wider initiative (the Integrated Chain Pro- ject), is focused on the production of “micro woodchip” for heating, particularly for pellet stoves.

The objectives of the cooperative are:

1. Promote the wood products for energy production (wood chips and micro-wood chips); 2. Develop a system for traceability of wood products; 3. Realize a prototype for micro-wood chip production; 4. Define the main standard of quality fort he micro-wood chip; 5. Develop marketing actions. The biggest threat facing this project is the progressive abandonment of forest cultivation due to an inability to generate sufficient income and added value from this activity. Therefore, the main challenge is to create an innovative supply chain, thereby valorizing wood as an energy source. This fuel type can be produced directly by farmers, without industrial processes, and thus increasing the income of farmers.

The project managed by the TSA, employs 2 full-time equivalents over a 24 month period. The head partner of the TSA is the forest company Antonio Orlandini, supported by a professional consultant, that provide for coordination and administrative management of the project.

The form of cooperation requires the project team to have a broad knowledge base, with a particular emphasis on:

- Wood energy chain, covering the whole process, from forest cultivation to energy production - Wood-energy chain innovation project management and dissemination Information Communication Technologies (ICT) - Rural Development Program procedural regulations

The processes involved in this innovation project include:

- Production: the partners are developing a prototype of sifter for the screening of micro woodchip, and a more effi- cient drying system; - Storage and selling: the storage is very important for the drying process of wood chips and one of the most important quality parameter of this product. The cooperative aims to develop a special storage platform to prepare the product for selling; - Traceability and quality control: the consumers of this type of product pay attention to the quality and the environmental impact of fuel. Therefore a successful marketing strategy must be developed in order to certify the origin (local supply, environmental impact etc) and characteristics of the woodchip.

The collaboration between farmers and researchers aims to test innovative processes, collect data and develop a management model which can be replicated by other farmers. Finally, the farmers’ association is responsible for dissemination and exploitation/transfer of research / project findings.

Possible advantages and critical points include:

Advantages: - Collaboration between farmers and researchers can stimulate innovation processes. In this study case the common work between farmers and researcher allowed to improve many aspects of woodchip production across the whole chain. - Innovation can be the result of a bottom up process, based on real needs of farmers and territory. - This type of cooperation eases the access to financial support for innovation, otherwise unaffordable to the majority of farmers. Critical points: - Communication between the partners is sometimes complex. - The management of the project, realized in the framework of RDP, is submitted to a very rigid administrative pro- cedure, creating many problems and additional costs.

Advice/Recommendation

According to Lorenzo Vagaggini project manager and coordinator of the project, the following points are very important:

“ The cooperation must start with the scope of solving a concrete problem faced by the farmers or creating new opportunities. ’’

“ The success of this project is due to the common work between farmers and researchers. In our case the work of researcher was based starting from the concrete situation of farmers, developing solutions to improve the production processes. ’’

Queries/Questions

• What) innovation(s) do you consider useful for your farming activity? • Would you consider the potential to engage in research projects either individually or through a farming organisations/network you are involved in? • Are you aware of any research projects or other innovative actions similar to the one described here? Key Words

Cooperation Key Words Association Knowledge exchange Other types of cooperation Services

Farm Key Words Forestry Mountain area Small/familiy farm(s) Partners

Limerick Institute of Technology: Hof und Leben GmbH Asociace Soukromeho Zemedelstvi (Ireland) (Germany) Ceske Republiky (Czech Republic) www.lit.ie/rdi www.hofundleben.de www.asz.cz

On Projects Advising SL Union de Agricultores y Ganaderos- Biotehniški Center Naklo (Spain) Jovenes Agricultores de Jaén (Spain) (Slovenia) www.onprojects.es www.coagjaen.es www.bc-naklo.si

Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Toscana European Landowners’ Organisation (Italy) (Belgium) www.ciatoscana.eu www.europeanlandowners.org

Social Media Project Website

/CoFarm www.cofarm-erasmus.eu www.facebook.com/CoFarm-1793897127551330

/COFARM_ERASMUS www.twitter.com/COFARM_ERASMUS

The Società Cooperativa Agricola Eco-Energie, located in in the south of Tuscany, Italy , was established in order to protect the forestry landscape; to develop an activity in the field of the green economy; and to create new employ- ment opportunities for the local population. The mission of the cooperative is to increase the cultivation of forestry, in an innovative way. The innovative topic of this cooperation experience is the production of local certified fuel from wood and the management of the whole supply chain, selling energy to the final consumers and, thereby, creating add value from wood and involving the local population in the maintenance of the landscape. Basic information

Subbiano (AR)

Name ECOENERGIE

Year of establishment 2011

Kind of cooperation Cooperative

Number of farmers/ landowners/ entrepreneurs/ enterprises involved 9 Farmers

Internet links http://www.ecoenergie.es/ Cooperation Process Data

The main threat to mountainous areas and forestry land is the relatively low commodity prices offered for lumber / timber on global markets in comparison to the costs of planting, maintaining and logging. In order to combat this challenge, ECOENERGIE have engaged, thanks to the cooperation, in the: - Production and sale of , traditional wood products including firewood and wooden poles; - Engagement in public procurement activities, especially in land maintenance (civil engineering works, green management, cleaning of river banks) - Management of heating plants. The cooperative manages a heating network and provides energy to a village and it has the capacity to heat a volume of 40.000 cubic meters.

