18,000 plants among trees, shrubs and medicinal essences. 13 hectares of forest, including as many as 3 of poplar groves. And up to 220,000 kg of CO2 absorbed each year, to offset the total emissions of four milling plants. These are the exciting numbers of Bosco del Molino, the green lung that is growing in Collecchio next to the headquarters of Agugiaro & Figna Molini, a historic company in the Parma region partner of Filiera Agricola Italiana. Today, November 21, marks two years since his inauguration, which took place on the occasion of the 9th National Tree Day. We felt it was the right day to tell you about this visionary project and celebrate its many positive implications in terms of environmental, social and cultural sustainability.
Photo: Agugiaro & Figna
The Wood of the Mill
The project stems from the desire to give back to the territory and future generations the best possible living conditions, and is the result of the virtuous way of doing business carried out by Agugiaro & Figna Molini, which combines eco-sustainability, ethics and culture. Created In collaboration with the National Interuniversity Consortium for Environmental Sciences (CINSA)., the Molino Forest is the largest lowland forest ecosystem created by private initiative in Italy. It represents an important environmental upgrading intervention, as it stands on an agricultural area previously planted with wheat, and Reproduces 96% of the biodiversity of the Taro Forest, a protected area of great importance to the area. It was created not only to offset CO2 emitted by the company’s plants in Collecchio, Curtarolo, Magione and Rivolta d’Adda, but also to house research, training and cultural projects organized by Agugiaro & Figna Molini for academic institutions, customers, suppliers and employees.
The Wood of the Mill Has been designed using ground investigation techniques born in the United States and relatively new to italy. The goal was to achieve the most scientific and detailed knowledge of the soil, so as to choose the most suitable plants, improve soil fertility and, together, protect the environment. Agugiaro & Figna Molini gathered a group of enlightened experts, who employed Precision agriculture strategies and innovative technologies to bring to life a forest ecosystem that respects nature and supports local biodiversity. For example, through calculating the right spacing between plants, or the use of environmentally sustainable materials in the construction of shrub protection structures and so-called “mulching,” which is the operation of covering the soil with a layer of material aimed at preventing the growth of weeds.
Photo: Agugiaro & Figna
Next to the Molino Woods was born the eponymous Service Center (CeSBoM), which, making use of a scientific network of excellence, is dedicated to Promote the establishment of other ex novo forest ecosystems and forestation projects on agricultural land and marginal land. Currently, the CeSBoM offers consultations and organizes research programs national and international, which focus on developing best practices for sustainability, mitigating environmental impacts and combating climate change.
But the virtues of the project do not end there: because the Molino Forest. also constitutes a place for Agugiaro & Figna Molini employees to share, who now have an open-air space where they can spend their free time and attend training initiatives, and for schoolchildren in Emilia-Romagna., who attend it to experience opportunities to meet and discuss issues concerning environmental education.
Photo: Agugiaro & Figna
Sustainability for Agugiaro & Figna
The Wood of the Mill is the culmination of the long path to sustainability of Agugiaro & Figna Molini, a milling company driven by a passion for the land passed down through generations and guided by a deep respect for nature, people, territory and community. In fact, the company Allocates 1% of sales to planting new trees, uses product carbon footprint calculation To measure its own environmental impact, has been employing renewable energy sources for years, has long adopted ethical certifications for employees, and collaborates on sustainability training projects With Slow Food. Also with Filiera Agricola Italiana, fully realizing the values of Signed By Italian Farmers. The guarantee seal Signed By Italian Farmers, in fact, supports and validates the ethical production management of the various farms with an agricultural matrix, which respect the environment and the vocation of the land, value agricultural work and the traceability of products to the field. Agugiaro & Figna Molini also collaborates with Filiera Agricola Italiana, fully realizing the values of Signed By Italian Farmers. The seal of guarantee, in fact, supports and validates Italian agribusinesses that have ethical production management, that is, that are committed to respecting the environment and the vocation of the land, to valuing agricultural labor and to ensuring the traceability of products to the field.
