Società Agricola Rio Moreno
The Rio Moreno organic farm is located in Rivalta in Reggio Emilia on the hillside once ruled by Matilda of Tuscany. It was purchased in 1989 by Luigi Bernar, originally from Desenzano del Garda, who fell in love with this region when he arrived in Emilia and believed in the potential and value of Parmigiano Reggiano.
Today, the farm is also run by his children Paolo and Andrea who, together with the whole family, are continuing a history of tradition and innovation, with their passion for their work and respect for nature. For these reasons, with a touch of courage and going against the grain of the time, in 2002, they decided to convert the business into a certified organic farm.
“The outdoor life, a love of farming, a passion for the rural environment and for its rhythm connected to the cycle of nature, have all pushed me and my brother Andrea to run our father’s business and to increase its value by turning it into an organic farm”.
Alongside the production side including a cowshed with 86 milking cows, there are 100 hectares of land used for growing organic fodder and cereals that are all used at the farm.
Plenty of passion, but also a touch of imagination, are the hallmarks of the Azienda Agricola Rio Moreno, a real pioneer in the production of organic milk for Parmigiano Reggiano. In fact, the farm is conducting a study to produce milk with a much more digestible “short-chain” protein compared with the traditional version; furthermore, it is dedicated to continuous research into new crops and farming techniques to adapt to climate change.
“I really love animals! I think that cows are fantastic animals, designed to work in symbiosis with people”.
