Ariano Irpino
During the 2023-2024 school year the “Pandolea” – Donne dell’Olio association, which for some years has been carrying out projects in schools of all levels to spread the culture of quality Italian extra virgin olive oil, in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Onaoo (National Organization of Olive Oil Tasters), Cnpa (Territorial College of Agricultural Experts and Graduated Agricultural Experts of the Province of Viterbo), the National Olive and Oil Academy and the Itasf network (National Network of Agricultural Institutes without Borders) proposed a series of initiatives aimed at technical and professional agricultural institutes, theoretical and practical lessons, tastings, workshops, field visits and the competition reserved for the best oil produced by the Agricultural Institutes of Italy.
On 11 and 12 April 2024 at the Fratelli Agosti Agricultural Institute of Civita di Bagnoregio (VT) three finalist agricultural institutes, selected from 40 participating institutes, the IIS Gigante-Caramia of Alberobello and Locorotondo, the IIS Majorana of Corigliano – Rossano and the IIS Giuseppe De Gruttola of Ariano Irpino participated in the final awards ceremony.
The Arianese institute was represented by teachers Nicola Puorro and Michele Montuori and by students Pietro Lavanga and Alessio Raduazzo.
In these two days, teachers and students had important training experiences, in particular the students carried out a test of pruning the olive tree in a polyconical vase and a test of sensorial analysis of the oil.
The competition awarded first place to the institute of Corigliano – Rossano, second place to that of Alberobello – Locorotondo and third place to our institute.
De Gruttola, despite having a small olive grove at its disposal, achieved an excellent result, supporting the competition with institutions, which had structured agricultural companies at their disposal, with large olive groves and a company oil mill.
The experience was significant and important for us teachers and for our students, dealing with a territorial context in which sustainable and integrated development is evident. In fact, the Bagnoregio area tends to valorise its resources, few industries, widespread presence of pastures, hazelnut groves, some olive groves and sporadic vineyards. The economy of this small village is based on tourism; every year many tourists visit this location.
The institutions are very close to the school, the young mayor of Bagnoregio participated in the competition awards ceremony and the dinner.
The institute that hosted us, with helpful and professional staff, is led by a manager, Paola Adami, who carries out the difficult task of managing an all-encompassing institute, has repeatedly reiterated the concept of the synergy to be achieved between agriculture, territory and emergencies historical.
From a human point of view it was exciting and highly educational to see how the disabled children carried out cooking and dining activities on the Aquile Campus, where we were hosted.
“Our institute has demonstrated that it has adequate knowledge and skills to be able to compete with other institutes, which are larger and more organized and which may have agricultural companies.
It is hoped that local institutions will provide a contribution in order to create an agricultural company attached to our Institute, in order to allow our students to develop theoretical and practical skills, with a view to economic, social and environmental sustainability.”
Tags: Ariano extra virgin olive oils valorisation starts schools
