Through the generous support of our members and donors, we are able to provide memorable programming and educational opportunities on-site for visitors of all ages.
We’ve worked hard to conserve our historic 1,100-acre estate and the integrity of our rustic, yet comfortable accommodations. Spannocchia preserves an ancient form of life in Tuscany that is based on community, respect for tradition and a responsible use of resources.
We seek to serve as an international model for sustainability and for more than twenty years, have hosted interns from around the world to learn about agriculture, responsible tourism and the importance of preserving the cultural traditions of Tuscany. Our educational programs and the preservation of our historic property and nature preserve are possible through the efforts of our American based non-profit, Friends of Spannocchia.
Agriculture and tourism are only part of what we do at Spannocchia. Our primary mission is for the estate to serve as an international model and education center for sustainable practices. Through membership donations, we are able to create a place for people to experience the authentic history of rural Tuscany as well as modern sustainable farming practices at work.
Internship
Spannocchia has offered a unique farm internship program for more than 25 years! Three sessions are offered per year (spring, summer, and fall). Eight interns per session work alongside our Italian farm staff to help run our diversified organic farm and agritourism in rural Tuscany.
Our farm internship program is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people by providing them with a unique, educational experience on a community-oriented organic farm in Tuscany, Italy. Participants learn about Italian language, local cultural history, conservation, maintenance and restoration, animal care and organic farming.
Interns acquire knowledge and practical skills through the involvement with daily operations of Spannocchia. The farm internship program is based on a 45-50 hour week. Approximately 35+ hours are devoted to farm/maintenance work and 10-15 hours are devoted to the educational component of the program. Interns rotate helping with dinner service and weekend duties.
What's Included
Interns will spend a portion of the workweek participating in various planned educational activities. These activities are interspersed throughout the week and include educational presentations such wine tastings, olive harvesting and salumi production as well as field trips to local areas of interests.
Trips may include a visit to nearby Siena to experience the famous Palio or a visit to a local cheese farm to test their nuovo pecorino. Site visits to neighboring organic production facilities, farms and vineyards are carefully selected to provide Interns with the opportunity to learn about traditional Tuscan values of food production as well as new techniques utilized to help protect and conserve land in the area.
Italian classes are held twice a week for a total of two and a half hours weekly. The classes are geared mostly toward beginning conversation/grammar and enable interns to communicate in Italian more effectively both at work and while traveling.
All meals are provided Monday through Friday, and most Sunday dinners as well. Our interns eat dinner in the main dining room of the Villa, along with various community members and guests. Meals encompass the farm-to-table experience as vegetables harvested in the garden are generally served that evening for dinner. Wednesday evenings are particularly special at Spannocchia with pizza night from our outdoor fire brick oven or nostra cena, a traditional meal focused on a seasonal product.
