When you are on the Main
Ring-Road, take exit n° 2 at
"Boccea-Casalotti-Primavalle" which takes you to Boccea
Road; turn left and continue driving for about one kilometre.
When you find a Q8 petrol station turn left to Casalotti Road.
After about 1.5 kilometres and at n° 251 of Casalotti Road turn
left to Valle della Quistione Road which ends at n° 27 which is
the 'Ovile' Farm.
'Ovile' Experimental
Farm
Situated between the
Aurelia and Cassia State highways (Rome-Casalotti), Ovile was
once the experimental farm of the CSAF (Centro di
Sperimentazione Agricola e Forestale); it is now the
peripheral section of the CRA-PLF and a centre for important
experimental work on conifers (Pinus spp, Cedrus),
valuable broadleaved species (Juglans spp, Prunus
spp) and for biomass (Eucalyptus spp, Robinia
pseudoacacia).
Because of the breadth of the genetic base of its collections,
aged between 10 and 30 years, the Ovile farm, with its 77 hectare
surface area, is acknowledged both in Italy and in the whole
Mediterranean basin as one of the principle artificial
conservation areas for biodiversity of species and genotypes as
regards wood species for cultivation. This farm also maintains a
considerable collection of species of trees and bushy plants
typical of the Mediterranean machis vegetation.
The farm has a number of buildings and other permanent structures
which serve as offices, stores, garages, workshops and housing
for its employees. It is equipped with refrigeration units to
conserve propagation material (seeds and cuttings) and a
greenhouse. There is also a car pool and agricultural machinery
for use in the nursery and for cultivation purposes.
