Talking about Anna Monaldi, a fearless agricultural entrepreneur from Monte Giberto
(Fermo) and the project 'The Aleppo evolutionary mixture', allows us to touch on a variety of
extremely 'hot' topics such as biodiversity versus the homogenisation of species driven by
genetic modifications, the definition of ethics of the industrial protections of mutations
created on heritage assets owned by Humanity – like cereals – the challenges against
climate change and the extremization of temperature peaks, the respect for Nature, the
using of pesticides and other proven toxic chemicals in the name of the right to global food.

But let´s start in order.
Anna Monaldi, Anna to us, is a vibrant, dynamic connector of people, ideas, projects. She
combines a strong perseverance in achieving set goals with equally surprising creativity and
flexibility of free thought. A strong supporter, I would add, of the absolute priority to work
as a team. A rather unusual philosophy of living in this territory.
Purely in the sacred respect of free action.

Anna believes, and is among the few enlightened ones, in the work of two Italian geneticists
– Salvatore Ceccarelli and Stefania Grando – who, after moving to Aleppo in Syria, collected
seeds from 2000 varieties of traditional non durum wheat, laying the foundations for an
evolving population. The 'mixture' arrived in Italy in 2010. It's important to point out that an
evolving population preserves biodiversity, allowing dominant varieties to adapt best to the
host environment, embracing and valuing the climate conditions, soil properties, and the
natural rhythms. Not to forget, keeping great varietal diversity alive is the best Natural
weapon against unwelcomed, wild plants, insects, fungi, and diseases.
All this by creating fields so dense that they form natural barriers against pests and
attackers. Hitting their 'attack protocol' with Napoleonic maneuvers and thus reducing their
strength of aggression. Anna is a ‘little big woman’, I would definitely say it. She convinces
and attracts two more local entrepreneurs, creating 'Cerere Picena'. Cristiano Tuzi and
Giuseppe Monaldi. Fast forward to 2024. Anna meets Sirio Cingolani, a lay missionary
working on the Ethiopian highlands. With him and with the help of the apostolic prefect of
the area, Father Angelo Antolini, a new challenge borns. A few kilos of seeds were delivered
to Ethiopia and successfully planted, tolerating the arid climate well. With the support and
involvement of the local geneticist Dejene Mengistu, the first fields succeed and the areas
used quickly expand.

Despite the lack of support from the local government, which favours intensive mono-
cultures aided by chemicals in the name of quantity rather than quality, our team's
perseverance is stronger and more tenacious.
And David defeats Goliath once again.



 I tried, needless to say, the Mixture of Aleppo flour myself. It took me less than 30 minutes
and just two ingredients. Water and flour. A small pan and a fire of course. To make a
delicious, crispy, ultra easy to digest focaccia-bread. Cook faster, eat smarter, stay healthier.
PS – why not …I dressed it up with medium fruity local extra virgin olive oil, a clove of garlic,
salt and rosemary. Fantastic!

— Enjoy Marche