Podere 101, Design With Nature

Podere 101 is a young project founded in 2020 by siblings Tommaso and Caterina Lenzi, aged 20 and 24 years old respectively, in the Bolognese countryside. The project was born from the desire to do something concrete to fight climate change, placing sustainability and respect for nature at the center of every action. The drought in Italy this past summer is one of the main consequences of this change; to give an example, in 2022 in Emilia-Romagna agricultural production declined by 10% (source: Coldiretti). The production system is becoming increasingly fragile and unsustainable. Furthermore, the lack of resources and ongoing conflicts show us that we can no longer rely only on technology, on fertilizers, on this current model of agriculture. Here comes Podere 101. Their initiatives are based on observing and studying what happens in the most resilient and fertile ecosystems: biodiversity.

In practical terms, in addition to the breeding bees and chickens and mantaining a vegetable and fruit garden, Podere 101 is working on agroforestry, which began in January 2022. The operation is called the Biodiversity Project and involves planting rows of trees and hedges along the boundaries of the fields. Combined with pasture rotation, this helps transform the Podere countryside into a resilient and welcoming environment for insects, small mammals, and birds.

It’s not just about planting trees but also about selecting the right species, maintaining them properly, and ensuring their growth. In this specific case Tommaso, who takes care of the landscape design, has designated 5-meter-wide bands where lateral rows of shrubs protect the central vein, made up of trees. The species were selected based on various factors including sunlight exposure, soil composition, and climate. The benefits of this intiative are many, especially in regions dominated by intensive monocultures:

increased biodiversity
greater CO2 storage
new plant species attract different pollinators by providing nectar and pollen
natural windbreak barriers, essential for protecting wheat crops, especially during extreme weather events
Improved water absorption, leading to soil that is less prone to drought
Enhanced soil biodiversity, fostering a rich ecosystem of fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms that support environmental health and soil fertility

The Biodiversity Project is a forward-thinking initiative that demonstrates the courage of these young individuals in seeking sustainable solutions to modern challenges, learning directly from nature.

But Podere 101's mission doesn’t stop here. All their projects are shared, explained, and communicated via their social media – a task overseen by Caterina. On Youtube, you can find several tutorials that explain, for example, how to create a vertical vegetable garden, an insect house, a mobile chicken coop. Tommaso and Caterina invite us to be part of their sustainable lifestyle, fostering a love for nature and raising awareness.

In addition to selling honey, “colorful” eggs, and farm-fresh products, Podere 101 offers a tree-adopting program, allowing supporters to adopt one or three trees, depending on their donation. This provides a way to contribute to the project from afar. Podere 101 is not just an example of good practices but a vital presence in the protection of local ecosystems.

If you want to know more, visit the website and follow Podere 101 on: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - Youtube