The Sacra Famiglia Foundation recently inaugurated the Mirtilleto in Cesano Boscone, an agricultural project that combines social inclusion with the cultivation of blueberries and berries. It will be cared for by the Mirtillo Team, a group of around fifteen people with disabilities and vulnerabilities, actively involved in managing the field and greenhouses within the Foundation’s 22 hectares of green space.
The main goal is to offer concrete opportunities for growth, participation, and independence. The harvested fruit will be used to produce jams, juices, and other processed products for local distribution.
“The 800 potted plants have been arranged in rows accessible even to wheelchairs and people with neurodivergence,” explains Monica Conti, Director of Innovative Autism Services at the Foundation. The agricultural activity thus becomes an educational, therapeutic, and relational tool, cultivating not only fruit, but also beauty and human relationships.
The project was made possible thanks to the contribution of Azienda Agricola La Clementina of Abbiategrasso and the support of the Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi Foundation. The entire system is designed to be inclusive, taking into account the individual abilities and preferences of the people involved.
Conti also highlights the value of teamwork: “Working in a group helps develop memory, coordination, and action sequences. One step at a time, you learn a trade.” Participants include residents of the communities and attendees of the Sacra Famiglia Day Centers.
The Mirtilleto’s activities include:
cultivating blueberries and berries in open fields and greenhouses
hand-picking the fruit
processing into products such as juices and jams
distribution during events and fairs
green space maintenance, with personalized tasks to enhance each person’s abilities
Source: vita.it
