he exhibition Cultivating the Future: Agriculture, Energy, Community originates from the work of Research Module 1 of the flagship project FORMIDABILÆ, within Spoke 6. Curated by Carlo Berizzi and Nadia Bertolino (Architecture and Urban Design Research Lab, University of Pavia), the exhibition presents drawings and models that explore the role of the contemporary farmstead as a laboratory of innovation, sustainability and energy, bridging tradition and the future of the Po Valley rural landscape. The project, the result of the joint work of the research teams in Architectural Design and Electrical Engineering, proposes a reflection on the reactivation of Cascina Vialone, a traditional Lombard farmstead reinterpreted as an experimental model of the farm of the future—capable of combining environmental sustainability, energy autonomy, and community relations. The preview will take place at the former rice mill of Tenuta Vialone, during the 2025 Rice Festival, and will be accompanied by a roundtable discussion and a guided tour with the curators. Programme At 3:00 pm, before the guided tour, the roundtable “The Sustainability of the Farm” will open with institutional greetings by Ivana Maria Cartanì, Mayor of Sant’Alessio con Vialone. This will be followed by contributions from Stefano Lamberti (Tenuta Vialone) and Daniele Campari (Pro Loco Sant’Alessio con Vialone), who will illustrate the transformation of the former rice mill into a space returned to the community thanks to the PNRR. Carlo Berizzi and Nadia Bertolino will discuss architectural strategies and design scenarios for rethinking the farmstead as a community hub, while Norma Anglani (Laboratory of Electrical Energy, University of Pavia) will present an experimental approach to the use of clean energy in rural contexts. The roundtable will conclude with Marta Sempio, President of Confagricoltura Pavia, who will introduce the Spighe Verdi programme, promoted by Confagricoltura and FEE Italia, which recognises rural municipalities committed to sustainable land management policies. On this occasion, the Municipality of Sant’Alessio con Vialone will receive the Spighe Verdi 2025 Award, a recognition of the good practices implemented in the territory. At 4:30 pm, the guided tour of the exhibition will follow, led by the curators. Next dates After the preview in Sant’Alessio con Vialone, the exhibition will be open from 23 to 27 September 2025 at the Palazzo del Broletto in Pavia. The event is part of the Sharper Night Pavia programme and will be accompanied by a week of initiatives promoted by the research team, including meetings and public discussions on sustainability, agro-industry, and new energies.  

Spoke 6 invites local SMEs in the primary agro-industry to propose marketing challenges to the students of the Advanced Digital Marketing course at the University of Pavia. The goal is to develop innovative digital marketing plans to enhance the quality and authenticity of local products, improving consumer awareness and engagement both at an Italian and international level. The Students Challenges offer students the opportunity to interact with the corporate world, public bodies, associations and third sector bodies of the NODES project territories through the “learning by doing” method and provide an opportunity for companies to meet young talents and discover innovative solutions applicable within their realities.   Agenda  17:00 Welcome and introduction to the call Students Challenges 2025   Prof Hermes Giberti, PM NODES SPOKE 6 Dr Elisa Conz, course leader “Advanced Digital Marketing”   17:15 Awards ceremony Students Challenges 2024   Challenge proposed by Calatroni Vini Challenge proposed by Api dei Monti Challenge proposed by Rossetti e Scrivani   18:15 networking drinks   Date and address:   Thursday 16 January 2025, 17:00 - Aula Disegno - Università degli Studi di Pavia (Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 5)   A unique opportunity to discover how local SMEs can benefit from Spoke 6’s Students Challenges!   Register here!