Manifesto of the sustainable farm

At Il Cerreto we have chosen to be organic and sustainable out of respect for nature and those who live in it. From the activities of the organic farm to those related to agriturismo hospitality and the restaurant, everything takes place following a green philosophy that aims to maintain a balance with the environment, minimising the impact of our actions on it. Our manifesto of the sustainable farm reflects our commitment in this regard.

Room for sustainable cultivation

Ours is an organic and biodynamic farm, i.e. based on a cultivation methodology that does not use chemical fertilisers, herbicides or insecticides, using only natural substances. The soil is fertilised with organic material and, when necessary, crop protection is carried out exclusively with plant, animal or mineral substances, such as plant extracts, beneficial insects that prey on parasites, rock flour.

We also cultivate biodiversity, recovering ancient varieties that adapt well to the microclimate of the territory and which, due to their greater resistance, require fewer treatments. We do not over-exploit the soil and water and we respect the processes and times of nature. The result is high-quality organic and biodynamic products that retain all their nutritional principles. We are certified ICEA for organic agriculture and Demeter for biodynamic products.

A sustainable holiday is possible

The organic agriturismo Il Cerreto is part of the Biohotels network, carefully evaluated and certified accommodation facilities that meet the typical values of organic and therefore ensure guests a truly sustainable holiday.

The accommodation has been renovated according to green building criteria, as have the bioshop and the course room. Guests who choose to stay in our rooms or apartments find on arrival eco-friendly furnishings, with natural paints; the mattresses are organic and hand-sewn, as are our pillows: you can also choose which to sleep on from those filled with natural latex, millet or spelt seed husks. The courtesy line is guaranteed by Cosmos Organic and includes exclusively organic cosmetic products, toilet paper is made from recycled paper and soap dispensers discourage the use of single-use packaging, limiting plastic consumption. All our organic products then go from field to table at our 100% organic restaurant, where at breakfast, lunch and dinner guests can try the dishes prepared by our cooks.

The activities linked to the organic restaurant also embrace the sustainable philosophy that distinguishes us:

• for our recipes we respect the seasonality of products, choosing the ingredients that our fields offer us month by month
• we work to combat food waste, the food in our kitchens is sold loose and customers who wish can take leftovers home with practical doggy bags
• when we put food on the table that we do not produce directly, we always choose strictly organic and as much as possible zero-kilometre

Fewer wastes in every activity

Visitors can see for themselves the attention we pay to containing the amount of waste produced and avoiding excessive use of plastic. At the bioshop, for example, we provide purified water to fill your reusable bottles and in every environment, including the restaurant, we prefer the use of glass. We also promote separate waste collection at all levels, from guest rooms to offices, where we optimise digital archiving processes. We also ensure proper disposal of particularly polluting waste such as toner, oil and used batteries.

Reduced emissions and energy saving

With a view to containing energy consumption for our activities we implement some measures that, when possible, our welcome guests also endeavour to follow.

• The energy we use comes largely from our solar panels, which allow us to be 60% self-sufficient, while the rest is purchased from a supplier that offers us the possibility to choose energy exclusively from renewable sources.
• We are committed to saving water by collecting rainwater to irrigate the vegetable gardens and fields; the taps, including in the rooms, are fitted with flow reducers to limit water waste.
• The apartments are not air-conditioned: the thick walls of the ancient structure give us a naturally cool and pleasant environment in summer. Common areas are lit by timed lights.
• Among the goals of our sustainable farm is also that of containing CO2 emissions, so we have installed a reverse-flame wood boiler, equipped with a special probe that can control carbon dioxide emissions into the environment. Our ecological footprint is measured by the German certifying body Fokus Zukunft GMBH & CO. KG.

Attention to the development of the territory and people

The Il Cerreto bio agriturismo is a biodynamic oasis where plants, animals and people are interconnected to always remain in harmony. Environmental sustainability cannot therefore exist without social sustainability.

• We take care of the territory that hosts us, we preserve it and contribute to its development and promotion, also with initiatives open to the public and participation in fairs.
• We choose suppliers as close as possible for supplies, with the aim of supporting local businesses while limiting emissions from the transport of goods.
• Our staff are involved with the intention of making them part of our philosophy of life. When possible we organise team building activities that improve cohesion and help to work as a team towards a common goal.
• We care about a sincere social commitment to local associations that deal with important issues.