We put our heart into farming<\/h1>\n<\/div>![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27116%27%20height%3D%2724%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20116%2024%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27116%27%20height%3D%27324%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" "\\"divider-gold\\"")
<\/span><\/div>The farm covers about 120 hectares<\/strong>, where meadows and forests have been cared for according to organic farming laws since 1996, when we joined the twenty-year program of the European Community \u201cReg. EEC 2078 \u2013 Action F1<\/strong>\u201d applying to \u201careas of particular landscape and environmental interest<\/strong>\u201d. We let the land rest, in order to restore the turf, stop erosion, landslides and hydrogeological instability, and restore the ecosystem; in this context, we have planted over 3500 wild native fruit plants<\/strong>, which the local animals feed on.<\/p>\nTo promote the knowledge of this area and its natural environment, we organize educational and environmental activities<\/strong>, courses and conferences, and we have set up some botanical and naturalistic paths within the estate.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFarming<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div>Farmland not included in \u201careas of particular landscape and environmental interest\u201d are used for growing organic legumes and cereals<\/strong>, including spelt, wheat, barley, field beans, peas and flax.<\/p>\nIn 2011, we started growing organic Lambrusco grapes<\/strong> and organic medicinal herbs<\/strong>, as well as vegetables and herbs that are used in the restaurant. Among others, they include salad and escarole, Tropea onions, chards, tomatoes, borlotti beans, peas, green beans, peppers, aubergines, zucchini and pumpkins.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe ecosystem: habitat, flora and fauna<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div>The area surrounding the farm is rich in biodiversity. There are still bushes, uncultivated fields, open farmland and a small pond, as well as a gully area next to xerophilous meadows (arid and dry), where, in spring, you can admire the blossoming of more than ten protected species of wild orchids, some of which are rare, including himantoglossum adriaticum, oprhys fusca, gymnadenia conopsea and orchis coriophora.<\/p>\n<\/div>
There are large hedges with berry shrubs, such as hawthorn, privet, dog rose, dogwood and spindle, which are often visited by birds, such as nightingales, blackcaps and golden orioles, and birds of prey, such as hobbies, kestrels, buzzards, sparrowhawks and hawks. Between the uncultivated meadows and the pond, there are many reptiles and amphibians, including species of Community Importance, such as the smooth newt, grass snakes, blindworms and three-toed skinks.<\/p>\n
When walking in the sunny areas, one can meet different butterflies, including vanessas, swallow tail butterflies, scarce swallowtails, silver-washed fritillaries and orange tips, as well as different species of dragonflies near the water.
\nTowards sunset, one can see deer in the fields, squirrels in the woods, and, if one pays close attention, along the paths one can find traces of species including foxes, badgers, boars and wolves, which have been spotted in the hills of the area for several years.<\/p>\n
The park is located near the CAI path that connects the ancient Parish Church Mucciatella (Puianello) with the castle of Canossa, along the ridge, from where one can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and the Po Valley.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/parcodimontebello.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/divider-gold.png\" "\\"divider-gold\\"")
<\/span><\/div>The farm covers about 120 hectares<\/strong>, where meadows and forests have been cared for according to organic farming laws since 1996, when we joined the twenty-year program of the European Community \u201cReg. EEC 2078 \u2013 Action F1<\/strong>\u201d applying to \u201careas of particular landscape and environmental interest<\/strong>\u201d. We let the land rest, in order to restore the turf, stop erosion, landslides and hydrogeological instability, and restore the ecosystem; in this context, we have planted over 3500 wild native fruit plants<\/strong>, which the local animals feed on.<\/p>\n To promote the knowledge of this area and its natural environment, we organize educational and environmental activities<\/strong>, courses and conferences, and we have set up some botanical and naturalistic paths within the estate.<\/p>\n<\/div> Farmland not included in \u201careas of particular landscape and environmental interest\u201d are used for growing organic legumes and cereals<\/strong>, including spelt, wheat, barley, field beans, peas and flax.<\/p>\n In 2011, we started growing organic Lambrusco grapes<\/strong> and organic medicinal herbs<\/strong>, as well as vegetables and herbs that are used in the restaurant. Among others, they include salad and escarole, Tropea onions, chards, tomatoes, borlotti beans, peas, green beans, peppers, aubergines, zucchini and pumpkins.<\/p>\n<\/div> The area surrounding the farm is rich in biodiversity. There are still bushes, uncultivated fields, open farmland and a small pond, as well as a gully area next to xerophilous meadows (arid and dry), where, in spring, you can admire the blossoming of more than ten protected species of wild orchids, some of which are rare, including himantoglossum adriaticum, oprhys fusca, gymnadenia conopsea and orchis coriophora.<\/p>\n<\/div> There are large hedges with berry shrubs, such as hawthorn, privet, dog rose, dogwood and spindle, which are often visited by birds, such as nightingales, blackcaps and golden orioles, and birds of prey, such as hobbies, kestrels, buzzards, sparrowhawks and hawks. Between the uncultivated meadows and the pond, there are many reptiles and amphibians, including species of Community Importance, such as the smooth newt, grass snakes, blindworms and three-toed skinks.<\/p>\n When walking in the sunny areas, one can meet different butterflies, including vanessas, swallow tail butterflies, scarce swallowtails, silver-washed fritillaries and orange tips, as well as different species of dragonflies near the water. The park is located near the CAI path that connects the ancient Parish Church Mucciatella (Puianello) with the castle of Canossa, along the ridge, from where one can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and the Po Valley.<\/p>\n<\/div>Farming<\/h1>\n<\/div>
The ecosystem: habitat, flora and fauna<\/h1>\n<\/div>
\nTowards sunset, one can see deer in the fields, squirrels in the woods, and, if one pays close attention, along the paths one can find traces of species including foxes, badgers, boars and wolves, which have been spotted in the hills of the area for several years.<\/p>\n