Our Story
Giardino Foresta — meaning “Forest Garden” — grew from a lifelong love of nature, creativity, and design. After years working in artistic fields, founder Alicia followed her intuition after a career layoff and combined her passions for botany, gardening, and visual design to create a farm rooted in purpose and connection.
Raised in Northern Virginia surrounded by gardens, fruit trees, and flowers, Alicia’s fascination with the natural world began early and continued through studies in science, theatre design, and years spent working in teaching, event design, graphic art, and UX/UI. After settling with her family in Charlottesville, Virginia, what started as a home garden slowly evolved into Giardino Foresta.
Today, the farm is both a creative and spiritual practice — a place dedicated to growing herbs and saffron, along with select cut flowers, while honoring the balance of nature. Sustainability, intentional growing, and using every part of what the land provides are central to the farm’s philosophy. Inspired by Alicia’s Sicilian roots and deep belief in the healing power of nature, Giardino Foresta exists to help others reconnect with the earth, appreciate its beauty, and experience the joy, peace, and energy that nature so generously offers.
Our commitment to the environment
Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) offers peer-review certification to farmers and beekeepers producing food, flowers, and fiber for their local communities by working in harmony with nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals or GMOs.
CNG standards are based on the highest ideals of the organic movement. The requirements are just as demanding as organic, but many farmers are drawn to CNG’s focus on keeping costs and paperwork to a minimum, and supporting the growth of the movement through education and building strong local food networks.
Choosing to become Certified Naturally Grown felt like a natural extension of our values. We care deeply about honesty and transparency, and believe the best way to educate and inspire is by leading through example. We take great pride in how we grow, and certification gives us a clear, trusted way to communicate our commitment to natural growing practices.
Everything we grow is rooted in care and respect for nature. Our crops are cultivated without preservatives, insecticides, or synthetic fertilizers—so you can fully enjoy their flavor and benefits with complete peace of mind. Whether you’re using our herbs and saffron in your cooking or visiting the farm itself you can relax knowing you’re in a safe space surrounded by pure, natural beauty.
“We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it’s inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.”
~Charlotte Mason
Giving Back
Alicia and her family love supporting community connections and volunteer regularly with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Road Trip Crazies and at Fauna Haven Animal Sanctuary. Alicia also volunteers throughout the Charlottesville/Albemarle community as a Master Gardener intern.