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Recently, I watched a beautiful DW documentary about a growing movement in Italy. It showed how more and more young people are choosing to return to agriculture. Over the last decade, the number of young farmers there has risen significantly. Many of them are taking over unused public lands in Rome or cultivating the steep, challenging hills of Genoa to grow organic food and work close to nature.
Watching their journey made me think deeper on my own reasons for dedicating so much time and energy to my garden. While I am not starting a large agricultural business, my core motivation feels very similar to theirs.
A Need for Security
Life outside the garden can sometimes feel very loud and rushed. For me, growing my own food is a direct response to that. It gives me a profound sense of security. I find a lot of comfort in knowing that I can plant a tiny tomato seed in March, nurture it through the spring, and eventually harvest food that will nourish my family for months.
When the young farmers in the documentary talked about finding meaning in nature, it really resonated with me. While I am very happy in my current job and have no plans to become a full time farmer, I completely understand their craving to work with their hands and see the physical results of their labor. I feel that same independence during my evenings and weekends when I step into my garden. Moving to a new place with a bigger garden this year has only amplified that feeling. Having unlimited root depth and the space to grow crops like carrots and onions directly in the ground feels like building a strong, secure foundation for my daily life.
A Different Kind of Wealth
The documentary shared some beautiful perspectives from these new farmers. One of them, working on reclaimed public land in Rome, explained that returning to the earth is a way to become masters of their own time again. Another farmer, working on steep terraces, mentioned how despite the intense physical labor, the land always repays you honestly. They spoke about giving value back to the territory and protecting the landscape, rather than just taking from it.
For me, gardening is about that same honest exchange. It is about resilience. It is about knowing exactly where my food comes from, how it was treated, and what went into the soil that grew it. When I preserve beets for winter or freeze the fresh vegetables I cultivated with my own hands, I am taking care of my future self. I am making sure that my pantry and freezer have something good and healthy to offer.
A Shared Connection to the Soil
Seeing others find purpose and stability in the soil is incredibly inspiring. The young Italians in the documentary face many obstacles and financial challenges, but they refuse to give up because the work brings them peace and a tangible connection to the earth. Whether it is a farming cooperative in Rome or a small, newly built vegetable garden in Bavaria, the act of growing food connects us to something real and lasting.
It reminds us that nature always provides if we are willing to put in the work, making life feel a little softer and a lot more manageable.
Take a peek at my painting gallery if you are curious: My Art Gallery
Talk soon,
The video sounds awesome. :) I clicked the link to watch it, but it says it's private and that if you are authorized to watch it you have to log in. :(
I’m going to have to watch this documentary now .. thanks for sharing 🙌