Last month’s post on adopting an olive tree in Italy proved so popular that we’ve been scurrying about looking for other things that might be adopted! It seems that E-Cool readers are eager for gifting and investment opportunities that are socially responsibile.
So, if you’re looking for a holiday gift for the person who loves Italy but has everything, we’ve got another idea or two that may help you with your shopping list.
We begin today with the charming opportunity to adopt a sheep in the Abruzzo, a mountainous region in central Italy. The sheep adoption program was created by a farmers’ cooperative in a medieval village in order to preserve an ancient profession that has been characteristic of the region for 3000 years - sheep-herding.
Before World War II there were some 3 million sheep in Abruzzo. Now the herds number about 350,000 - and it’s not just sheep that are in short supply. The region is one of the more depopulated parts of the country as traditional sheep farming dwindles and young people move to the cities.
”People have tended sheep in this area for the last 2,000 years, and we want it to continue for another 2,000,” said Manuela Cozzi, who with her husband’s family runs an organic sheep cooperative and an ”agritourism” inn in Anversa degli Abruzzi. ”Sheep around here are in danger of becoming an endangered species, and we hope this initiative will help prevent that.”
But it’s not just the sheep that are protected when you decide to make a little Italian lamb your own. Your contribution also helps to protect organic industries associated with sheep-herding - some of which your stomach (and feet) will find extremely pleasing - such as cheese-making, sausage-making, and the local processing of wool.
So how does it work? There are several levels of participation.
An annual contribution of euro 190 will win you:
- adoption papers, along with your lamb’s childhood photos, and a chronicle of shearing, milking, birthing
- 2 kilos of pecorino cheese (yumm!)
- 2 kilos of juniper smoked ricotta (even yummier!)
- 1 kilo of sheep salami (or caciocavallo cheese if you’re vegetarian)
- one pair of 100% virgin wool hiking socks
- 5 liters of olive oil
If you’re looking to pay a bit less, donation of euro 140 will fill your pantry with the goodness of organic Italian cheeses:
- adoption papers, along with your lamb’s childhood photos, and a chronicle of shearing, milking, birthing
- 3 kilos of pecorino cheese (yumm!)
- 1 kilo of juniper smoked ricotta (even yummier!)
- 1 kilo of sheep salami (or caciocavallo cheese if you’re vegetarian)
- one pair of 100% virgin wool hiking socks
Finally, there’s even an option for the budget conscious. A contribution of euro 80 won’t fill your pantry with the goodness of organic Italian cheeses, buy you’ll get an opportunity to visit the new wild-n-wooly member of your family:
- adoption papers, along with your lamb’s childhood photos, and a chronicle of shearing, milking, birthing
- one pair of 100% virgin wool hiking socks
- a voucher for a one-person, one day stay (meals included) at the agriturismo that’s organizing the effort
How to get started? Click here for a contract in English. Just print it, fill it out, and send it with payment to the Porta dei Parchi agriturismo!
