Safeguarding rural cultural heritage and biodiversity at Castello di Potentino and the surrounding valley
About Us
Friends of Potentino, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 US registered public charity, established in 2022 in partnership with Potentino Società Agricola SRL.
Our Mission
Friends of Potentino provides funding to promote and safeguard rural cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation at Castello di Potentino and in the broader Seggiano Valley in Tuscany, Italy, benefitting community welfare by supporting environmental sustainability through educational programs, cultural events, media outreach, and agricultural practice.
Our Projects
From our volunteer programme to art residencies, archaeology excavations, ecology research projects, and our annual documentary film festival, each year we support and initiate projects that promote education, conservation, and artistic expression.
For businesses looking to donate, we accept donations via Benevity & The Charities Aid Foundation
Please note, as an overseas charity, we are not part of the online database- one can ask to donate via email.
Education and engagement
Friends of Potentino believes in an accessible, environmentally sustainable vision of rural life by supporting projects that connect people to nature and traditional practices around Potentino. Building on Potentino Società Agricola’s mission to make rural living more accessible and appreciable, we also fund related grant opportunities.
Volunteers
For over 20 years, Potentino Società Agricola has hosted around 6,000 volunteers, offering hands-on experience in agriculture, winemaking, and cooking. Many have pursued careers in wine, hospitality, or farming. This commitment to fostering interest in sustainable living shapes the mission and projects supported by Friends of Potentino.
Potentino Exploration Project
The Potentino Exploration Project (PXP) unites academics from SMU, Open University, Dartmouth, Bocconi, HEC Montréal, and global students to study the region’s heritage, archaeology, and biodiversity. It promotes ethical management of endangered cultural and natural heritage while respecting the local community.
Taxon Expeditions organizes citizen science trips to remote areas, guiding participants through real scientific research to discover and publish new species. In partnership with Friends of Potentino, they lead expeditions to study the valley’s fauna, compare its soil biota with conventional Tuscan vineyards, and explore the biodiversity of ancient olive trees, organic vineyards, and nature reserves.
Taxon Expeditions
‘On The Walls’ Documentary Festival
Friends of Potentino hosts an annual Documentary Film Festival with films on political and environmental issues, projected onto the castle courtyard. The event features Q&As, a live concert by a local polyphonic singing group, and participation from world-class directors and producers. It is free to attend.
Arts, Concerts, and Cultural Events
Friends of Potentino hosts cultural events that connect urban and rural cultures while supporting artists and performers from Italy and beyond. They sponsor concerts, live performances, and exhibitions at Castello di Potentino, featuring vocal groups from around the world alongside local singers from Monte Amiata. All events are free and open to the public.
Artists in Residence
Friends of Potentino hosts international artists and writers in winter and early spring, inspiring new perspectives on the valley's history and nature. Their reflective works on human interaction with place help deepen our understanding of identity and environment. We especially welcome applications from those focused on environmental themes.
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