Cultura Viva
Farm manager(s)
Stefano Zenezini and Laurence Deprez
Farm name
Cultura Viva
Farm type
Oliviculture
Location
Umbria, Italy
Farm size
3 hectares
Primary soil type
Clay soil
Temperature range
2° – 41° degrees Celsius, USDA 10b
Average precipitation
800-900mm/year
Social structure
Family owned
Sales channels
Online store
Produce
Olive oil
Contact
Cultura Viva
Cultura Viva
Cultura Viva – transition to regenerative farming
Climate Farmer since
2025
Farm history
In 2020, when given the opportunity to purchase the land adjacent to their property, Stefano and Laurence embarked upon their restoration journey. Along with working on revitalizing the abandonded olive grove they had purchased, 250 additional olive trees have since been planted.
Investment costs
- Mulcher
- Water collection equipment and irrigation system for the young trees
- Making of swales
New practices
Manure as biofertilizer
❍ Composting & Bio Fertilizers
Cover cropping
❍ Cover Cropping
Swales & Drainages
❍ Water Cycle Restoration
Challenges so far
- Vulnerability to pests e.g., the olive fruit fly (have experienced a loss of 90% of their olives)
- Difficulty in finding employees
Outcomes so far
- Increased biodiversity of plants, animals, and insects on the farm
- Olive trees are vibrant and healthy
Learnings of your journey
No matter the location, product focus, or type of agriculture, everyone experiences the same challenges. Therefore, it is important to connect with others to learn from them, in order to minimize the occurence of mistakes.
“Our goal is to produce the best olive oil whilst having a positive impact on the environment and the community in which we live. We are stewards of the land, not the owners. So, whilst we’re here, we want to have a positive impact on the land – which is where regenerative agriculture comes from.”
— Stefano Zenezini on what motivates him to pursue regenerative agriculture
Future ambitions
Working on integrating the olives from the new trees into their products, whilst ensuring that quality is maintained throughout.
Our partners
Our partners
