La Petrosa
Edmondo Soffritti
Farm manager
Farm name
La Petrosa
Farm type
Mixed farm (livestock, vegetable, agroforestry)
Location
Campania, Italy
Farm size
60 hectares
Primary soil type
Clay loam soil
Temperature range
0° – 38° degrees Celsius, USDA 9B
Average precipitation
1000 mm/ year
Social structure
Family owned farm
Sales channels
98% direct sales: 50% through tourism in farmhouse, own restaurant, and camping; the rest through the farm shops and local farmer market
Produce
Wheat, bread, sweet and savory biscuits, pasta, goat and cow milk, cheese, olive oil, fresh vegetables, tomato sauces
Contact
The Southern Light Farm
La Petrosa’s transition to regenerative farming
Climate Farmer since
2022
Previously conventional managed
Farm history
- The story began in 1930 with grandparents purchasing the land
- Many changes over time, from plowing with oxen to tractors to their regenerative transition
- In 1986 the parents took over the farm and passed on their passion
- Today La Petrosa is an organic regenerative farm managed by the siblings Edmondo, Luigia and Simona
Previous practices
- Conventional corn production for buffalo
- No vegetable production
- Plowing
- Synthetical input dependent
Investment costs
- Time: 4-5 years for a transition period (started 9 years ago)
- Specific machinery for:
- Mechanical work
- Direct seeder (30.000€)
- Cultivator for changing to min. till
New practices
Agroforestry
❍ Agroforestry
No-till seeding
❍ Minimal Soil Disturbance
Composting
❍ Cover Cropping
No plowing
❍ Minimal Soil Disturbance
Mulching
❍ Water Cycle Restoration
Animal Rotation
❍ Holistic Grazing
Challenges so far
There is no existing recipe for all systems, you have to experience everything for your context, it does not just work through theoretical learning
Outcomes so far
- Soil is more loose, easier to work the soil
- Increased organic matter
- Increase in biodiversity
- Big reduction in pest and diseasses
Learnings of your journey
It is very important to share experiences, but at the same time, it is necessary to experiment directly on your farm. Each ecosystem is different and reacts differently
“For me, Regenerative Agriculture is the only way for the future of food and for our planet. It is not easy to scale but is the future of agriculture”
— The reason that drives La Petrosa to practice regenerative agriculture
Future ambitions
More agroforestry
Increase direct seeding
Increase cover crops
This farm is part of something bigger.
So can you. Apply for the Regenerative Agronomy Training.
Our partners
Our partners
