Italy’s Student-Run Farms Go Global – You Won’t Believe What ‘Made in MIM’ Is Selling at Airports!

An Innovative Brand Born in Italian Agrarian Schools

This autumn, the Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito (MIM) will launch the “Made in MIM” label, uniting products from Italy’s technical agrarian institutes under a single, high-profile brand. Until now, these student-run farms—renowned for their advanced technology and organic quality—sold their wines, oils, grains and preserves exclusively on school grounds. With “Made in MIM,” they will reach national and international markets, starting at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and eventually expanding to other airports and Coldiretti’s Campagna Amica farmers’ markets.

A Diverse Catalogue of Over 100 Quality Items

Today, more than 100 products bear the new label, each accompanied by a detailed technical sheet. Highlights include:

Each institute selects its flagship produce based on its regional heritage and available land, creating a mosaic of flavours that truly represents Italy’s agrarian diversity.

From Classroom to Commercial Market

The “Made in MIM” initiative is more than a sales channel; it’s a hands-on teaching tool. By managing real-world production, packaging and marketing, students acquire:

“Made in MIM allows us to produce more not for mere market speculation but to teach our students varied agricultural models, both traditional and high-tech,” explains Attilio Ferraiolo, head of the Garibaldi agrarian institute in Rome.

The Garibaldi Example: 76 Hectares of Learning and Production

At the Istituto Garibaldi in Rome, students manage 76 hectares of vineyards, olive groves and fields. Annual outputs include:

“Agriculture is no longer simply digging in the dirt. Today’s students, often digital natives, engage with cutting-edge technology that makes farming appealing,” Ferraiolo adds proudly.

Boosting Regional Development and Combating Depopulation

Many institutes are located in Italy’s internal and rural areas at risk of depopulation. By promoting local agro-food specialties under “Made in MIM,” the schools offer graduates viable career paths close to home. For instance, the De Sanctis–D’Agostino Amatucci institute in Avellino boasts:

“This school gave birth to nearly 300 wineries in our region. With ‘Made in MIM,’ we can now reach international travellers—and inspire our students to remain here and develop their own ventures,” says principal Pietro Caterini.

Gender Balance and New Generations

Historically male-dominated, agrarian institutes now welcome more female students every year. At Avellino, girls make up 20 % of the cohort, drawn by sustainable farming methods and the prospect of entrepreneurial opportunities. “We’re seeing strong interest from young women in the Irpinia area who want to launch their own agricultural businesses,” notes Caterini.

Next Steps and Expansion

The “Made in MIM” pilot involves 22 institutes in its first year. Success will see the network grow both in number of schools and range of curricula. Future plans include:

With a powerful combination of education, innovation and regional pride, “Made in MIM” embodies a holistic approach to agrarian training—cultivating both products and the next generation of agricultural leaders.

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