Keith Richmond, from United Kingdom to Tuscany

A long trip. Born in UK, educated in the USA. Now he is a farmer who produces an high-quality extra virgin olive oil "against the elements, rising costs and bureaucracy"

by L. C.

Born in the UK in 1940 and educated in the USA, I have lived in Italy since 1964. I bought Boggioli in 1975 and, after years of commuting on weekends from Rome (where we both worked), my wife and I came to live here permanently in 1997. Our only product is high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Why do you decide to make business in farming?
I have always lived in the country and have never liked living in a city (except in Rome). Above all, I bought a property in Tuscany that had several hundred olive trees!

Do you feel more a peasant, a farmer or a business men?
In the beginning more of a ‘contadino’, but then as I learnt more from friends and neighbours more of a farmer.

A definition of farming.
A constant battle against the elements, rising costs and bureaucracy that can only be fought with passion and pride in a good product.

An adjective for defining the world of farming.
It is like a game of football. We all know that the object is to get the ball in the net, but while the game remains the same the rules keep changing, often without the players’ knowledge or involvement. More and more regulations, more and more referees on the pitch at the same time – and it gets harder and harder to get that ball into the net!

A keyword for the future of farming.
Encourage small producers and make it easier for them to sell their products locally (the recent growth in Italy of the ‘mercatali’ is an excellent example of this). It would also be important to differentiate between small and large agricultural businesses when it comes to imposing expensive and time-consuming regulations on hygiene, safety etc.

A model men.
In the worlds of politics and religion no one. With regard to olive oil, I would put on a pedestal someone like Marco Oreggia, who knows what he is talking about, is passionate about it and risks his life to stick to his principles.

Someone to… go to the hell.
The person who says, “Why should I spend more than 3 euros for a bottle of extra virgin olive oil?”.

A book concerning the rural world you’d suggest to read.
The Worm Forgives the Plough, by John Stewart Collis, describes rural England during wartime, a vivid portrait of old-style farming and life in the country during difficult times.

Your favorite book.
Homer’s ‘Odyssey’: it has everything.

Your favorite song or composition.
Prokofiev’s first violin concerto.

Your unforgettable movie.
The Third Man.

What would you like to find after passing away?
Peace.