Organic farming in the natural parks of Tuscany

This paper explain why and how to develop organic agriculture in Protected Areas of Tuscany. Although it could seem obvious, there are many obstacles that need to be removed in order that the rural territory rich of natural and human activities can be protected, conserve and valorised by the development of organic agriculture. A pilot project, coordinated by the Tuscan Association of Organic Producers and financed by ARSIA, provided to the rural farmers of Protected Areas information, exchange of knowledge, economic opportunity and to consumers and Park visitors promotion of farms activities and of organic products of this areas. The project was carried out in two steps: 1997/2001 and 2004/2008. In 1997/2001 involved the 3 Parks of ‘Alpi Apuane’, ‘Maremma’, and ‘Migliarino, San Rossore, and Massaciuccoli’. In 2004/2008 The objective of the project was to convert into organic agriculture farms inside 11 areas of Tuscany and to support those who already adopted this method.