Oasi naturale delle pittime di Cascina Oschiena WFD water body codes: WFD (national) typology WFD water body name Pre-project morphology: Reference morphology: Desired post project morphology: Heavily modified water body: No National/international site designation: Local/regional site designations: Protected species present Yes Invasive species. The close relationship between Cascina Oschiena and Friend of the Earth is long-lasting. The different peculiarities of this excellent small family farmhouse hit the nail on the head. It is located in Crova, a small town south of Vercelli, into the hearth of that “plain of rice” between Turin and Milan which, since the end of the 15th century, has represented one of the worldwide renowned. The close relationship between Cascina Oschiena and Friend of the Earth is long-lasting. The different peculiarities of this excellent small family farmhouse hit the nail on the head. It is located in Crova, a small town south of Vercelli, into the hearth of that “plain of rice” between Turin and Milan which, since the end of the 15th. Tel.: +5166 E-mail: info@friendoftheearth.org Skype: friend.of.the.earth C.so Buenos Aires 45, 20124 Milano – Italy P.I.

Cascina Oschiena Val

Cascina Oschiena

Cascina Oschiena is a one-of-a-kind rice producer and biodiversity champion headed by Alice Cerutti in the region of Piedmont, Italy. Classic Arborio, Classic Carnaroli, and farro are just some of the ancient grains they grow on their land, 25 hectares of which have been turned into a nature preserve (where the migratory bird Blacktailed Godwit that inspired their logo can often be found). They practice the historical method of rice farming through flooding, using a gravity-based system of funneling naturally flowing water from the nearby mountains to flood their fields and replenish the groundwater. Their ancient varieties of rice are soft-milled and unaged. Cascina Oschiena is a member of the ECORice project. For Alice and Oschiena, growing rice means being a steward of the environment. Taste the difference yourself!

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Cascina Oschiena

Pasta & Grains

Sustainable rice from Cascina Oschiena natural oasis obtains Friend of the Earth certification

The close relationship between Cascina Oschiena and Friend of the Earth is long-lasting.

The different peculiarities of this excellent small family farmhouse hit the nail on the head. It is located in Crova, a small town south of Vercelli, into the hearth of that “plain of rice” between Turin and Milan which, since the end of the 15th century, has represented one of the worldwide renowned places for cultivating this precious cereal.
“What we mostly appreciate in Cascina Oschiena – Paolo Bray, Founder and Director of Friend of the Earth, stated – is its conception of environmental protection, sustainability and respect for biodiversity, basically the driving force of our work. And what attracted our attention was not only the farmhouse bold decision to use integrated pest management practices, but also the launching of a large number of collateral initiatives, which are closely linked to the core business”.

The farm is run on paddy fields, a reductive term to define what is, in fact a natural oasis composed of 115 hectares, of which 85% is used for rice, while the remaining 25 turned into permanent wetlands.

Alice Cerutti, owner of Cascina Oschiena, explained the reasons behind her decision loud and clear: “Ecosystem preservation is the key point. But it’s no longer enough. Now it’s time to give back”.

The range of Cascina Oschiena certified rice includes Carnaroli and Arborio, cultivated in the area since the Reinessance; Apollo, a spicy rice; Selenio, the “round” rice, ideal for soups and broths; Ermes Brown and Venere Brown, the red and black varieties.

Cascina Oschiena Riso

Alice Cerutti has reduced polluting emissions by dryingrice during the daytime, when the power requirements are lower, planting trees around the fields, preserving 10 km biological corridors, and rehabilitating two karst springs which meet all the farm water needs.

Cascina Oschiena Prezzi

“Environmental conservation and social accountability – explains Alice – are an essential part of food products quality. We have chosen Friend of the Earth certification because of its comprehensive approach which guarantees consumers about all these important issues”.