Maria Pia: a woman-farmer-entrepreneur is revolutionizing the experience of transhumance (seasonal migration).

Not only excellent DOP cheeses, but also a degree in economics from the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, not only management of the family business but also creator of a unique experience that we can all experience with her.

But let's go step by step. Maria Pia (where Pia is her surname and is part of a group of families with 6 centuries of history between Picinisco and Settefrati, two of the most beautiful villages in the Val di Comino, in the Lazio area of ​​the Abruzzo Lazio and Molise National Park) she is a person to know.

Maria Pia was a young girl originally from Picinisco who started her studies with the agricultural school of Alvito, where the lords of the Comino Valley were based. From the age of 18, she began working in the family dairy farm, Agricola San Maurizio, when agriculture was still not in fashion.

But how could she do otherwise if the Pia family has been pastoralists for 9 generations?

She got the desire to graduate after a few years and she had work experience that had already made her a woman and made her understand that she had to give a different approach to the work than the previous 9 generations.

Together with her brother they started making modern approaches: he opened and advertised a sales point for the marketing of products, but above all for tasting.

Knowledge is the keystone and, as the university changes people's lives, so the understanding of the culture of pastoralism and the direct tasting of dairy products can make the difference.

Knowledge not just of their products, but of those of the whole territory. And cheeses become an opportunity to make their territory known.

And to fascinate skeptics and travellers of the digital age, Maria Pia began to talk about herself on the web, and above all to share the life of a farmer with others.

On her social networks she always publishes updates on new activities and on the simple and complex life of the company, focusing mainly on that of its 4-legged residents.

The whole supply chain is in front of us and we can see it with our own eyes even if from a distance. But Agricola San Maurizio is not only this.

For example Maria Pia is president of the Valle di Comino BIO Association, recognized by the Lazio Region, and as a company they take part in the Shepherd's Festival of Picinisco in August.

Transhumance or Transhumans

Ciociaria, like all central and southern Italy, is a land of transhumance of seasonal migration of stock. To ensure fresh pastures for the animals, the shepherds had to bring their flocks to mountain pastures in summer and to lowland pastures (quite near the sea) in autumn. These two steps are called transhumance.

It is a real cultural movement with very ancient origins, which has shaped our traditions and our territory crossed by hundreds of "tratturi", the tracks that were used by cattle and shepherds to move. Today these sheep tracks have become a UNESCO heritage site.

Transhumance was not easy and although in Picinisco it involved shorter routes between the mountains and the valley, for Maria Pia it was a difficult time and she waited with apprehension for the date of mid-June when they had to move the flocks.

Then the spark of inspiration came. Why not share this experience with friends and let them live one night in the woods and the journey up the mountain following the flocks and herds?

This is how "Transhumans" was born, because in addition to a livestock movement it is a movement of men (and women).

Every year, during the period of transhumance, Maria Pia invites friends and tourists, who reserve a place, to take part in the experience of "human and animal migration", living it as she does and as the shepherds of the past did. Packed lunch, night in the woods, walks and absolute simplicity.

An experience that highlights not only the work of Agricola San Maurizio, but a benefit to the whole territory that is increasingly characterized in its folklore and traditions.

If you want to book a spot, write to the site ... we will be there!