Festival of Agriculture and Volunteering

A festival uniting fields and community

Every spring, the centre of Portomaggiore, in the province of Ferrara, transforms into the stage for the Festival of Agriculture and Volunteering, an event that for over ten years has showcased the rural and solidarity-driven soul of the Bassa ferrarese. The heart of the events is Piazza Umberto I, but the atmosphere spreads throughout the town centre for three days in May, usually around the second weekend of the month.

The idea is simple and generous: bring together those who cultivate the land and those who donate their time to others. On one side, local farmers, businesses, and trade organizations like Confagricoltura, CIA, and Coldiretti; on the other, about twenty volunteer associations that, under the coordination of CSV Terre Estensi, present their activities and seek new volunteers.

Flavours and local products

Taste is one of the absolute protagonists. The Locanda del Contadino, the food stand managed by local farmers, opens from the inaugural evening and offers traditional Ferrarese peasant dishes. From Saturday morning, the farmers' market with local producers and the 'Mercato Genuino' (Genuine Market), dedicated to organic, local, and seasonal zero-kilometre products, are added.

• Farmers' market with farms from the Bassa ferrarese
• 'Mercato Genuino' of organic and seasonal products
• 'Locanda del Contadino' food stand
• Guided tours of the Ripapersico bamboo grove by Forever Bambù
• Truffle hunting competition with the National Association of Italian Truffle Hunters

Music, solidarity, and commitment

Evenings are accompanied by musical performances and DJ sets in the square, while Sunday morning is dedicated to solidarity with the walk Il Respiro del Verginese (The Breath of Verginese) and the traditional award ceremony for the Volunteer of the Year. It is precisely this balance between celebration, good food, and social awareness that makes the event a cherished occasion for the community of Portomaggiore and the surrounding towns, in this green corner of Emilia-Romagna.

An event promoted by the territory

The festival is organized by the Municipality of Portomaggiore together with the Pro Loco, the merchants' association Nel Cuore del Commercio, and CSV Terre Estensi, with the involvement of local agricultural and volunteer organizations. A network effort that makes this event a true reflection of the town's identity.