THE ORGANIC FARMING CO-OPERATIVE IRIS
Gemüse und Getreideanbau
Tomatensoßen, Mehle und italienische Hartweizen-Nudeln
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Iris-Webseite seit 2011 auch mit deutschsprachigen Informationen
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Reisebericht über einen Besuch bei Iris-Pasta
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Aus einer Selbstdarstellung von 2009:
The growing place
The farm lies in Calvatone, in province Cremona in North of Italy, in the south-east PO river plain, far from industrial areas and intensive traffic roads. It extends about 40 hectares inside the Oglio River Natural Park adjoining WWF Oasis “Le Bine” and a site of archaeological and historical importance. Therefore the whole area is regulated by safeguard clauses and rules that protect its environment and nature. This is the perfect place for a farm that chose the farming based on organic method and privileges the quality for its products.
The origins
IRIS was founded in the year 1984 and it is a workers co-operative society. We took inspiration by IVO TOTTI ‘s teachings, who was “forerunner” and “pioneer” of Italian organic farming. Since the beginning we developed our agronomical abilities and knowledge with the aim of promoting the methods and the techniques of organic farming. Our continuous research activity makes IRIS often the object of great interest and debate as well as a reference point for both national and international field , what favours the spreading of organic farming method.
The biogrowing
IRIS grows its cereals and vegetables only in the lands all around its farm-house in Calvatone according to the organic farming main rule of growing rotation: durum and tender wheat, barley, oats, spelt, tomatoes, salads, cabbages, courgettes, pumpkins and so on.
The biofood products
In the year 1999 IRIS created its own trading company named A.S.T.R.A. BIO, itself responsible for the quality and safety of IRIS bioproducts ; tomato sauces, flours and Italian durum wheat pasta. In fact its primary purpose consists of controlling the whole production process of each single item in order to guarantee to the consumer not only the total traceability but mainly the high quality of IRIS products so that they can convey the purity and freshness of our row materials.
The pasta factory
Last may 2005, IRIS acquired the pasta factory “PASTA NOSARI” in Piadena, lying only 6 Km. far from our farm and office in Calvatone, with which we had been co-operating about ten years. This acquisition allows the Co-operative to concretise its original aim of warranting the direct control of the whole biopasta production process. In fact today IRIS grows part of the needed durum wheat, controls the grains stock at a mill of its own trust and decides the procedures and the times of the milling. Our internal procedure regulates the pasta production so that it starts not later than two days after the grains milling.
Recently the pasta factory has obtained the certification for BRC and IFS standards.
Starting from 2009 ICEA has certified the pasta factory as 100% organic as we process only organic raw materials.
Traceability
The main requirement of our bioproduct is its traceability through the batch number printed on each single packet and on the outer too. A.S.T.R.A. BIO determines the batch number of its items starting from the issue of the raw materials collection order so that it must be reported on every document relating both the production process and the selling. The batch number printed on each packet is its own identity card.
“Giovanni Marcora” European Award 2003
IRIS farming co-operative is a heritage spreading the image of our region all over in the world, thanks also to the precious co-operation of several Italian and foreign universities and associations. We offer a didactic program on biofarming and environmental respect to schools and associations. For our innovation activity in farming field we were the first organic farm awarded with the important European Award “Giovanni Marcora” in January 2003.
Clean Energy
Since 2007 IRIS pasta factory made a contract for the supply of green energy, this meant an increase in costs but ensure to us that electricity comes from plants with low environmental impact: dams, wind …, since August 2008, in addition, the farming cooperative produces electricity with photovoltaic panels able to have full autonomy