"Festa del BIO and MontagnaMadre” FederBio and Slow Food Italia: the sustainable future of mountain territories passes through agroecology

There will also be the Bio Village and the Earth Market with 30 producers, including many Slow Food Presidia. Hosted by Patrizio Roversi and Tessa Gelisio.

Italy is a country surrounded by the sea but made up of over 70% hills and mountains. Far from being marginal, the internal and mountainous areas represent the future towards which we should direct our gaze. However, the approach with which we think about the development of these territories is fundamental, starting from food, organic agriculture and pastoralism, as decisive levers for the affirmation of the agroecological model, the only one capable of protecting its essence and enhancing its environmental, landscape, cultural and tourist heritage.

This is the theme at the center of the “ Festa del BIO and MontagnaMadre” which, strengthening the close synergy between FederBio and Slow Food Italia , returns to Rome on March 29 and 30, 2025 with a free-entry event (from 10 am to 6 pm) set up along the avenues of the Botanical Garden and a rich program of talks, show cooking, workshops, tastings and the possibility of purchasing directly from the mountain producers of the Slow Food Earth Markets from various regions of Italy.

At the heart of the program is the crucial role of agroecology in supporting the development of rural and mountain areas, where it contributes to counteracting the abandonment of these lands rich in biodiversity, culture and traditions, creating concrete employment opportunities especially for young generations and women.

The internal areas currently cover over 50% of the agricultural surface , with a strong organic vocation, and host 46% of Italian agri-food companies, with a significant presence of companies managed by young people (9.2%) and women (25%). They are important territories because they host approximately 70% of the country's forest heritage , essential for preventing hydrogeological instability. This is why national strategies and policies have been developed to support economic, social and environmental development for these more fragile and at the same time richer in potential territories. Furthermore, the activities of the FAO Mountain Partnership division are integrated, the international voluntary alliance committed to improving the living conditions of the populations who have chosen the mountains and to protecting mountain environments throughout the world, raising public awareness of the challenges and opportunities of these territories.

Organized by FederBio and Slow Food Italia, with the contribution of the FAO Mountain Partnership division and the Botanical Garden-La Sapienza , “Festa del BIO e Montagna Madre” in addition to raising awareness of the importance of organic farming as a model of healthy and sustainable production, at the basis of the inclusive development of internal areas, respecting the typical excellences and beauty that characterize mountain landscapes, aims to consolidate the bond between farmers and citizens, broadening awareness of the importance of adopting sustainable eating styles that protect both health and biodiversity and natural ecosystems. The event also helps support the FAO Mountain Partnership training program "GROW - Agrobiodiversity in a changing climate", focused on the importance of biodiversity in improving the resilience and adaptability of agricultural and crop systems to climate change organized in collaboration with the University La Sapienza of Rome and Alliance Bioversity and CIAT.

The central themes of the event will be illustrated during the inaugural press conference, on March 29 at 10.45. On this occasion, the stories of resilience of those who have chosen mountain agriculture will also be shared.

"The mountain plays a fundamental role in our ecosystem , but we must learn to listen to it, to understand its critical issues and needs - underlines Maria Grazia Mammuccini, President of FederBio - Organic farming represents an extraordinary development opportunity for inland communities, a driver of economic and social growth while respecting traditions and natural beauty. We have chosen to dedicate the Festa del BIO and MontagnaMadre, which strengthens the solid collaboration with Slow Food Italia, precisely to the inland and mountain areas, territories often considered marginal, but in reality custodians of an immense environmental, social and cultural heritage. Organic farming can give new impetus to local agricultural traditions, which for centuries have contributed to the life of these lands and, together with the spread of organic farming and grazing, capable of enhancing local breeds and small-scale farming, can create job opportunities, especially for young people and women, consolidating the link between territory and food in the name of sustainability. We want to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of supporting mountain areas, so that they can continue to thrive and contribute to collective well-being, through agricultural practices that respect the environment, promote the protection of the mountain landscape and, at the same time, help combat climate change. For a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous future for all”.

"Today, highlands and mountains are wrongly defined as marginal: on the contrary, projects based on the agroecological model can represent a concrete perspective of work and life in those areas, playing a central role also in the fight against the climate and environmental crisis. This is demonstrated by two examples that are very dear to us: chestnut growing and sheep farming, which perfectly represent the desirable balance between human activities and nature. Far from nostalgic or bucolic, these activities are able to look proactively to the future, contributing to repopulating mountain areas, protecting their ecosystems and landscapes in a modern way, also thanks to services for people and communities that can attract new inhabitants. Services that today are abandoned, contributing to driving away young people and families. The companies present in Rome are concrete proof that a living and sustainable mountain thanks to food is possible ", says Barbara Nappini, President of Slow Food Italy .

For two days, Slow Food Italia and Slow Food Lazio will liven up the avenues of the Botanical Garden of Rome with the stalls of 30 mountain producers from the Earth Markets of Lazio, but also from Abruzzo, Calabria, Sicily and Emilia-Romagna: small producers and food artisans who sell what they produce and transform, can guarantee and personally tell the quality of their products, including many Slow Food Presidia , plant species and animal breeds, recipes and gastronomic traditions in danger of extinction that the association protects and promotes.

The first day of the “Festa del BIO e Montagna Madre” will get into the heart of taste at 1.15 pm with the contest “BUONO! È BIO”, the challenge between the three finalist students of the ISIS G. Di Vittorio of Ladispoli who will compete to win the coveted “Mestolino BIO” and a supply of 100 kilos of organic products. This is a fun and delicious opportunity to raise awareness among future chefs about the value linked to the use of organic, traceable, eco-sustainable, healthy and good products.