Background of Summer School / Introduction
Tuscany is a region with a strong agricultural heritage. Key crops include wheat, olives for high-quality olive oil, grapes, and various fruits and vegetables. The region is renowned for its wines, especially Brunello del Montalcino and Chianti. Livestock farming also contributes to the economy, with cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry, and horses being raised. The region has made significant strides in sustainable agriculture. Over 100,000 hectares are dedicated to organic farming, with more than 4,000 registered organic operations.
Though Tuscany may not lead in agricultural output by volume, it excels in producing premium goods with strong international demand. It plays a vital role in Italy’s food and wine tourism industry, attracting visitors seeking its culinary traditions and artisanal products. Despite global pressures pushing farmers toward larger, mechanized operations relying heavily on synthetic inputs, demand is growing for sustainably and traditionally produced food.
This Summer School explores the challenges faced by regional farmers and strategies to maintain traditional methods while ensuring economic viability. Participants will examine Tuscany’s agricultural practices, cultural heritage, and economic environment. They will gain insights into cultivation methods, environmental impacts, and ecosystem services, such as contributions to food markets, heritage preservation, and tourism support.
The program will also address key questions, including how to combat soil degradation, erosion, and fertility loss. What innovative soil management strategies can ensure long-term productivity and environmental health? Another critical issue is managing human-wildlife conflicts from the re-emergence of wild wolves. How can farmers protect livestock while maintaining biodiversity and supporting wolf conservation?
By engaging with these issues, participants will gain a deep understanding of the interconnected natural and human dimensions of Tuscany’s agricultural sector and develop ideas on how to navigate this (and other) cultural landscapes towards a sustainable future.
Hosting University
University of Hohenheim
Venue
Monasterino della Conoscenza, near Siena, Italy, a historical landmark founded in 1070 in the Tuscan Hills
Date
28.07. – 02.08.2025 (on-site stay)
Participants
16
Previous Knowledge
Bachelor or Master students with knowledge in environmental, natural and/or social sciences, agricultural sciences
Course Content
In e-learning sessions, participants will be introduced to the main concepts that allow the key questions to be addressed during this summer school:
1. social-ecological systems, landscape approaches, integrated landscape management
2. geological, soil and water conditions of the region
3. livestock in cultural landscapes, human-wildlife-conflicts
4. agrobiodiversity as cultural heritage, eco-tourism, and their potential benefits for sustainability of cultural landscapes
In Tuscany, we will visit several farms and producers of typical traditional products (truffles, Cinta Senese pig, sheep, pecorino cheese production, wine production) and get to interact with scientists from the Accademia Fisiocritici in Siena and the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage program, as well as the Consortium of Cinta Senese pig breeders.
Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)
After completing the course, the participants should be able to …
Knowledge
• understand the concept of cultural landscapes and landscape approaches
• identify and describe key natural and human features in cultural landscapes
Skills
• use selected tools to investigate natural and/or socio-economic and/or cultural features in landscapes (with a focus on soil, water, agriculture, economy, and cultural heritage
Competences
• critically reflect on current challenges in landscape management and develop ideas for suitable measures (related to land-use practice, management, planning, governance)
Course Schedule
Several e-learning sessions in July 2025 (exact dates will be communicated soon)
Travel to Siena on 27th or 28th of July
Arrival in the Monasterino on 28th of July
Stay on-site with visits in the area 28th of July to 1st of August
Departure from Siena on 2nd of August
Course Language
English
Course Format / Teaching Methods
Blended learning: preparation via e-learning, seminar presentations, preparation of readers, excursions, lectures in presence
Credits
ECTS Credits and Workload Overview
| Number of Credits [ECTS] | 4 |
|---|---|
| TOTAL Workload [hours] | 100 |
| Student's own work [hours] | 40 |
| Contact classes [hours] | 60 |
| Exam [hours] | x |
Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria
Type: Oral (short presentation on site) and written (final report) assessment
Criteria: Quality of the seminar presentation and report, active participation in the program
Cultural Activities / Social Program
Volunteering activity with a local NGO
Pizza baking
Visit to Siena with sightseeing
Tuition Fees
100 € registration fee
Additional Costs
Food and accommodation will be provided for free; the trip to Siena has to be organised individually. Students from ELLS universities are encouraged to apply for an Erasmus travel grant. Contact your local International Relations Office for more information.
Participants from the University of Hohenheim can travel to Siena with the organizers in two vans (participants with a valid driver’s license are highly welcome to help with the driving!).
Accommodation
Multiple bed rooms (2-6 beds per room, separated by gender)
Health Insurance
Has to be covered by the participants.
Visa
Only needed for Non-EU applicants without a valid Schengen visa
Application Deadline
15th of May 2025
Link to online Application form
https://forms.office.com/e/egNHW3f7ej
Contact persons for scientific questions
Prof. Dr. Claudia Bieling, claudia.bieling@uni-hohenheim.de
Contact person for administrative questions
Katrin Winkler, katrin.winkler@uni-hohenheim.de