Alessandra Pighin is a horticultural entrepreneur from Rivignano Teor (Friuli Venezia Giulia), where she works with her husband in their family nursery, Floricoltura Odorico. With roots in farming since childhood, she has helped steer the company towards a model that blends tradition, environmental protection, and innovation. Located in a highly regulated riparian area along the Stella River, the nursery specialises in ornamental plants and species suited to this delicate ecosystem. Alessandra has championed water-efficient cultivation, biodiversity conservation, and reduced-impact production methods. A central achievement is the creation of a large-scale rainwater recovery and recycling system, enabling the company to collect and reuse up to 40,000 m³ of rainwater per year, significantly reducing groundwater use and strengthening resilience against drought. Her commitment to sustainability extends to biological control, inspired early in her career by observing how chemicals affected plant moisture. She now promotes more natural plant protection methods and engages in active knowledge-sharing with schools, local communities, and the University of Udine. In recent years, the business has faced significant challenges, including severe flooding in July 2023 that damaged structures and interrupted operations. Nevertheless, Alessandra views the event as a moment of shared resilience, reinforcing the team’s commitment to rebuilding and further strengthening their sustainable practices. The ongoing recovery underscores the importance of their water-focused innovation and the deep connection between the company, its landscape, and the community it serves
Alessandra’s work shows how a family-run nursery can thrive while protecting a fragile environment, turning innovation and responsibility into long-term resilience.
