Agricultural learning centers and children's agricultural learning centers around Lecce
Exploring Educational Farms in Southern Italy's Lecce Area
For families seeking a blend of learning, cultural immersion, and fun in the beautiful Lecce region of southern Italy, a visit to its educational farms offers an unforgettable experience.
1. Masseria Capasa in Martano
At Masseria Capasa, children can embark on a journey from farm to table, learning about the process on its 20 hectares of pastures and olive groves. The farm sets up nature-themed treasure hunts and outdoor games related to agriculture, and offers summer and winter camps.
2. Piccapane in Cutrofiano
Piccapane, a certified biological farm and eco-tourism hub, focuses on sustainability and children's education. Activities include exploring a synergistic garden, growing vegetables from seeds, composting, natural dyeing, and cooking workshops.
3. La Lattoria in Lecce
La Lattoria, an educational arm of Caseificio Fratelli Melcarne, showcases modern dairy production with a robotic milking system. Children can visit barns, meet calves and dairy cows, and learn about milk pasteurization and transformation into yogurt and cheese.
4. Boccarello in Salento
Boccarello provides a guided journey into Salento's olive oil heritage, exploring olive groves, learning about modern and ancient pressing methods, and visiting a subterranean mill.
5. La Fattoria di Nonno Pippi in Ugento
La Fattoria di Nonno Pippi is an educational farm known for its variety of animals and warm hospitality. It offers an agri-aperitivo event, a three-hour experience that includes a guided tour, animal interaction, and a tasting of local products.
6. Agricole Valiani
Agricole Valiani offers a tour of olive oil production, including the life cycle of olive trees, traditional harvesting techniques, and the transformation of olives into extra virgin olive oil.
7. Masseria Sant'Angelo in Corigliano d'Otranto
Masseria Sant'Angelo offers guided introductions to its animals, nature walks, gardening activities, and practical food education.
8. The Children's Museum of Lecce
The Children's Museum of Lecce promotes activities for children to connect with nature, food, and culture.
These farms and experiences provide a multisensory and interactive learning environment, making them ideal for children learning about food origins.
In addition to these educational farms, families can also participate in cooking classes, where they can learn to make authentic Italian dishes, and the Puglia Mozzarella Experience, a hands-on workshop for learning about mozzarella production and enjoying farm-fresh tastings. These options offer a mix of educational activities, cultural immersion, and family-friendly experiences in the Lecce area.
At The Children's Museum of Lecce, children can further deepen their understanding of food origins and cultural immersion through interactive exhibits.
While exploring the home-and-garden section of Piccapane, families can engage in activities such as natural dyeing and growing vegetables from seeds, aligning with the lifestyle of sustainability.
Furthermore, travel abroad can include education-and-self-development for families, as seen in the hands-on learning experiences offered at farms like Masseria Capasa and La Fattoria di Nonno Pippi in southern Italy's Lecce area.
