Why does it cost that much?

Planting, protecting and maintaining a truffle grove is expensive. We don't include the cost of the land or our labour in the price calculations. Excluding things like fuel and wear-and-tear on more than ten agricultural machines used in planting and maintenance, here is a breakdown of some of the costs on a 50 tree grove:

• Truffle tree: 15-20 euros per tree (120 euros per tree for white truffle because mycorrhization is more difficult and biomolecular controls are conducted on every individual tree)

• Stake: 2 euros per tree or vine

• Plant fibre mulch and staples: 3 euros per tree

• Shade netting and stakes: 3 euros per tree

• Chestnut fence posts: 800 euros

• Fence mesh: 800 euros

• Fence wire and tensioners: 250 euros

• Border plants: 50 - 200 euros

• Re-seeding grove with truffe spores: 200 euros every 2 years

• Irrigation tanks: 400 euros

• Irrigation tube, sprinklers, and connectors: 400 euros

• Signage: 75 euros

• CCTV and solar power: 300 euros

• Food and vet bills for guard dogs and the truffle dog: expensive!

 

Why would I choose to invest with you?

(1) Verifiable: Unlike other tree planting services, our planting and maintenance of the trees can be verified in numerous ways. You can watch your trees being planted on Channel 4's 'Help! We Bought a Village' as well as tracking their progress on our Instagram and YouTube channel. You can visit whenever you like. We love working with our backers, and are always happy to discuss customisation.

(2) Investible credentials: We are highly accountable to investors and have investible credentials; co-director Dr Jerry O'Shea has a PhD from the University of Cambridge and co-director Lucie is a certified Independent Agricultural Entrepreneur in Italy (which involves 200-hours of agricultural training) as well as being about to complete her PhD from Cambridge. We have a more than 99.8% tree survival rate on the 2,000 trees we have planted so far. We work with a professional agronomist who is a Doctor of Forestry Sciences and specialises in truffle groves.

(3) The ideal land: our land is truly perfect for truffle cultivation. We have abundant active limestone, sun, natural and clean water all-year round, well-draining soil, and a variety of aspects and marl/clay-levels to grow all species of truffles. In fact, because our valley is so ideal for truffles, the only concern is stopping the natural truffles in our woodland from encroaching on the cultivated fields; this is why we dig a trench around the groves to stop the cultivated and wild roots intermingling, and, to be extra-safe, we also plant a border of plants that don’t host truffles, such as lavender, olives and grapevines, which act as a barrier against mycorrhized roots.

 

Is production guaranteed?

Yes. Production is guaranteed or your money back. Before planting, each site's soil is analysed by Regione Marche scientists to ensure that we plant each species of truffle in the ideal spot. The trees are sourced from a state-owned and scientifically-controlled nursery (white truffle trees come from the world's leading private nursery, who have proven success and are also checked by the state). The trees are tested for successful mycorrhization under a microscope as well as through biomolecular analysis.

 

Can you do corporate gifts or festive gifts?

Yes! We can discuss personalised labelling and branding of the truffles or our olive oil or honey. Truffles are PERFECT festive gifts because black truffles (melanosporum), autumn truffles (uncinatum), and white truffles (magnatum pico) are all available for harvesting in December! They also work very well as birthday gifts because at least one species of truffle is available year-round except April.

 

Don't people steal truffles?

One of the biggest advantages of investing with us is that we live on-site, so we operate physical and infrared-equipped video surveillance of the groves to protect the trees and truffles from animals and truffle thieves 24/7.

 

When will the trees start to produce truffles?

For black truffle (melanosporum) and white truffle, the first truffles can be harvested from the fourth to sixth year after planting. For summer and autumn truffles, the first truffles can be harvested from the sixth or seventh year after planting. One thing we've learnt from farming is that five years sounds like a long time but it flies by!

 

How much is 400g?

Mature truffle can weigh as little as 8g, but the average size for most of the species is between 30g and 50g, though some truffles can be much larger. This means you will receive around 10 average sized truffles each year, though you have the option to take a lot more than this at wholesale price, or we can offer the truffles to customers (in which case you get 25% of the profits).

 

Who owns the land?

We maintain ownership of the land, which makes the process a lot simpler and cheaper for the investor, avoiding costly agency, legal and notary fees. However, if you are interested in buying your own land and getting us to plant and manage groves for you, then we are happy to discuss this; please get in touch!

 

What happens after 20 years?

The trees stay in the ground. For most species, more work goes into pruning to maintain enough sunlight hitting the soil. After 20 years you can choose to extend your ownership for another period of time at a reduced rate, or work with us on a whole new planting project!