La Tabacca: a Social Permaculture Project in Liguria
Just a few kilometers from the sea in Voltri, Genoa, there’s a house nestled in the woods where life runs on zero impact. It’s a permaculture project. It’s also an ecological training school. And it’s a dream passionately pursued by two women from Genoa, Francesca and Giorgia. This is La Tabacca farm. In this article, we’ll dive into their story, their values, and the opportunities La Tabacca has to offer.
Back To the Roots: The Birth Of La Tabacca
From a young age, Giorgia and Francesca developed a deep connection with nature. Giorgia fondly recalls childhood memories spent among vineyards and gardens, experiences that shaped her desire to live in harmony with the environment.
As adults, they transformed their love for nature into a life mission: to create a model that integrates sustainable agriculture, sustainable living and community building, showing that it’s possible to support the local economy without compromising the environment.
Their journey began with the regeneration of an old country house and the surrounding agricultural land, following the principles of permaculture. Step by step, Francesca and Giorgia founded La Tabacca, a farm built on the core values of deep ecology and community.
Permaculture: A Comprehensive Philosophy
But La Tabacca is more than just a farm; it’s a learning center and a living example of permaculture. Giorgia, with a diploma in permaculture, applied her knowledge to renovate the house and manage the land using eco-friendly techniques and recycled materials. The house is powered by a natural spring and uses a phytoremediation system, reducing its environmental impact and providing a concrete model for sustainable living.
Similarly, Social permaculture is a concept where communities look to natural environments to model co-existence and co-creation. At La Tabacca, this sustainable lifestyle extends to fostering authentic relationships and creating community projects to promote collective well-being.
Learning And Growing Together
La Tabacca has partnered with Terra Onlus, an ecological training school, offering internships for young farmers. The project is all about building connections. Giorgia and Francesca have brought together friends, family, and neighbors to help, creating a strong network of support. This network has helped them form meaningful relationships with the local community, like Signora Tina, who prepares traditional foods for everyone, fostering a sense of togetherness.
Reviving Traditions And Local Development
One of the most exciting parts of the project is the revival of ancient fruit varieties, particularly plums, and the creation of an orchard. This effort not only preserves biodiversity but also creates new opportunities for local production.
La Tabacca is also focused on boosting local eco-tourism, attracting visitors looking for authentic, sustainable experiences. They’ve even partnered with other female-run farms, showing the power of collaboration in promoting women empowerment in agriculture.
A Future Of Change for a Greener Italy
La Tabacca represents a forward-looking vision for Italy, a country rediscovering its roots while creating new societal models. Giorgia and Francesca are part of a broader movement of sustainability and social innovation. They’re not just building a house or a farm—they’re helping shape a more sustainable and connected future for Italy. For them, a changing Italy is an opportunity to revisit the past and build a better, greener future. It’s about creating networks that leverage existing resources and knowledge to support both the environment and the community.
In A Nutshell
La Tabacca is a project located in the heart of Liguria, Italy, where Giorgia and Francesca, through the regeneration of an old house and the care of agricultural land, follow the principles of permaculture, integrating sustainable farming, social engagement, and education. Their commitment goes beyond the land, extending to the community through the creation of social networks and collaborations with local organizations. La Tabacca shows us that the shift towards a greener and more ethical Italy isn’t a utopia, but a tangible possibility we can achieve together.