Cascina Ronco Fanti

Cascina Ronco Fanti is a farmstead and a teaching farm near the small town of Voltaggio, located in the the mountains (Appennino Ligure) between the regions of Liguria and Piedmont, and in the proximity of the Capanne di Marcarolo Natural Park.

The farmstead, with its teaching farm and cottage, is open year-round, whether for short or long stays, to those who want to enjoy a unique rural experience. At the farm, we offer hands-on learning activities which are open to small groups and to schools. During the summer, we also organize one week-long camps for children and youth.

Guests who come here enjoy the countryside life and take part in conducting with us seasonal farming activities, such as caring for the vegetable garden, wood cutting, or, during the summer, partake in the haymaking. Guests also take part in the activities of the multifunctional laboratory, where we make goat cheese, and, at times, honey. Further, year-round, guests have the opportunity to observe the farm animals in their natural setting, observe their habits and learn about their care and the diversified use of their products.

Gianfranco e Laura

The farmstead offers a wide range of individualized hands-on learning activities about forestry and farming, such as woodsmanship, haymaking, and raising livestock. Through our learning activities guests experience farm style living at its best. By the end of the day we are all tired, have dirty hands and muddy shoes, but we are also inebriated by the smells of the grass and the flowers, and by the powerful taste of our fresh produces. Our learning activities are open to families, schools, and small groups, and can be customized according to preferences and needs. Also, learning activities will vary depending on the weather and the time of the year. Though customized, generally activities revolve around one or more of the three main topics described below.

The secret of the woods: through a walk in the woods surrounding the farmstead, we will learn about the skills of woodsmanship, such as identifying trees, determining their age, and the importance and essence of forest management. We will also learn about sustainable harvesting, logging, and how to prepare wood for use as firewood or timber. While on our walks, we will choose a piece of wood to take with us to the laboratory and transform it in small objects, so to appreciate and understand where wooden objects come from.

The art of haymaking: we will learn about the process of turning grass into year-round fodder for the farm animals. If it is the right time of the year (May/June), we will learn and work on the various activities involved in haymaking, including the tools and the equipments used in this processes. Hands-on activities that guests can partake in include mowing the hey, raking it, bailing it, and carrying it to the barn for storage. Haymaking is a serious job which can also turn into a fun game!

Livestock farming: we will learn about our farm animals, which include horses, pigs, mountain goats, ducks, and chickens. We will observe the farm animals’ behaviors, habits, and learn about the diversified uses of their products. We will feed the goats, milk them and make our very own goat cheese. We will feed the chickens and learn how to collect, clean, and store their eggs. We will learn how to care for the horses, including feeding, grooming and saddling them. The most daring of us might even go for a ride! The

In addition to the main house, the farmstead offers a separate cottage to visitors who want to enjoy short or long stays. The cottage, recently renovated, is a two-story house, with living room and kitchen downstairs, and two bedrooms and a full bathroom upstairs. Guests have also access to the ample courtyard and, in the summer, enjoy the swimming pool.

There are a number of recreational activities that guests can access in the surrounding area, including:

Serravalle Outlet e Retail Park
Mushroom picking in the surroundings woods
Fishing and hunting in designated areas/reservations
Hiking in the Capanne di Marcarolo Natural Park
Golfing
Wine tasting
Road biking and mountain biking trails

During the summer, the farmstead offers the opportunity to spend a unique holiday on its premises. Guests can stay in the cottage or camp in the surrounding fields and spend one or more week at the farmstead, immerse in nature, enjoying swimming in the pool or river, doing sports, and taking part in the farm life. This type of vacation offers a unique opportunity to explore nature, to take a break from cell phones, computers, and video games, and learning independence skills, under the guidance and supervisions of trained adults.

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Come raggiungerci

da Genova, uscita casello autostradale di Busalla, proseguire direz. Borgo Fornari – Passo della Castagnola –Voltaggio.
Da Alessandria direzione Novi Ligure, giunti a Gavi proseguire sulla S.P. direzione Voltaggio.
Da Milano autostrada A7 direzione Genova uscita Serravalle Scrivia, proseguire per Gavi – Voltaggio.
Giunti di fronte al paese di Voltaggio dalla strada provinciale principale ci si immette nella laterale Valle Barca e dopo aver percorso 1,5 km deviare a sinistra su strada bianca, percorrerla fino in fondo per circa 1 Km.

Indirizzo

Azienda Agricola Cascina Ronco Fanti
di Gianfranco Portelli
15060 Voltaggio (AL)
P.I. 02273040069
info@cascinaroncofanti.it

Tel. 010.960.1486
Cell. 335.640.1894
Cell. 335.815.0068

Guarda la mappa

The Teaching Farm:a day at the farmstead

The secret of the woods

The art of haymaking

Livestock farming

The Cottage

The Surrounding

Summer Camps

Galleria

Contacts

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