Ronci Farm and Olive Oil Mill

Introduction

The Ronci Farm and Olive Oil Mill is owned by a family of farmers, who have been living in this land near Bevagna, in Umbria, since 1950s, and working for generations in the olive sector, that is strategic for this territory.

During the years new properties were bought, and new olive groves planted, today 23 ha out of 26 ha land, and built since 1981 a new modern oil mill.

Currently, together with Marcello and his wife Annarita, also their daughters Simona, with a degree in Agriculture, and Roberta, with management skills, started to work in the company.

Related modules:

Module 10

Module 3

Name of the farmer/ entrepreneur or other initiative

Ronci Farm and Olive Oil Mill

Year of establishment of the initiative

1950

Location

Via Maestà Quattro Chiavi 11, Bevagna 06031, Umbria (IT52)

Case description

Total area or number of animals

23 ha olive trees out of 26 ha total land

Main agricultural activity and Multifunctional activities

Organic olive cultivation and Extra virgin olive oil; circular economy with use of pomace for fertilization and bioenergy from biomass in cooperation with a biogas company; cosmetics from olive processing byproducts.

Critical challenges of the farm/ the region

Improving farm and olive oil mill carbon footprint

CSA Activity

Reason for engaging in CSA/ Triggering moment for implementation

CSA is part of the Ronci family philosophy, linking tradition and innovation, with a specific focus on quality, environment and landscape.

Description of the innovation

Improving high quality organic extra virgin olive oil with health claim parameters; circular economy concept based on reuse of pomace and other processing residues for organic fertilization and biomass production; valorization of olive processing byproducts for cosmetics; care of the olive tree landscape; farm beekeeping for pollination and maintenance of the natural ecosystem; online marketing and selling.

Implementation Process of the innovation & used methods of innovation management

The process of innovation management moved from the historical value of the extra virgin olive oil production improving the productive means and focusing on circular economy as a virtuous factor connected to the production growth.

Todays Results of this implementation

The multiple use of pomace and olive oil byproducts, and beekeeping as additional implementation of the overall ecosystem, are at the centre of a sound and innovative farm management connecting business and sustainability without contradictions.

SWOT of the Case today

The strong points are mainly experienced family continuity, innovative capacity building, reputation and perfect feeling with the environment and landscape; the weak points are due to the seasonal variability in production and risks due to climate change; the opportunities are consisting in a great reputation of the extra virgin olive oil of the area with increasing foreign demand, opening of new markets, not only for EVO but also new products such as cosmetics made from by-products.

Education/ Training of the decision makers/ leading persons

The two daughters who are taking over the company have skills, one in the specific sector of olive growing and olive food technologies, and the other one in management, commercialization and marketing.

Outlook/ Aims and Goals

The company outlook is constantly positive starting from a high-quality product, advanced technologies, environmental care, and excellent resilience to the climate change.

The main aims will be concentrated on circular economy for pomace and by-products, sound beekeeping connected to the main production, digitalized control for water saving and use of other resources needed.

Goals will focus on implementation of an innovative management plan conserving the great tradition of the territory and increasing the overall farm sustainability.

Lessons Learned/ Recommendations

Passion is the keyword of the family, representing the history of their farm and olive oil mill, and the integration of the new generation with the previous ones. This approach is necessarily also ecofriendly as a consequence of the organic production choice and the importance given to circular economy, wellbeing and landscape.

Result, Success & Risk Factors

Actual today’s situation

The actual situation can be further developed with good perspectives of improving the production and limiting the overall carbon footprint by combining local high-quality tradition and innovative solutions. The company success can be even more increased by further collaborations with the university and research centres aimed to reduce any remaining waste and investing in ecofriendly innovative means.

Dependence of any kind of ongoing support/ subsidy?

There is no dependance from pending supports or subsidies to be paid back, while there will be initiatives aimed to exploit research and best practice results in correspondence of funding from the regional complementary measures to the CAP Strategic National Plan.

Dependence of specific regional/ personal aspects?

The dependance of specific regional aspects are due to the olive genetic resources characterizing the traditional heritage resulting from a centuries-old tradition, also with variability in the 5 sub-areas in which the Protected Designation of Origin Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Umbria” is divided.

Also, the personal history of three generations continuously increasing the company size and competencies involved can be considered an exception.

Applicability in other regions/ other situations

The applicability of the case study to other regions/situations can be summarized as follows: strong bond between the family and the cultural and productive traditions of the territory; openness towards innovation and environmental sustainability; ability to combine production and ecosystem; availability to collaborate with the world of research and other entrepreneurial entities.

Project N. 2022-1-DE02-KA220-VET-000089615

Contact email: info@innocsa.eu

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