The cooperative is also involved as a partner in a number of projects funded through the Rural Development Pro- gramme within the Tuscany region. The main learning element emerged from this experience of cooperation, concerns the concept of multifunctionality as a way to reach a competitiveness, utilizing together human resources, competences, machinery of a group of farmers, working in a local very difficult context. The cooperation between farmers was essential in order to avail of the opportunities offered in the territory. The cooperative is managed by 9 farmers and it employs 36 staff. The average annual income of the cooperative is €2,500,000.

The main skills required for establishing this form of cooperation concerns ascertaining knowledge about - The cooperation system in agriculture, in terms of advantages/critical points of different forms of collaboration and cooperation between farmers, suggesting different solutions based on the real experiences of farmers different aggregation forms. - Management: rules, administrative management, accountability.

The management of the large range of activities undertaken by ECOENERGIE, requires the hiring of personnel / staff from different sectors. These include: - Forestry (knowledge about forestry management and health &safety) - Wood energy chain (wood fuels, management of heating plants) - Public works: (civil engineering, use of earth moving machines) The main benefits for farmers participating in this type of cooperation include: valorize their products - transforming wood into products with higher added value; and utilizing their skills in heritage management for the benefit of the local community. This includes developing a sustainable way to cultivate forestry, soil protection and support and maintaining the landscape. The local production of energy from wood represent an economic activity strongly linked with common benefits for local community and reflects the cultural and heritage of the region.

The critical difficulty is to obtain a sustainable income from wood products, especially in a relatively poor territory.

Possible advantages and disadvantages are:

Advantages: - The Cooperation in this sector is an answer to the needs of economic development of forestry and connected activities. The Cooperative model form allows the group to manage a large surface of forestry, optimizing the use of machinery and local resources. - The Cooperative Model allows the organization to manage a wide range of activities, increasing the income poten- tiality for farmers.

Disadvantages: - This form of cooperation needs a very strong levels of management skills. - Costs management is critical and as the add value is not high cash flow can be problematic. This in particular applies to the most innovative activities (energy selling, activities commissioned by local administration

Advice/Recommendation

The main points outlined in the interview by Simone Baglioni, President of ECOENERGIE include:

“ The green economy and multifunctionality (Food production, renewable energies, forestry and tourism) represent the future of rural areas. ’’

“ To avoid the risk of abandonment of forests and mountain areas, and the consequences in terms of destruction of territorial failure, the Government and public administration could encourage and support forestry cooperation. ’’ Queries/Questions

• In what ways can co-operation in forestry activities be supported in your locality / region? In what ways can the forestry sector work in unison with other actors / stakeholders in promoting the green economy? Key Words

Cooperation Key Words Cooperative Marketing/sales Production

Farm Key Words Forestry Mountain area Partners

Limerick Institute of Technology: Hof und Leben GmbH Asociace Soukromeho Zemedelstvi (Ireland) (Germany) Ceske Republiky (Czech Republic) www.lit.ie/rdi www.hofundleben.de www.asz.cz

On Projects Advising SL Union de Agricultores y Ganaderos- Biotehniški Center Naklo (Spain) Jovenes Agricultores de Jaén (Spain) (Slovenia) www.onprojects.es www.coagjaen.es www.bc-naklo.si

Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Toscana European Landowners’ Organisation (Italy) (Belgium) www.ciatoscana.eu www.europeanlandowners.org

Social Media Project Website

/CoFarm www.cofarm-erasmus.eu www.facebook.com/CoFarm-1793897127551330

/COFARM_ERASMUS www.twitter.com/COFARM_ERASMUS

The Cooperative Frantoio del Grevepesa, located in in the area of Chianti, on the hills within the Province of Florence, was created in order to procure olives from Chianti’s farmers in order to produce high quality olive oil. The cooperative produces certified oil with different labels (organic oil, Protected origin oil, oil of area Chianti). In total, 250 farmers are members of the co-operative. Basic information

S. Casciano Val di Pesa

Name Cooperative Frantoio del Grevepesa

Year of establishment 1975

Kind of cooperation Cooperative

Number of farmers/ landowners/ entrepreneurs/ enterprises involved 250 Farmers

Internet links http://www.frantoiogrevepesa.it/ https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=FRANTOIO%20GREVEPESA Cooperation Process Data

