Lessons learned in the Appennines for the Val di Sole pilot
On 13–14 November 2025, the SMART ERA partner Provincia Autonoma di Trento organised a study visit to the ‘Milk Mountain‘ (La Montagna del Latte) initiative in the Reggiano Apennines. The visit focused on a concrete example of how mountain dairy farming can combine economic viability, environmental care and social value.
In this area, farms, dairies and local institutions work together to improve production, protect the landscape and strengthen the link between products and territory. The experience offered practical ideas that can be applied in the Val di Sole pilot area and in other European mountain regions.
Key themes and good practices from the study visit
- Careful land and soil management to reduce environmental impacts, store carbon and limit hydrogeological risks
- Digital traceability of dairy products, using QR codes to improve transparency and consumer trust
- Use of sensors and monitoring systems to support animal welfare and optimise feeding
- Control of forage drying processes to improve sustainability and product quality
- Quality and origin certification for mountain products
- Clear and targeted marketing strategies that highlight the uniqueness of mountain production
- Experiential marketing and consumer education, including tastings and visits to dairies
- Training activities on sustainability, entrepreneurship and skills for young people
- Community cooperatives to maintain local services and support rural communities
- Economic incentives for mountain producers, including payments linked to environmental services
- Strong cooperation between producers, institutions and policy makers, supported by European and national funds
The ‘Milk Mountain’ experience shows that simple, well-coordinated actions and long-term cooperation can make mountain areas more resilient and attractive, fully in line with the goals of the SMART ERA project.
Learn more here
READ OUR PRACTICE ABSTRACT ON DAIRY FARMING IN VAL DI SOLE
