Jul 31, 2025 / 2:40PM
NYU Florence is different from any other Study Away site. Its campus is made up of Villa La Pietra’s world-famous gardens and the bucolic agricultural landscape that surrounds them. As a small, but perfect, 37acre Tuscany Villa Estate it produces food but its main purpose for more than 550 years has been the wellbeing of the community it serves. Today, that community is the students and staff that form the NYU Florence family.
Broadly, the estate may be divided in to two parts: the formal gardens where students may participate in outdoor classes, revise for upcoming exams or simply relax, take the sun and enjoy a homemade picnic in beautiful surroundings; the Community Farm made up of the olive groves and the walled garden, the Pomario, supplying the on-site cafeteria with fresh, zero-miles, produce in a way that is also good for our environment. Together they form a Green Laboratory of learning opportunities for a range of courses and extracurricular activities.
Through talks, workshops and the possibility to work on the Community Farm, Terra Firma aims to facilitate a deeper appreciation of this special place, to more fully enjoy it and to use it as a mirror reflecting wider issues in the world.
The Estate and Collections of Villa La Pietra: History, Practice and Engagement
With an introduction to Museum Meetings and Terra Firma programs by Francesca Baldry, Villa La Pietra, Collection Manager, and Nick Dakin-Elliot, La Pietra, Horticultural Associate.
A review of how gardens and contact with the natural world may improve personal wellbeing and a look at how we may all use the unique estate that is Villa La Pietra to improve our own wellbeing.
An important part of this event will be the chance to sample some of Villa La Pietra’s home-grown produce and to meet the gardeners who produce it.
Speak to Nick if you like the idea of getting involved by working in the vegetable garden alongside professional gardeners who know what they are doing. An hour a week, or more if you wish, will allow you to witness seeds sown and plants planted that will grow to maturity during Spring 2025 in time to be harvested, cooked and served at the cafeteria before the Semester is finished.
Casa Ilaria Farm
The chance to spend the day in the Tuscan countryside, to help disadvantaged people grow fruit and vegetables on their community farm before sitting down to a home-grown lunch with them and other locals.
(Event organized in collaboration with NYU Community Engagement)
Olive Harvesting
Followed by lunch at the Stone Table at Villa Ulivi
The olive oil we produce at Villa La Pietra is a particularly good version of the Tuscan olive oil that is famous the world over. We start the day by looking at olive trees and discussing their importance within Tuscan culture. We then harvest olives to work up an appetite for the traditional harvest lunch that will be on offer in the olive grove. The day will end with an explanation as to how the harvested olives are pressed to release their liquid gold and the chance to taste a range of very different olive oils from across Italy. Quality is a complex concept that needs to be safeguarded but also appreciated.
Chestnut Harvesting and Cooking Class
Harvest chestnuts with local Italian students in the Mugello area of Tuscany, to appreciate this unique landscape and then to prepare and eat a traditional chestnut lunch with new friends.
(Event organized in collaboration with OSL).
Olive Harvesting
Followed by lunch at the Stone Table at Villa Ulivi
The olive oil we produce at Villa La Pietra is a particularly good version of the Tuscan olive oil that is famous the world over. We start the day by looking at olive trees and discussing their importance within Tuscan culture. We then harvest olives to work up an appetite for the traditional harvest lunch that will be on offer in the olive grove. The day will end with an explanation as to how the harvested olives are pressed to release their liquid gold and the chance to taste a range of very different olive oils from across Italy. Quality is a complex concept that needs to be safeguarded but also appreciated.