It should no longer be surprising that Chianti is the most beloved territory by Americans. Every year, our area welcomes a large number of U.S. tourists, and in recent times it has also become a destination for schools and advanced programs in various disciplines. For example, three programs related to classical music have been active in the Greve in Chianti area for more than 30 years.
Starting this year, Greve in Chianti will be the operational base in Italy of the School for Field Studies (SFS), a leading American organization in the training of university students on the themes of the environment and sustainability. We had the opportunity to speak with Jessica Shepherd, Program Manager for Italy, who told us more about the SFS and its students.
The School for Field Studies (SFS) is the largest provider of environmental study abroad programs in the United States, sending over seven hundred undergraduate students for semester and summer programs to research centers in twelve countries: Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chilean Patagonia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. SFS students work closely with SFS faculty to study environmental issues that local stakeholders define as critical to their region.
Students—from a variety of prestigious American colleges and universities, including Sewanee Tennessee, Colorado College, Know College, Colby Sawyer College, University of California/Santa Barbara, The College of Wooster, Kenyon College, Amherst College, Grinnell College—complete a directed research project under the supervision of faculty and present their findings to community members at the end of each term.
The Program in Italy: Between Sustainability and Territory
The School for Field Studies Italia program – Sustaining Traditions: Food, Farming, and Climate – is based in Greve in Chianti and focuses on sustainable and local agri-food systems, distinguishing itself from other SFS programs, active in six continents, which mainly address environmental issues from a naturalistic perspective.
This unique and innovation-oriented program focuses on the sustainability of agri-food systems, recognizing the growing importance of the impacts of such systems on the environment and the need to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector to preserve biodiversity, combat climate change and reduce pollution.
During the academic semester, students visit several locations in Tuscany, including:
• the Maremma, where they study the conservation of agrobiodiversity – in collaboration with the company Terre Regionali Toscane of the Tuscany Region and Tenuta San Carlo – and analyze the sustainability of traditional fishing in coastal brackish lagoons;
• Mugello and Casentino, where, in collaboration with the Casentinesi Forests National Park, they examine the sustainable management of conflicts between wolves and pastoral activities and study the production of chestnuts and other forest products;
Chianti, where they carry out research on the sustainability of viticulture and olive growing in various organic companies including Altiero and Querciabella
A particular study area is dedicated to the different cattle breeds: from the Calvana cow at risk of extinction that the Podere Ruggeri company in Casentino is trying to save, to the Maremmana cow, up to the Chianina in Chianti. This study highlights the biodiversity of the Tuscan territory.
There is no shortage of cultural visits, such as the one to the Convento dei Frati in La Verna, the Wool Museum in Casentino and, of course, the Tuscan cities of art.
An Authentic Experience: English for Pasta
In addition to classroom and field lessons, SFS offers students an authentic experience in close contact with local communities. One example is the “English for Pasta” project: each week, students are hosted by Italian families with teenage children, where they practice the Italian language, help with homework, and converse in English, and then have dinner together. It is a unique experience for both the young students and the host families.
Why Tuscany and Greve in Chianti?
“We chose Tuscany for its incredible biodiversity and attention to sustainability, qualities that are difficult to find elsewhere in Europe,” says Jessica. “And when you look at Tuscany, Chianti is the most well-known and loved area in the United States. Everyone associates it with Italy! And let’s not forget that the president of the organization fell in love with this area.”
Why do students choose this program?
“Here, students have the opportunity to see theory applied to practice, immersed in real life. The added value is that they are part of a communityity from which they learn and are culturally enriched. It is not just a study, but a life experience.”
Projects for the Future
The goal is to put down solid roots. “We are looking for a permanent structure that will become our Italian campus, large enough to host students and staff for the whole year,” explains Jessica. “At the moment, we house the 13 students in two structures, relying on the Coop of Greve for meals and lessons. Our dream is to create a Research Center for sustainable agriculture in Greve in Chianti.”
