Who we are
I have asked myself “ Is still possible to connect tradition, culture and genuine taste at the beginning of the third millenium?”. With this premise, my journey into biodynamic agriculture began. After successfully completing my study in accounting and later in environmental architecture, I held various jobs in academia, to then devote myself to the noble local agricultural tradition. At the beginning, almost for fun, I began to supply fruit and vegetables grown in my field in Corbetta to the B&B 'Le Petit Fleur', a family business operating since 2005 in Sedriano, in the province of Milan. Over time I became passionate about farming, enjoying the hardships and joys deriving from it. By discussing about this growing passion with my family and in particular with my father Pietro, I decided to transform this call into a commercial activity. That was the starting point for where, at the beginning of 2009, the Alberto Cassani farm "La Natura in Casa" was born.
Immediately, I decided to bet on biodynamic agriculture, as its way to interpret farming is based on the high quality of the methods and products used. Indeed, this plantation process allows to obtain healthy, genuine and superior quality vegetables and fruits. All this, is made possible by an aware use of the land based on the respect of crop rotation and the elimination of chemical substances in favor of entirely natural products. In this context, eco-friendly biodynamic preparations originate from elements of vegetable, mineral and animal origin, opportunely combined in harmony with the seasons and the cycle of nature. By respecting the accurate rhythms and needs of the Earth, we recall the concept of 'products seasonality’, nowdays costantly set aside to make room to intensive agriculture; a season for each vegetable and fruit, which can, in this way, grow in the proper climatic and environmental conditions, without detrimental forcing or stress.
Last but not least, the respect for the environment through the abolishment of pesticides, herbicides and eccessive fertilizers, which pollute, consume resources and ultimately degrade the quality of the final product.
A few years later, the business expanded with the production of vegetable-based preserves and artisanal pasta prepared using legume flour.
Years of sweat and toils placed in this activity, made me able to supply several customers in Milan, from small shops to organized Solidarity Purchase Groups (GAS) in the area. GAS, in particular, are groups of people who come together to buy food or commonly used products of organic or eco-compatible origin, respectful of the environment and the labourers. By interacting directly with the producers, this type of purchasing avoid intermediaries and moves alongside the principles of 'short chain and km 0', thus helping and supporting small local manufacturers in their business. In addition, I also managed to open a shop in my city, where I can sell our high quality products, and those from other small producers our partners, directly to the customers. A few years later, the business expanded with the production of vegetable-based preserves and artisanal pasta prepared using legume flour.
Years of sweat and toils placed in this activity, made me able to supply several customers in Milan, from small shops to organized Solidarity Purchase Groups (GAS) in the area. GAS, in particular, are groups of people who come together to buy food or commonly used products of organic or eco-compatible origin, respectful of the environment and the labourers. By interacting directly with the producers, this type of purchasing avoid intermediaries and moves alongside the principles of 'short chain and km 0', thus helping and supporting small local manufacturers in their business. In addition, I also managed to open a shop in my city, where I can sell our high quality products, and those from other small producers our partners, directly to the customers. The success got thanks to this business, led me together with my wife Federica, our 2 little daughters Alice and Matilde and our faithful mate on all fours Napoleone, a wonderful Terranova, to fulfill our dream: the ownership of an old farmhouse in the Alta Langa (an area we are in love during some pleasure visits) to establish our agritourism experience. A place to live in the most pure nature, a place where to find peace, relax, a healthy life style, and a safe environment where to raise our daughters. Our agritourism idea deals with the farming of aromatic herbs to be used for different purposes; some accommodation units renovated from the historical farmstead complex, composed of 2 large bedrooms and 1 cozy apartment; 2 safari lodge tents surrounded by woods, where to embrace nature with all the comforts and services of a deluxe hotel room. A 50 m2 breakfast room and restaurant allows our guests to taste the exquisite culinary delicacies of Piemonte and Alta Langa. A warm place where to fully enjoy local dishes that have nothing to envy to those of any other Italian cuisine! Our aim is to create an oasis of peace and relax where our guests can spend their long-term holidays, or even just a few days, in contact with nature and in complete quietness. To complete the offer, our guests can fully exploit an outdoor swimming pool and an outdoor area equipped with sunbeds, shades and benches, where to enjoy the serenity of our land and wood, and dive into the environmental context for spend moments of real peace and quiet, perhaps using the help of a good book. For the future, we plan to include in the offer to our guests a wellness facility with sauna and massage parlor, offering relaxing treatments to make their stay even more unique.
