Educational Farms in Italy

Info and Description

Farm holidays with educational farms in Italy: activities, benefits, and how to choose.

An educational farm is a licensed agricultural business that combines production with structured educational programs for children, families, and school groups. These activities allow participants to directly observe and participate in nature's cycles, animal care, food production, and traditional agricultural practices.

(Source: Law 20 February 2006 n. 96, Agritourism Regulations )

Farm holidays with educational farms in Italy are characterised by:

• educational activities in direct contact with animals, vegetable gardens and cultivated fields
• structured programs for schools
• mainly female and younger than average management

Costs and seasonality:

• Family activities: starting from €25 per person
• Full experience with lunch: starting from €50 per person
• peak seasons: Spring and Autumn

The educational farm sector in Italy (H2)

According to ISTAT 2024 data, 2,340 agritourism businesses in Italy are authorized to offer educational farm services, representing 8.9% of all agritourism businesses and 17.6% of those offering complementary services. Compared to 2023, this number has increased by 12.2%, the highest growth rate among all types of additional services offered by Italian agritourism businesses. In long-term comparison, the growth is even more significant: compared to 2010, the number of agritourism businesses offering educational farms has increased by 220%.

(Sources: ISTAT )

Who manages the educational farms?

Educational farms exhibit some distinctive characteristics compared to the agritourism sector average. Approximately 39% of agritourism businesses with educational farms are run by women, approximately 5% more than the overall number of agritourism operators. The average age of managers is 54, compared to the industry average of 56, with a further reduction to 53 among female-run businesses. These factors tend to be reflected in a greater focus on the quality of hospitality and the structuring of educational experiences.

(Sources: ISTAT )

Market data and trends (Agriturismo.net)

Analyzing the offer of agritourism with educational farms:

• 36.4% of facilities with animals have a certified educational farm
• 2 out of 3 educational farms (60%) have a play area for children
• Tuscany is the region with the highest number of agritourisms with educational farms (40%)
• 40% of educational farms have a riding stable
• 68% of the facilities with an educational farm offer catering services

(Sources: elaborations on Agriturismo.net data )

How to choose a farm with an educational farm for families with children

1. Check the recommended minimum age: some facilities are more suitable for children aged 3 and up, others favour groups aged 6 and up.
2. Check the duration of the activities: visits vary from half a day to multi-day stays
3. Ask what animals are present: for children with specific fears or allergies it is useful to know this beforehand.
4. Find out if there is catering: many establishments offer lunches with their own products
5. Check the seasonality of the activities: some experiences only take place in certain periods
6. Consider staying overnight: living the experience over several days allows for greater immersion in the rhythms of the farm.

How to choose a farm with an educational farm for schools and teachers

1. Check if the facility has certified educational programs: some educational farms are accredited by the Regions
2. Ask for the recommended school age range: not all facilities are equipped for all age groups.
3. Check the maximum capacity: educational farms often have a limited capacity to ensure a quality experience.
4. Consider the logistics: how far is it from the school? Is it accessible by school bus? Does it have covered spaces in case of bad weather?
5. Check costs and benefits: some municipalities and regions partially finance educational trips to accredited farms.

Contact us: Have questions? Before booking, write to us or contact the property directly. We'll help you find the right solution.

FAQ

What is an educational farm on a farm?

It is a licensed farm that offers structured educational programs that focus on nature, animals, and food production.

What activities take place on a farm with an educational farm?

The activities are organized into three main categories: experiences in contact with animals (milking, feeding, egg collection), food production workshops (cheese making, jams, handmade pasta) and nature and horticultural trails (sowing, seasonal harvesting).

How many educational farms are there in Italy?

There are 2,340 agritourism businesses authorized to offer educational farm services, equal to 8.9% of the total agritourism businesses.

(Sources: ISTAT )

How much does a visit to an educational farm cost?

Prices vary based on the structure, duration, and type of activity. A half-day visit for a school class generally ranges between €5 and €15 per child. For families, experiences with a workshop and lunch can range between €25 and €40 per person.

When is the best time to visit an educational farm?

There's no "wrong" time: only what's available changes. Spring is ideal for witnessing lamb birth and observing the sowing. Summer allows for the harvest of fruit and vegetables. Autumn is the time for the grape and olive harvest. Winter offers experiences related to the production of aged cheeses and the life of the animals in the stables.

Are educational farms suitable for very young children?

Many facilities welcome children aged 3 and up, offering age-appropriate activities. For the littlest ones, the most effective experiences are sensory ones: touching animals, collecting eggs, kneading bread.

Are educational farms suitable for all ages?

Many activities are designed for children, but there are also experiences suitable for adults and groups.

Are educational farms officially accredited?

Accreditation depends on regional regulations. Many Italian regions, including Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Veneto, have established official registers of educational farms with minimum requirements for quality, safety, and operator competence .

Is it necessary to book in advance?

Yes, especially for school groups and during peak periods (spring and fall). Reservations are still recommended for families, even just to check availability on the chosen day.

Are animals always present on the educational farm?

In most cases, yes, but it varies depending on the type of farm.

Sources

Law 20 February 2006 n. 96

Agritourism businesses in Italy 2024 - ISTAT

Our offer also includes a selection of Educational Farms : all the authenticity of country life is available for young visitors to experience, who can meet and feed all the farm animals while having fun surrounded by greenery.

The Educational Farm , increasingly popular with families with children , is an agritourism business that stands out for its educational activities led by specialized staff , aimed primarily at children and young people. The Educational Farm designation is granted by regional governments based on compliance with certain parameters defined by the "Quality Charter."

The first Educational Farms developed in Scandinavian countries to introduce city dwellers to country life. From there, this type of agritourism spread to Mediterranean countries and arrived in Italy in the early 1970s.

Farmhouse Activities at an Educational Farm: Activities for Everyone

Educational Farms are children's farms that organize activities aimed primarily at children and teenagers, led by qualified staff . Apron tight around the waist and a great desire to mess around in the kitchen: your children will be involved in typical agricultural activities, such as harvesting fruit and vegetables, processing raw materials, making authentic local products, and caring for animals. This will raise their awareness of environmental heritage and the rural world, develop respect for the environment and animals , and teach them about critical consumption by instilling in them the concepts of seasonality and typicality.

But there's no shortage of opportunities for the whole family to connect with the world of agriculture, turning a holiday with children on an educational farm into an educational experience for the whole family. Parents can relax or join in activities with their children, while children can run around and have fun in the large green spaces , spending a few days immersed in nature on a real educational farm .

If you want to help your children discover or rediscover simple, genuine pleasures—breathe fresh air, eat healthy food, and run around in the countryside—and engage them in new ways, check out our Educational Farms in Italy.