Azienda agricola biologica

Terni

10 reviews • Updated 4 days ago

La fattoria si trova sull’altipiano a 530 m slm, a metà strada tra Orvieto e il lago di Bolsena, nella Località Torre San Severo del comune di Orvieto. L’azienda agricola, 13 ettari tra boschetti e campi coltivati a farro, trifoglio, miglio, è certificata bio da 26 anni. Vivo nel vecchio e rustico casale di pietra, situato al centro del podere. Per il/la WOOFfer – occasionalmente per due se in coppia – è a disposizione la stanza degli ospiti con letto matrimoniale. Le attività che mi occupano, e che chiedo di condividere con te, dipendono dalla stagione e dalle circostanze. Ne elenco alcune: lavori nel piccolo orto stagionale, raccolta dei frutti e loro lavorazioni, piccoli lavori di potatura, produzione di bio-char per il miglioramento del terreno (non nei mesi caldi), produzione di lisciva, il detergente a base di cenere per casa, e sistemazione della legna da ardere, che è il combustibile per il riscaldamento dell'abitazione. Il casale dista dal borgo Torre San Severo solo 700 metri. Se vuoi esplorare alcuni dei tanti siti attraenti (centri storici, siti naturali) dei dintorni, dalla piazzetta del borgo passa due volte al giorno un pullman diretto sia a Orvieto che a Bolsena. Mangio in modo vegetariano. Nessun problema, però, se vuoi cucinare per te carne o pesce. Nel tempo libero, dedico tutto il tempo possibile a un’attività non-agreste ovvero la pittura, il disegno. Se anche tu hai questo interesse, possiamo sperimentare il gusto dell’atelier collettivo. Porta con te i tuoi strumenti, se vuoi. Io posso metterti senz’altro a disposizione un cavalletto da campo, un tavolo, e qualche materiale. °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° The farm is located on the plateau at 530 m asl, halfway between Orvieto and Lake Bolsena, in the Località Torre San Severo, part of the Comune of Orvieto. The farm, 13 hectares among groves of mainly oak trees, and fields planted with spelt, clover and millet, has been certified organic for 26 years. I live in the old, rustic stone farmhouse, situated at the center of the farm. For the WOOFfer – occasionaly for two, if a couple, – there is a guest room with a double bed available. The activities that occupy me, and that I ask to share with you, depend on the time of year and the circumstances. Here are some of them: everything involved in maintaining a small seasonal vegetable garden, fruit picking and its processing, pruning jobs, biochar production to improve the soil, producing lye from wood ash for housecleaning (I don’t generally do these last two activities in the summer season), work on arranging firewood, which is the fuel for heating the house in winter. I eat vegetarian, but in any case, you are welcome to cook meat /fish for yourself if you so wish. The farm is only 700 meters away from the village. If you’d like to explore some of the many attractive sites (towns and natural sites) in the surrounding area, and if you don’t have a car, a bus stops twice a day in the village bound for both Orvieto and Bolsena. When I’m not involved in the activities mentioned above, I devote as much time as I can to painting and drawing. If you are also interested, you are welcome to bring your own materials. I’m happy to provide a field easel, table, and some extra materials, if necessary.

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Fruit or nut farming

Grain farming

Wild foraging

Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas

Seed saving or production

Vegetable or fruit preservation

Traditional crafts

Food justice / sovereignty

Methods or systems

Holistic management

No-till farming

Permaculture

Regenerative agriculture

Host type

Production farm

Certified organic

13 Hectares | 32.1 Acres

Accommodation

1 WWOOFer

Bedroom

Children not accepted

Pets not accepted

Meals

Vegetarian

Length of stay

Less than a week

Gretel

Member since 2023

Languages spoken: English, French, German, Italian Response rate: 100% Response time: typically within 1 day

