Italy

Agrileisuretime

MORE PHYTODEPURATION, LESS WASTE!

This type of ReGenerative agriculture method falls under the Macroarea of Autarky/selfsufficiency, within the category of WATER MANEGEMENT with the following measures: Selfpurification processes.

Phytodepuration system ; water management; self-sufficiency; soil depuration; selfpurification; plant based system; natural purification;

Introduction

The agricultural company was founded by Antonio Lattanzi 24 years ago, and he has managed to adapt his business to market changes, leading to its transformation into an educational farm with student workshops, sports center, organic food hub, animal husbandry, and sustainable practices. He personally takes care of the hospitality, the preparation of meals, and service in a friendly atmosphere with maximum availability and patience, supported by his lovely wife! Antonio and his family chose regenerative agriculture to improve the land for future generations. They prioritize soil, water, and biodiversity by reducing chemicals and working with nature, ensuring long-term resilience and productivity.

The Farm

A foreign language teacher (Maria), a professional volleyball player (Niccolò), an agricultural entrepreneur (Antonio)! Each of them has put together their passions and talents to give life to the Agrileisuretime, a place to relax, to regain possession of your own time. Their farm is for those who love nature, animals, get together to chat about organic food, recipes coming from the peasant tradition and the collection of wild herbs in all seasons, walk in the woods and let the children play with the animals of the farm or on the sand of their large sports arena You can also learn languages, English and French from an early age playing in the natural environment. Agrileasuretime organizes workshops: a space dedicated to young people of all ages, learning to live with nature, taking care of farmyard animals and making pasta as grandparents did. Agrileisuretime has a history of hospitality lasting more than 10 years, offers a restaurant with local products, has 10 spacious rooms and apartments and it covers 14 hectares of agricultural land.

The Location

The farm is family-run and consists of 14 hectares of agricultural land surrounded by green hills of Umbria among vineyards, olive groves, pastures and woods. Every person working on the farm takes personal care of what is produced with the utmost respect for nature and human health. The agriturismo is located between Spoleto, Trevi, Montefalco and Castel Ritaldi, in an area surrounded by vineyards and olive groves producing DOP Umbrian olive oil and Sagrantino wine. If you are looking for an artistic and cultural itinerary, not far from here, you can visit the cities of Assisi, Spello, Bevagna, Trevi and Montefalco; a little further Gubbio and Orvieto, all to be visited for their artistic heritage. Agrileasuretime is also 50 minutes’ drive from the city of art of Perugia, 45 km from Norcia, 45 minutes’ drive from Perugia-San Francesco d’Assisi airport and 90 minutes from FiumicinoAirport of Rome.

Agricultural regeneration objectives

Here at Agrileisuretime the basic principles of regenerative agriculture are fully matched with the peasant culture of “nothing goes to waste, ” which has led the farm to the recovery of certain crops & crop rotation to keeping the soil fertile and avoiding nutrient depletion. Corn cultivation, for example, has been reintroduced:nthe seeds are used as food for animals and flour for humans, the cob as heat for fireplaces – and now in the multi-fuel boilers- and the leaves for weaving baskets. since the Waste recycling used to be minimal, there were no plastic bags, and leftover food found exceptional means of disposal in pigs whom are being sheltered on the farm. Composting to improve soil health and the regenerative reuse of what might once have been considered waste is now valued instead. Reclaimed garden elements for compost production is a well-established practice. It allows humus to be returned to the cultivated soil and all plant waste to be recovered.

Best Practice Focus

Agrilesure implemented a phytodepuration plant system to reclaim wastewater for irrigation and collect rainwater in a pond, addressing water scarcity. This sustainable agricultural approach exemplifies regenerative agriculture, enhancing soil health with minimal human intervention. Phytodepuration, a natural sewage treatment system, uses plants, microorganisms, and gravel substrates to purify wastewater without complex machinery or high energy use. The process mimics natural self-purification, absorbing organic compounds and producing legally purified water without sludge. This innovative method highlights the potential for sustainable resource management in agriculture, promoting efficiency and environmental conservation.

Financial aspects of regenerative measure implementation

Based on the phytodepuration system installed at Agrilesuretime, the total cost of the system, including the size of the installation, materials, design expenses, and required authorizations, is approximately €24,000. Additionally, ongoing maintenance costs must be considered, which will further increase the overall investment over time.

Advantages and disadvantages of no-till and cover cropping

Minimum maintenance costs compared to conventional sewage treatment plants.

Creation of a green area in place of concrete artefacts.

Possibility of reuse of purified water for irrigation purposes.

Demand for larger areas than conventional scrubbers.

Costs of acquiring the land on which to build the installation.

Mosquitoes and animals proliferate near the gravel basin.

Learning points

Knowledge of the different phyto-purification models.

Know how to design and build an integrated phyto-purification plant in an agritourism context, which respects the criteria reported in the European and national guidelines.

It is necessary to know and invest in a specialist to carry out the soil study and design the hydraulic system.

Use regenerated water appropriately, reusable for irrigating crops.

Acquire criteria for choosing plant essences and their availability in nurseries.

Acquire Regenerative agriculture skills with the main idea of “nothing is wasted”.

References/Bibliography

Contact details

Address

Località Terraia, 47/a - 06049 Spoleto - IT

Phone

Antonio: +39.335.68.80.998

VAT

VAT n. 03482860545