How an Italian shepherd school creates opportunities for women in the countryside | Focus on Europe

Key Concepts:

• Shepherding as a profession in Italy
• Gender roles in agriculture
• Rural revitalization and combating out-migration
• Sustainable land management
• Traditional skills and knowledge transfer
• Agri-business and economic viability of shepherding

Gabriella Mikalotsi: A Pioneer Shepherdess

• Background: Gabriella Mikalotsi transitioned to shepherding 15 years ago after losing her job at a call center. A turning point was when she and other striking workers occupied the company's premises for 6 months, living off homegrown food, reminiscent of her grandparents' farming life.
• Motivation: Inspired by her grandparents' self-sufficient farming, Gabriella and her sister decided to revive their family farm near Florence.
• Early Challenges: The fields were overgrown, and male colleagues were initially unwilling to share knowledge or guidance.
• Growth: She started with five goats, acquired through a trade for wine, and later traded 40 goats for 20 sheep.
• Recognition: After several years, Gabriella gained recognition as "Gabriella the Shepherdess."
• Quote: "If our grandparents could live a dignified life on a farm with a few animals then we should also be able to make something edible out of the earth and a few hens."

Shepherd School in Tuscany: Fostering the Next Generation

• Establishment: A shepherd school was founded three years ago in Tuscany by the Festi Castantine National Park.
• Motivation: To facilitate the entry of more individuals, particularly women, into the shepherding profession.
• Student Profile: Any Katina Blazy, a wildlife sciences graduate, enrolled in the school, driven by a desire to live close to nature and a passion for the shepherd's life.
• Curriculum: The program covers biology, grazing management, animal husbandry, and agri-business management.
• Student Demographics: The current cohort consists of six women and two men.
• Park's Perspective: Claudia Matsulli, President of the Festi Casantine National Park, emphasizes the importance of shepherds in safeguarding the landscape and habitat.
• Quote: "You're setting off on a path that is very important to us because being a shepherd means safeguarding our landscape our habitat that's at risk of disappearing."

Addressing Rural Out-Migration and Generational Change

• Concern: The aging population and out-migration from the Apennine mountain villages pose a threat to the region's future.
• Solution: Creating jobs for young people through shepherding is seen as a vital step in revitalizing these communities.
• Impact: The school aims to reverse the trend of rural decline by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Practical Skills and Knowledge Transfer

• Cheesemaking: Students learn traditional cheesemaking techniques, including using fresh sheep's milk and cultures in a temperature-controlled environment (20°C).
• Mentorship: Experienced shepherdess Gabriella offers advice and guidance to the new recruits, contrasting with her own initial experiences of resistance from male colleagues.
• Gabriella's Advice: "If you're prepared to love the land and the animals and don't see living such a life as making a sacrifice on the contrary it makes you happy then this is the right profession for you."

Conclusion:

The video highlights the resurgence of shepherding in Italy, driven by individuals like Gabriella Mikalotsi and supported by initiatives like the shepherd school in Tuscany. This revival not only preserves traditional skills and promotes sustainable land management but also addresses critical issues such as rural out-migration and generational change, offering a path towards a more vibrant and resilient future for mountain communities.