The cooperative is born in 1975, promoted by 100 farmers from the Provinces of Firenze, Siena and Arezzo. Currently the number farmers involved has grown to 250. The cooperative collects olives from the associated farmers and produces 5 types of extra-virgin olive oil. The reason which led to set up the cooperative being established was the need of farmers to develop a common mill collecting olives from little farms and transform the olives in oil. The mission of the cooperative is to produce olive oil of high quality, and to promote and market the product and create added value for associated farmers. The Cooperative owns an oil mill which is a modern plant based on a continuous cycle in two phases, without the addition of water. The production capacity is 400.000 liters of olives oil. The co-operative currently employs 3 people with an average yearly turnover of € 850.000. Some farmers have a contract with the cooperative for the production of the oil and the cooperative also sell the oil and pass on the market price to the farmers; other farmers prefer that the cooperative only does the milling and bottling and pay the cooperative for this service. They then sell the produce themselves. The cooperative offers two additional services: - The sale of olives kernel, as bio-fuel for heating; - An Eco-centre collecting waste from farmers.

The average yearly production of the cooperative is around 400 Tons of olive oil. The cooperative is managed from a board of 8 farmers, that submit the main decisions to the general shareholders’ meeting.

The main threat to the olive oil sector in Tuscany is farmers leaving the sector due to low productivity. In Tuscany there are 90.000 hectares of olive plants, with a yearly production of 18.000 Tons of oil (0,2 tons per Hectare). The low productivity levels are being caused by: - Olives cultivation currently occurrs on the hills; therefore in most part of Tuscany is not possible to realize an intensive cultivation of olives tree (compared to other areas of Italy). - The farms are small and cannot adopt a intensive mechanization of cultivation processes. For this reason the production costs are very high. - The geographical position of Tuscany (the production of olives oil is typical in the south regions, while Tuscany is at the northern limit of the area of olives cultivation) does not allow for high production, compared with other areas producing olives oil. - The transformation process from olives to oil require an industrial plant not economically sustainable for small farmers.

On the other hand, the quality of olives oil of Tuscany is globally recognized. Therefore, farmers of this sector are facing intense competition from other oil producers. The development of a regional cooperative which collects olives from associated farmers, and produces and sells the olive oil is very important. The special challenge of Frantoio del Grevepesa is to produce only certified oil of high quality, using local olives produced in the provinces of Florence, Siena and Arezzo. The Cooperative must maintain high quality standards despite the specific challenges posed by biological factors, climatic trend, diseases.

In summary, the main challenges addressed by this cooperative include: - Increase competitiveness within the olive oil sector. - Expanded market share at local, national and international scales through focusing on quality oil production. - Ensure a good income to the associated farmers.

The main learning element which emerged from this experience of cooperation, concerns the possibility for small farmers, thanks to their involvement in the cooperative, to establish market presence and sustainable income levels , due to following factors: - Possibility to concentrate the product offered in the market. - Better opportunity to manage a commercial/customer relationships. - Possibility to manage, as cooperative, the costs of certification processes to prove the oil is from the region and organic.

In order to establish this form of co-operative, it is essential to know: - Cooperation system in agriculture, in terms of advantages/critical points of different aggregation forms; - Management: relationship with associated farmers, marketing, legal rules relevant to cooperatives and its structure, administrative management, accountability; - Production: specific skills for managing the production process, evaluate the quality of olives and oil.

The main benefit for farmers participating in this cooperation experience is the opportunity to develop a mechanism to valorize their products, transforming olives into a high quality product with a good price in the market.

The critical point is that olive oil market is very inconsistent. The price is influenced by trends on the global market, and sometime is very difficult to recover the production costs. Advice/Recommendation

According to Filippo Legnaioli, President of Cooperative, the following are key considerations:

“ The development of certified quality of production is the only possible strategy to increase the competitiveness of olives oil sector in Tuscany. ’’

“ Olives cultivation is an important heritage for landscape and environment; therefore policy makers should make the maximum effort to promote and safeguard this sector. ’’

“ Cooperation is essential in the olive oil sector. ’’

Queries/Questions

• What do you think about the different model of olives oil production in Europe? • Do you think that focusing on quality and organic/sustainable production is a good strategy for cooperatives to consider when promoting their food products? Key Words

Cooperation Key Words Cooperative Marketing/sales Processing

Farm Key Words Olives/olive oil Organic/integrated/certified farming Small/familiy farm(s) Partners

Limerick Institute of Technology: Hof und Leben GmbH Asociace Soukromeho Zemedelstvi (Ireland) (Germany) Ceske Republiky (Czech Republic) www.lit.ie/rdi www.hofundleben.de www.asz.cz

On Projects Advising SL Union de Agricultores y Ganaderos- Biotehniški Center Naklo (Spain) Jovenes Agricultores de Jaén (Spain) (Slovenia) www.onprojects.es www.coagjaen.es www.bc-naklo.si

Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Toscana European Landowners’ Organisation (Italy) (Belgium) www.ciatoscana.eu www.europeanlandowners.org

Social Media Project Website

/CoFarm www.cofarm-erasmus.eu www.facebook.com/CoFarm-1793897127551330

/COFARM_ERASMUS www.twitter.com/COFARM_ERASMUS