Francesca has always felt a strong bond with the Earth. Before becoming a farmer, she worked as a caregiver in a nursery and in facilities for people with disabilities. Her life took a major turn when she found out she was pregnant, creating what she describes as a “chasm of contradiction” inside her. Francesca realized she didn’t want others raising her child while she was caring for other people’s children.

Driven by the desire to raise her child in a natural environment, she felt a powerful call to find a plot of land where she could create educational gardens—a small patch where they could learn and grow together.

Nature as a cure

When she finally found the perfect plot of land close to home, everything seemed set for a fresh start. But soon after, her life was struck by tragedy: her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer and, despite their fight, he eventually passed away. In that moment, Nature became much more than a project for Francesca—it was a true remedy for her soul, a space where she could turn pain into love. With heart and determination, Francesca kept working the land every day, expanding her crops to provide the stability her son deserved.

Natural farming without water

Francesca practices natural farming based on seasonality and without irrigation. Known as dry farming, this method requires minimal intervention, encouraging plants to develop deeper roots. By not irrigating, Francesca pushes the plants to seek moisture deep in the soil, making them more resilient and self-sufficient.

Growing the Earth with minimal human intervention has shown Francesca that plants can thrive even without surface water. Every day she observes how, the less she interferes, the more abundance she receives, emphasizing the importance of letting Nature follow its own course.

Francesca’s philosophy of life

Each morning, Francesca begins her work at dawn, taking advantage of the cool hours to plant and harvest. Even though she often works alone, Francesca never feels lonely, as the presence of Nature around her fills her with life. Her routine is a harmonious dance between work and listening to the Earth, in a continuous process of learning.

Francesca believes that farming is a mutual exchange between people and the Earth:

I work the Earth, and the Earth works on me,

she says with a smile. This symbiotic bond with Nature allows her to grow not only as a farmer, but as a person. Caring for the soil becomes a way to better understand how to nurture her relationship with herself and the world around her.

The challenges of a farmer’s life

Being a farmer comes with its share of challenges. Francesca faces financial challenges and often needs to prove the value of her work. Her experiences have shown her just how undervalued our connection with the food that sustains us has become, especially as the gap grows between the real value of food and fair compensation for those who produce it.

To give her work the value it deserves, Francesca sells her products directly. However, pricing them fairly would mean doubling their cost, which often makes it difficult to find buyers. This struggle for proper recognition is a constant challenge for small farmers, often affected by the low prices imposed by the large distribution.

For this reason, it’s essential to support small local farms that grow organic, seasonal products and work ethically, far removed from exploitative labor practices. Buying from small farmers in our area brings healthier food to our tables and supports a fair, sustainable economy that respects both the environment and the dignity of agricultural work.

La Raccontadina

Despite the challenges, Francesca continues to cultivate her land, her dreams, and her hopes for a better future. To share her experiences and knowledge, she created the project La Raccontadina (The Farmteller). Through her blog and social media, Francesca shares her journey as a farmer and mother, offering practical advice on natural farming techniques, self-sufficiency, and living in harmony with the Earth. Through La Raccontadina, she inspires more and more people who seek a life closer to Nature. Her example shows us that each of us can play a part in building a better future.

In a Nutshell

Francesca’s story is a journey of renewal through a deep connection with the Earth. After the loss of her husband, she dedicated herself to natural farming and dry farming, sharing her sustainable lifestyle through her project, La Raccontadina. Through her journey, Francesca inspires more and more people to live in harmony with Nature, helping us build a future of community, solidarity, and respect for the environment.