When the farmer is woman.
This a food story dedicated to Chiara Boschi, a graphic designer who changed her life becoming farmer.
Chiara Boschi.
Driving south from Bologna to Imola, miles of flat farmland stretch out as far as the eye can see, interrupted by a row of trees here, or a farmhouse there. When we reach the tiny village of Cantalupo, a tall sign announces that the Azienda Agricola Boschi Chiara is just ahead. Turning onto the gravel road, a large wheat field leads up to a single cream colored farmhouse and barn.
As the sign hints at, there is no large operation behind this farm. Instead, everything you see here -from the fruit trees and wheat fields to a scattering of chickens, ducks and a few barnyard cats- has been lovingly cultivated and cared for by just one woman, Chiara Boschi.
Chiara didn’t plan to be a farmer. She graduated with a degree in art and was working as a graphic designer when fate stepped in.
Chiara Boschi Farm.
Chiara had always loved the family farmhouse, which was bought by her great-grandfather before World War I. When her grandmother died, for Chiara it was a no-brainer that they would not sell the property. But who would take care of it, the family asked? Chiara spoke up: “I will.”
She knew from day one that she would go organic: for her, there was no other choice. Armed with determination and curiosity, but without any formal training in agriculture, she looked to other neighboring farmers to learn and followed the guidelines set by the Environmental and Ethical Certification Institute (ICEA) for organic farming. Upon the farm’s official launch in 1999, she was growing her first main crop, peaches, and experimenting with others. Later, her farm became part of the Slow Food network, and is fully certified by ICEA.
The produce.
Today, she produces a variety of crops over her 24 acres. In spring, it’s strawberries and basil; by July and August she will have tomatoes, zucchini and two types of peaches, and pomegranates and persimmon in the fall. In addition to these main crops, she also cultivates various frutti dimenticati (forgotten fruits such as pomegranates and persimmon, jujube and apple and pear quince), and regularly experiments with new crops.
In 2012, she decided to take her production a step further by creating a line of organic products from her hand-picked, organic fruits and vegetables. You can find her delicious strawberries and peaches in juices, jams and spreads; the collection also includes a variety of pestos and sauces, including an organic ketchup, and a green tomato jam.
Many jars and bottles.
With so much to do, especially in the spring and summer months when the harvests come in, there is little time for sales and marketing. Over time, many of her products have developed their own followings of loyal customers, especially the strawberries, peaches and tomatoes. A large quantity of this season’s passata di pomodoro has already been reserved by one customer, and her strawberries were sought out by restaurants and gelaterie throughout the province of Bologna. In addition to direct sales to local grocery stores and restaurants, she can usually be found at Imola’s Mercato della Terra, as well as at other local organic markets.
Farmer’s life.
Like many farmers, Chiara would say that the unpredictability of the weather is what makes her work most challenging. Located is in the southern part of the Emilia-Romagna region, the land here was once known as “la bassa” for its often flooded, harsh terrain. Although there is less flooding these days, the area’s hot summers and cold, damp winters are difficult enough, and every year is different from the one before.
A hail storm or a couple of days of heavy rain can destroy months of hard work in minutes. Not using pesticides and other chemical treatments make organic crops more vulnerable to insects and other risks, which means that you have to keep a constant eye on the environment as well as the crops. Located at the back of her property, the small forest with trees and hedges where the cherries and plums grow, is a critical environment for keeping this habitat in balance. The farm also has an array of herbs, fig trees and walnut trees that are typical of the local environment.
Whether she is ushering in the next season’s harvest or the latest family of ducklings, having happy customers at her door and plenty of lady bugs in her fields makes all the hard work worthwhile, Chiara says. For all of the challenges that come with running a farm, she’s never looked back.
The farmhouse is also agriturismo Podere Zampiera Vecchia with apartments that are available for short-term stays.
Contact Chiara to learn more.
Azienda Agricola Chiara Boschi
Via Rondanina 27, Imola