Edmonds Community College graduates build environmental educational facility in Italy

IMG_5048 copy
Edmonds Community College graduates Antonio and Kiersten Baiamonte are building a sustainable educational study abroad facility in Italy. (Photo courtesy of Edmonds Community College)

Two graduates from Edmonds Community College, Antonio and Kiersten Baiamonte, are building a sustainable educational study abroad facility named, Bio-Monte, Retreats, Tours, and Education in Tuscany, Italy.

The Baiamontes, a married couple, want to connect with students and educators to transform the land they have found in the Chianti region of Italy into educational organic vineyards, olive groves, vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, and medicinal herb gardens.

The profit gained from the products they produce will go towards scholarships to bring students to study at their facility.

They are currently running one-week tours and retreats for students and eco-minded tourists, but plan on expanding their program to provide a longer and more in-depth study abroad experience.

The Baiamontes signed up for the Edmonds Community College study abroad program spring quarter 2011 with assistance from Jesse Aspree, Associate Director for Global Engagement and Contracted Services for the International Student Services department.

“Jesse helped make our study abroad possible through endless encouragement and a plethora of options on how to make study abroad affordable and attainable in our careers as students,” Kiersten Baiamonte said.

While studying abroad, the Baiamontes were inspired by the landscape and the culture. When they returned to the U.S., they immediately wanted to go back to Florence.

They returned to Florence in May of 2013 and found three charming farmhouse style apartment buildings or mini villas and a grand main house, which was run by a knowledgeable Tuscan married couple, who loved their idea of turning the facility and its 40 acres into a place for people to come and learn about the Tuscan way of life.

The Baiamontes knew they had found the perfect location to bring students and guide them in a life changing experience like the one they had been blessed with.

Part of the program will consist of specialized retreats and eco tours of the Tuscany region including wine, cooking, yoga, and wellness, which are all focused on giving their guests authentic, cultural interactions and experiences so that they leave Italy having learned the universal languages of food, wine, and culture.

They are both currently seniors at Western Washington University completing their studies in urban planning and sustainable development.

“Our end goal is to become a completely self sustaining facility and leave zero carbon impact/footprint,” Antonio Baiamonte said.

  1. Ciao! Antonio Baiamonte here, Co-Founder and Manager of, Bio-Monte, along with my beautiful and talented wife, Kiersten Elisabetta Baiamonte, just wanting to send our sincere thank you to “MyEdmondsNews” for picking up our story and sharing it even further! Grazie mille! If anyone would like to contact us about tours, retreats, and/or educational opportunities feel free to visit our website: http://www.agriturismo-vb.com or email us at info@agriturismo-vb.com. We specialize in building unique itineraries full of authentic experiences. All of our tours, retreats, and educational opportunities are completely customizable, so gather your friends, family and loved ones, tell us what you would like to do and we will make it happen!
    We have 6 upcoming retreats: May 15 – 22 “Cooking in Chianti”, May 28 – June 4 “Wine & Wandering”, September 1 – 8 “Yoga & Wellness”, September 10 – 17 “Cooking in Chianti”, October 1 – 8 “Yoga & Wellness”, October 10 – 17 “Wine & Wandering”, November 5 – 12 “Cooking in Chianti”.
    Again, thank you for the opportunity to reach your readers and share our story!
    Cheers,
    Antonio & Kiersten Elisabetta Baiamonte
    Co-Founders, Bio-Monte
    Tours, Retreats, and Education in Tuscany
    Specialized Retreat Directors & Coordinators

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.

By commenting here you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please read our code at the bottom of this page before commenting.