Cascina Merlanetta

Cascina Merlanetta is a strictly organic farm facing onto the left bank of the Orba stream and extends over a surface of approx. 60 hectares: the farm produces cereal - fodder but there is also a fruit orchard of fifty ancient varieties all typical of north Piedmont and a small production of an ancient medieval savoy cabbage native to the municipality of Casalcermelli. This cabbage can boast both DE.CO. denomination and of being counted among the products of the SLOW FOOD ark with relevant SLOW FOOD COMMUNITY of which Cascina Merlanetta is one of the founding members. A large part of the farm falls within the SIC (site of community importance) and in the "TORRENTE ORBA NATURE RESERVE" where the Piedmont region has identified the only authorized area for gold digging for amateur, scientific and educational purposes considering that the sands of the stream are known to contain gold. Cascina Merlanetta is also home to the historic and interactive museum "ORO DELL'ORBA" and through the educational activity it is also possible to do courses on how to use the various gold digging techniques and then try out this activity directly on the shores of the stream.