Pioneering an Integral Ecological Development Model for “Made in Italy” agri-food excellence
Università di Firenze e Future Food Institute & BF spa
Florence, November 2024 – In collaboration with the University of Florence and the Future Food Institute, a groundbreaking project is set to establish an innovation and experimentation center dedicated to regenerative agriculture and integrated ecological development at Villa Montepaldi, a historic agricultural estate in San Casciano Val di Pesa. Once owned by Lorenzo de’ Medici and acquired by the University of Florence in 1989, this estate embodies a blend of heritage and forward-thinking agricultural practices. The project has been entrusted to Montepaldi – Terre di Rinascimento, a Benefit company guided by the Future Food Institute (FFI), which has brought on board the strategic partner and investor, BF Spa.
This initiative, presented today at Villa Ruspoli by the University’s Rector, Alessandra Petrucci, and Sara Roversi, President of the Future Food Institute, will encompass multiple dimensions — cultural, economic, and social. By revitalizing a property of substantial economic importance while preserving its academic functions, the project aims to integrate local heritage with sustainable innovation.
The project’s scope includes managing a section of Villa Montepaldi’s extensive lands as well as the historic Medici villa itself. Through this stewardship, the project will work to bring the estate to full productivity, combining traditional agricultural practices with modern innovations focused on biodiversity conservation and sustainable, inclusive agriculture. One of its primary goals is to promote iconic Italian products, such as olive oil and wine, transforming Montepaldi into a model of excellence in Italian agribusiness.
The project will also create an experimental hub for “integrated ecology,” a comprehensive approach to sustainability that harmonizes environmental, economic, social, and cultural factors. Additionally, a range of services, including dining and event facilities, will be developed based on the Living Lab model — an open, collaborative innovation environment where citizens, institutions, businesses, and research organizations co-create sustainable solutions.
Further strengthening Montepaldi’s role as an educational center, the project aims to enhance its legacy as one of Europe’s largest educational farms. The new Montepaldi campus will provide transformative learning experiences for students and emerging professionals in agriculture, positioning Villa Montepaldi as a key resource for practical and theoretical knowledge in integrated ecological development and regenerative models that aim to restore soil health and biodiversity.
“The enhancement of Montepaldi aligns with the commercial potential of this Living Lab model within the distinguished agricultural zone of Chianti, affirming its role as an advanced educational and research hub, under the direct oversight of the University,” said Rector Alessandra Petrucci.
Sara Roversi, founder and president of the Future Food Institute, emphasized, “The mission and innovative approach guiding Villa Montepaldi draws inspiration from the model developed at the Paideia Campus in Pollica, Campania, a Mediterranean Diet Living Lab established in 2020. At Montepaldi, we aim to create an ecosystem where regenerative agriculture, natural resource conservation, health, and the enhancement of Italy’s cultural heritage converge. With a strong focus on biodiversity, soil health, and water quality, Villa Montepaldi is poised to experiment with practices that merge science, tradition, and innovation, placing Italy at the forefront of European sustainability discussions.”
A robust network of partners is essential to the project’s success. Montepaldi – Terre di Rinascimento includes a committed group of agricultural stakeholders under the Future Food Institute’s guidance and notably counts BF Spa as a key investor. BF Spa, a leader in Italy’s agricultural sector, brings expertise in agronomic practices and advanced technology, supporting a scalable and replicable business model for regenerative agriculture.
“This event represents a consolidation of BF Spa’s presence in Tuscany, where we already cultivate over 4,800 hectares,” stated Federico Vecchioni, CEO of BF Spa. “The Montepaldi initiative offers an opportunity to establish a national center for regenerative agriculture within a region celebrated for its agricultural heritage, an investment that benefits the entire Tuscan community.”
With a program encompassing innovation, education, and sustainability, Villa Montepaldi is set to become a premier center for regional regeneration and the promotion of Italian agricultural excellence. Bridging past and future, science and tradition, this historic Medici estate is ready to inspire sustainable agricultural practices and development models that can be replicated nationally and internationally.