December 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Terni

Stazione di Orvieto

Reviews

Antoine

France • November 2025

I spent a wonderful week in Mansete. Gretel is an exceptionally kind person, very caring and funny. I loved working by her side in the garden and being able to help beautify and expand it. We made new planting beds for seedlings, which I hope will be very fruitful. I was also very happy to pet her adorable cat every day, he absolutely loved the attention :) Gretel cooked delicious meals for me, always varied and full of flavour, often using vegetables from the garden. I will long remember the ricotta toasts for breakfast, the homemade sage tagliatelle, the pizza she baked, the chestnuts roasted in the fireplace. And above all, the coffees we enjoyed together on the deckchairs, our faces warmed by the sun, « a fare il signore ». I spent an entire day visiting Orvieto, a city full of charm. I was truly moved by the beauty of the cathedral and its painted chapel, the church of San Giovenale and the historic streets. I was able to practise and improve my Italian, and to teach Gretel a few words in French ( « bêcher ! » ). I will always remember the comforting tenderness of the sunset admired from Montefiascone, a perfect reflection of Gretel’s own human warmth

Reply from Gretel

Très gentil de ta part, Antoine. Ça fait du bien ton appréciacion. Grazie. Buona continuazione di wwoofing italiano!

Kate

Hong Kong SAR China • September 2025

I can’t quite put into words how healing and transformative the time I spent with Gretel was. I was originally only able to spend four days at Mansete, but I came back a week later for an extra five days because it is truly that special! Gretel is a creative spirit who approaches everything she does with so much care and thoughtfulness. I really enjoyed the moments we shared—whether it was weeding, stacking wood, cooking a wholesome meal, yoga, or dancing—each one felt like a canvas to create something together. Mansete is one of my favourite places on Earth—Gretel’s farmhouse, her garden, and the surrounding area are all beautiful, of course, but really it’s Gretel’s warmth who makes it feel like home. Thank you Gretel, 謝謝你 ❤️

Reply from Gretel

❤️❤️❤️

Isha

United States • August 2025

Gretel gave me the best WWOOFing experience I could have asked for. I only stayed with her for 6 days, but I feel as though I have made a friend for life. Gretel and I spent our days working in the vegetable garden, drying herbs, chopping logs, cooking together, and chatting. Gretel also took me to nearby towns, where we swam in the lake and enjoyed gelato in the hot weather. I highly recommend this place for anyone who wants to clear their mind, learn something new about sustainable living, and enjoy the company of a truly lovely and unique person. Grazie Gretel!

Ida

Sweden • June 2025

My time with Gretel was much more than I expected it to be. Every moment was meaningful, and I gained not only new experiences but also a friend I truly hope to keep for life. Gretel is a wonderful person who took such good care of me, and I felt warmly welcomed from the very start. The daily tasks varied, but due to the heat, we usually worked in the shade or during the cooler parts of the day. I spent time in the garden – and learned a lot in the process, helped load firewood, picked berries for making jam and for having at breakfast, and sanded both the outdoor shutters and the garden table – which became my favourite spot in the mornings. There were plenty of other tasks too! I had my own room, and we shared delicious vegetarian meals every day. One day I even went out for a run – the surroundings are perfect for that. There wasn’t a fixed work schedule so the tasks and free time varied from day to day. I also had the chance to visit the town of Orvieto, which was stunning. Mansete is a truly beautiful place, and I couldn’t have asked for a better first WWOOF experience. I genuinely hope I get the chance to return💚

Reply from Gretel

Very kind lines, dear Ida!

Renate

Switzerland • May 2025

I had an amazing time with Gretel and her extra friendly cat. The garden is beautiful, wild and full of flowers with other edibles. I enjoyed the daily ‘to do’s’ alongside with Gretel such weeding, making vine-bundles and fencing. Her lovely home was cozy and as it was still cool outside, made a fire in her kitchen fireplace. We cooked together which was lovely. We ate local and creatively, mostly fresh from the garden. Wish I could have stayed longer to enjoy the wild strawberries. Thank you Gretel for the great experience and your kindness! Regards Renate

Reply from Gretel

Thank you, dear Renate!

Anu

United States • March 2025

Gretel was absolutely incredible. Even though I only stayed for three full days, I felt like she was family in how she took care of me, our wonderful meals together, and the time we shared joking and working and laughing. I helped paint the fireplace and split some wood; cut the grass and took apart some boxes; cut some reeds and fed our beautiful semi-free cat, Secondo. I had the most lovely time with Gretel at Mansete, and I promise to come back again soon (and for much, much longer!) we will paint and make more food and lunch needle together!

Reply from Gretel

Thank you, dearest Anu! I'm looking forward to!