Women Innovators in Italy - Birch Sap Initiative #056

Agnese Rostagno founded Biula – Linfa di Betulla, a sustainable agricultural initiative in Melle, Val Varaita, Italy, harvesting birch sap from a municipal forest. The project, launched during the Covid-19 lockdown, uses low-impact extraction methods to preserve tree health and supports local environmental stewardship. Certified organic since 2022, the sap is pasteurised with organic lemon juice and distributed through local sustainable food networks and herbalist shops. The initiative promotes women-led entrepreneurship and reduces reliance on imported birch sap, contributing to regional sustainability and economic resilience.