There is a submerged legend beneath the waters of the Mediterranean: Ferdinandea, a volcanic island that, for a brief moment in 1831, emerged into the world before being swallowed again by the sea. A fleeting presence, yet rich with meaning. Today, that name still lives on, not among the waves, but in the rolling hills of Sicily, where Serra Ferdinandea tells a story of rebirth and connection. Here, Cecilia Carbone has transformed a forgotten plot of land into a thriving agricultural ecosystem, an example of how past and future, nature and culture can intertwine to create a new model of sustainability.
But Cecilia’s story is much more than that. It is a journey that spans continents and passions: from music to finance, from Liguria to New York, finally landing in Sicily, where she has found not just a physical home, but an ideal one. A place where the land, like language, becomes a tool for forging connections, exploring ideas, and facing the challenges of our time. And so, among ancient grains, vineyards, and Sicilian black bees, the conversation with Cecilia Carbone is not just about an agricultural project. It speaks of vision, courage, and the unique strength that arises when different worlds meet. Because, as we will discover, no island is truly an island.
REMIDA meets CECILIA CARBONE
L: Cecilia, tell us about your journey.
C: I was born in Genoa but grew up in Hong Kong because of my father’s job. After the conservatory, I studied economics and finance at Bocconi, though at first, I wanted to pursue applied mathematics. During university, I worked at a brokering firm in London, but it wasn’t the right path for me. So, after graduating, I went back to my parents in Liguria and started working as a waitress in a restaurant. That’s where I met a customer who offered me a job in New York. I moved there and began working with Italian brands in the food industry. Then I decided to leave everything behind and take a road trip through California, where I realized I wanted to study at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo. It was an incredible experience, and thanks to one of my professors, I met Alessio Planeta. He asked me, “Do you want to come work with us?” I had never been to Sicily before, but I said yes.
L: What is Serra Ferdinandea?
C: Serra Ferdinandea is a dream turned into reality. In 2019, I moved to work on a project that combined agriculture and sustainability. Along with Planeta and a French family, we found a piece of land near Sciacca, an area that hadn’t been touched by agriculture for over 400 years. We wanted to demonstrate the agricultural potential of Sicily while creating a model that respects biodiversity and the land. Today, we have 110 hectares, 60 of which are forest, which we cultivate biodynamically. We have vineyards, ancient grains like ‘Perciasacchi’ and the Sultano chickpea, but also 250 white fig trees and many Sicilian black bees. It’s a true agricultural organism where every element is interconnected. Our goal is not just to produce, but also to preserve. Serra Ferdinandea aims to be an example of how agriculture can be resilient, especially in an era of climate change. I don’t think it’s a model to copy, but rather a laboratory from which to draw inspiration for improvement. I want it to be a place for dialogue and exchange, where new solutions for the future can be imagined.
L: Do you feel at home in Sicily?
C: Home, for me, is a place where I can make a difference. It’s not so much about geography, but about possibilities. In Sicily, I feel like I can get my hands in, I can build something. Serra Ferdinandea has given me a sense of order, allowing me to connect all the experiences I’ve had. Here, I am able to do things I truly believe in, and that makes me feel at home.
L: What does the world mean to you?
C: For me, the world can be summed up in three words: empathy, mobility, and conservation. Empathy is the ability to share genuine emotions. Mobility means valuing resources and finding balance, even in agriculture. Conservation is about leaving a better world for future generations, a legacy they can be proud of.
L: And what value do words have?
C: Words are fundamental. They are our business cards, what defines us. I learned from my grandmother, who was a linguist, to respect them and use them carefully. Today, though, I find that language is losing its value. It’s too fast, too superficial. In the agricultural sector, in particular, there is little awareness of the potential of words as a tool for identity. I believe there is a need for more patience because speaking – like farming – takes time.
L: Any plans for the future?
C: I would like Serra Ferdinandea to become a model of regeneration, not just agricultural, but cultural as well. I’d love to develop agricultural systems to regenerate lands devastated by war. And, above all, I want our project to be a place for dialogue, where we can address the major issues of our time.
If Serra Ferdinandea is a place that speaks of connections – between land and sea, between past and future, between agricultural tradition and climate challenges – Cecilia Carbone shows us how a system can be a living laboratory for cross-pollination. Where ancient grains converse with Sicilian bees, where vineyards coexist with figs, and where each element contributes to creating something bigger.
This is where true innovation happens: in the ability to connect different elements and give them new meaning. Because in the end, the land, the islands, and life itself are just vast open systems. Every connection counts. Make it count: supernova@remidastudio.com.
PHOTO CREDIT: LETIZIA CIGLIUTTI
