Cascina Don Guanella, located at Piazza Rossè 3 in Valmadrera, is much more than just an organic farm. It is a social agriculture project that integrates agricultural production with the training and employment of young people in difficulty, inspired by the values of Don Luigi Guanella. Founded in 2014 as a social cooperative, the farm was born as a place of welcome, care, and growth for young people coming from vulnerable backgrounds, offering them a concrete opportunity for redemption through work and nature.

The beating heart of the Farm is a vast organic land that extends over the surrounding hills: a 5,000-square-meter vegetable garden where fresh vegetables, small fruits like raspberries, and herbs are grown, all available both fresh and transformed into artisanal jams. Next to the garden is a 3.5-hectare cereal field dedicated to the production of corn, barley, wheat, buckwheat, and spelt, essential ingredients for the preparation of bread, pizzas, focaccias, and other baked goods made with flour from the internal supply chain.

From the earth to the table: artisanal products and hospitality

The farm also hosts a cattle and goat breeding facility, providing fresh milk for the production of cheeses, both fresh and aged, directly in the on-site dairy. The 30 goats supply the production of special cheeses and exclusive ice creams. The cellar, another point of pride, contains wines produced on site, including the 'Barabin' red and white labels. The real excellence, however, is represented by the internal craft brewery, which produces seven different types of beer — such as Agricola, Barabiga, Belga, Blanche, and Bock — all made with barley and hops grown onsite, combining passion and sustainability.

The experience of Cascina Don Guanella is completed by the agritourism, which offers a warm and welcoming environment: the indoor hall can accommodate up to 80 people, while the outdoor terrace is ideal for special events such as weddings, baptisms, and corporate dinners. The kitchen offers genuine dishes based on fresh and local ingredients, enhancing the farm’s productions. Among the specialties are vegetable flan with cheese fondue, meat ravioli with butter and sage, chitarra spaghetti with asparagus cream and crispy pancetta, as well as Fassona stew with mashed potatoes. Every baked product — bread, pizzas, and focaccias — is prepared in the internal bakery, strictly with flours derived from the cultivated cereals.

Cascina Don Guanella represents an important hub for the local community, with initiatives that combine sport and solidarity, such as the 'Barabina Run.' Among the most innovative projects is 'La Cascina si fa Casa,' dedicated to the renovation of ancient spaces to create agritourism services designed for bicycle tourism, thus further enhancing the territory and sustainability. The craft beer 'Barabina' symbolizes the meeting between agricultural tradition and artisanal innovation, reflecting the attention to quality, territory, and social inclusion that characterizes all the activities of the Farm.