More than just an olive grove: a journey of healing, health and harmony among the trees of Cilento
Interview to Maria Rosaria Trama, Farmer, Colline di Zenone, Cilento, Italy, for The Conscious Food Systems Alliance
3 August 2023, Noemi Altobelli, CoFSA Community Manager
The Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA) recognizes that there is no single experience or definition of consciousness and its role in food systems transformation. Instead, CoFSA embraces a diverse range of perspectives, values, and beliefs, seeking to develop a bottom-up understanding of consciousness within food systems by listening to a variety of voices and experiences. In this blog we embark on this journey with the unique perspective from the Italian Farmer Maria Rosaria Trama combining Greek philosophy, Christian traditions, an ancient healing centre and an outdoor gym to reimagine agriculture in deep relationship with the earth.
In the heart of Magna Graecia¹ lies a farm “Colline di Zenone” (Zenone Hills) that goes beyond the conventional approach to agriculture. With a profound spiritual connection to the land and nature, this farm offers a unique source of inspiration to those seeking harmony, contemplation, and a renewed relationship with the Earth.
Meet Maria Rosaria, the passionate owner of this unique farm, as she shares her inspiring journey and the profound philosophy behind her olive grove.
Maria Rosaria’s story begins with a tragic event—the passing of her father:
“In 2006, I faced the loss of my father, and managing the land became my call. He had always been passionate about the olive grove, while I had never paid attention to it. When he died, I entrusted the management to others, resulting in a disastrous outcome. Later, together with my husband Raffaele, we decided to take over the business and embarked on a mission of producing a high-quality oil”.
¹ Magna Graecia was the name given by the Romans to the Greek-speaking coastal areas of Southern Italy
Keeping traditions alive: cultivating the historical Pisciottana olive tree
Maria Rosaria and Raffaele chose to cultivate the ancient and challenging Pisciottana olive tree – the ‘pisciottana’ is a variety of olive tree that easily exceeds 15 metres in height, and grows in steeply sloping terrain, so the difficulties of harvesting are many, among those, mechanisation is not possible. Many might opt to abandon these trees for more economically viable options, but Maria Rosaria and her family chose a different path.
In a world that often prioritizes profit over environmental stewardship, Cultivating and caring for the Pisciottana olive trees, requires a special mindset, and philosophy rooted in a healthy relationship with the earth: They saw the cultivation of these trees as a way to regulate water and prevent landslides, becoming true guardians of nature.
“Our goal was more than just cultivating olives, it was about embracing an ethical philosophy that valued nature in its organic form, but also our full spiritual connection to it”.
Embracing a Philosophy of Cultivation: intertwining Christian traditions, Greek ethos with the fertile gifts of the Earth
The Spirit of Magna Grecia: the suffering of existence
Maria Rosaria’s organic production values a healthy coexistence with nature above all else. Located in the Cilento National Park, close to the ancient city of Elea Velia in the province of Salerno, the farm is a living testament to the spirit of Magna Graecia, where ancient philosophers like Parmenides and Zenone once roamed. When you see Maria Rosaria walking around her land, you see her imagining these great thinkers stopping in the shade of ancient trees.
“Contemplation is a very important part of my life. As I walk, I come across real living monuments—olive trees with stories to tell, like the one said to have inspired Munch’s The Scream. To me, this tree embodies the suffering of existence, and recognises that the suffering is an inherent part of all lives, both nature and the human condition. I often find myself contemplating the suffering of existence, a theme deeply rooted in Magna Grecia philosophical thought, particularly that of Parmenides and Zenone”.
The Christian tradition of bread, oil and wine
In the enchanting landscapes of Cilento, we find ourselves immersed in a land with deep-rooted Christian heritage, where the Mediterranean Diet foundational elements hold profound significance. The interplay between Christianity and the land becomes evident through the triad of wheat, olive, and grape, which symbolize the core pillars of Christian sacredness and religion.
These elements are transformed into bread, oil, and wine, embodying the essence of spiritual nourishment. The act of breaking bread, an age-old Christian tradition, finds its connection to the fertile soil that yields the wheat. Likewise, the olive and its precious liquid gold that graces our tables, symbolize the anointment of the faithful, as well as the purity and light of the soul. Lastly, the grape, from which wine is produced, embodies the sacred transformation and the celebration of life.
“In this sacred land, my farm becomes not only my haven for cultivating a spiritual connection with nature but also a place where I witness the profound relationship between Christianity and the land harmoniously converging. Through the cultivation of the olive grove, the farm becomes a living testament to the intertwining of Christian traditions, Greek philosophy with the fertile gifts of the Earth, fostering a deeper appreciation for the spiritual significance of these fruits”.
Promoting a Holistic Mediterranean Culture
The healing power of the olive trees
Their passion extends beyond cultivation, as they aim to spread the culture of high-quality olive oil in Italy, celebrating the work of dedicated farmers and promoting knowledge about the essence of oil. To this end, they organise events, workshops and multi-sensory experiences, inviting guests to embrace the healing power of the olive trees and awaken humanity’s ability to connect with nature. They involve university students, igniting a passion for philosophy and contemplation of nature.
Additionally, Maria Rosaria and Raffaele have reconstructed an Asclepius, to offer wellness and holistic therapy treatments.
“The Asclepius is an ancient healing centre, which aims to revive the wisdom of the Eleatic medical school, where medicinal plants were the foundation of remedies, bringing back ancient traditions and embracing the holistic approach to wellness of the Mediterranean diet.”
Movement & Conviviality
Their farm also echoes the Mediterranean diet’s legacy, emphasizing the importance of movement and conviviality. Among the olive trees, they have built an open-air gym, encouraging guests to stay connected to their bodies and the earth. As they share meals and workshops together, they reintroduce human measures and revive the traditions that are intertwined with the region’s sacredness.
Conclusion
“Mens sana in corpore sano” (a healthy mind in a healthy body): can each culture reconnect to its own traditional wisdom to find the way to bring our relationship with food, the Earth and ourselves back into balance? The example of Maria Rosaria tells us it is possible and it can be a healing, meaningful and joyful journey.
It is also a collective journey, we have embarked on together, as a community, through our Conscious Food Systems Alliance, to find inspiration and support from each other. Together we have already started to learn how to support farmers wellbeing, cultivate conscious local communities and cultures and explore the role of traditional wisdom for regenerative food systems. We are committed to keep deepening and expanding this exploration, as well as to share practical tools and approach to grow conscious food systems in deep connection with the Earth and the legacy of those that have nurtured it.
Fostering a conscious way of living
Andrew Bovarnick, UNDP Global Head of Food Agriculture Commodity Systems, said:
“Maria Rosaria’s farm serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging us to rediscover our spiritual connection with the land and nature. Embracing the spirit of Magna Graecia, and Christian values, it offers a space for contemplation, rejuvenation, and a deeper understanding of the wisdom passed down through generations”.
Through their commitment Maria Rosaria and her family hope for a more sustainable lifestyle:
“We invite you all to experience the beauty and harmony that nature generously offers, ultimately fostering a healthier and more conscious way of living”.