The famous “network”

Why did we meet up in Molini di Voltaggio for WWOOF Italia’s autumn gathering? Not only because for years we’ve enjoyed organizing our autumn meeting in less central locations, to be closer to the many members who find it hard to take part in our gatherings. Not only because, by moving around, we keep learning from the richness and variety of our country’s farming and nature. But also because we wanted to get to know up close a community of farmers and members we knew to be very active and engaged in weaving networks of relationships, without which many farming realities would struggle to survive. And the local meeting of the Quattro Province members, on Saturday afternoon, confirmed to us (starting with the energy and availability of Stefano Bendato) that even in remote and challenging places in the Apennines, it’s possible, through collaboration and sharing, to carry forward sustainable projects and lifestyles – good for the world and fulfilling for oneself. Of that famous “network” so close to our hearts, in Molini di Voltaggio we saw a practical example, one that can be exported to the many other inland areas where human and environmental richness are the only barrier against abandonment.

Water at the Mills

Molini di Voltaggio, by the way, is an area rich in water: the name itself says so. And this year, WWOOF decided to dedicate its focus to water. Water as an essential resource, to be defended (as they did in Val Lemme, opposing – with mixed fortunes – the opening of a quarry and, more recently, the passage of the high-speed rail line) and preserved as a common good, as Ottavio from Valli Unite told us, who as mayor of Costa Vescovato worked to keep the aqueduct under municipal ownership. Water as a source of energy, as Mario Bavastro showed us: he installed a hydroelectric turbine on the stream next to the place where we were staying (Colonia Monte Leco), making it self-sufficient in terms of energy. Water whose cycle, as university researcher Nic Pacini explained to us on Sunday morning, has been thrown off balance by centuries of deforestation at the hands of humans turned farmers: far more than the rise in CO2, this may be the real reason why it no longer rains – or rains too much.

Community Board at work

On Friday, instead, we took the time and space to talk more specifically about topics concerning the association. In the circle beneath the horse chestnut trees, the fifteen or so members of the Community Board (all present) were joined by other members interested in getting a closer look at how the association works and where our projects are headed. It was a chance to get updates from the International Federation, to discuss the renewal of board members’ and arbitrators’ terms next spring (mark the date: March 5-7 in Massa Marittima), to look ahead to the near future (what theme will guide our association over the coming year?), and to report on what’s been done so far (notably, the Mutual Aid Group made its first contributions). Anyone wanting to dive deeper into the many other topics we discussed in the Community Board (from the ongoing development of Rete Semi Rurali help desk to the idea of relaunching an internal WWOOF Italia marketplace) can take a look at the minutes.

Saturday. Two confirmations and a farewell.

Saturday opened with the coordinators’ circle in the morning: a reminder of how central the coordinator role remains to the WWOOF project. First among a coordinator’s tasks is making sure that anyone becoming a host truly understands what our association is about: this remains the best way to avoid misunderstandings and get off to a good start with the hosting experience. But the ambition is for coordination to be about more than that too, and perhaps stopping by to see how local coordinators are true soul of their territories can offer inspiration for the future.

To close things out, sounds from all over the world brought by the group Pasticcio Meticcio: ending in dance has by now become an unmissable tradition at our gatherings.

In between, a goodbye to someone who gave so much to the association and is now passing the torch to new generations. After so many years together, Eszter is saying farewell to WWOOF Italia: thank you for everything you’ve done for us as coordinator, council member, and later as part of the staff. We hope to see you again at our assemblies as a member of the association, continuing to share our journey.

We welcome Chiara and Maria Paola, confident that you’ve passed on your dedication and skill to them, and that they’ll carry your work forward with the same commitment.

See you all in March!