Did You Know

The Voltaorecchio “Nardi System” Plow

In 1893, Francesco Nardi immigrated to the United States from his home in Umbria, leaving his wife, Maria Annunziata, behind in Italy to direct the farm and their children’s upbringing. In only two years Francesco established himself as a true pioneer.  In 1895, he brought back the design for a new plow, which he developed and called the Voltaorecchio. The new plow was so monumental that in 1903 it was named the “Nardi System” by the American Encyclopedia of Modern Agriculture. This plow became the first of many highly successful machines developed by Francesco’s business, Nardi Francesco e Figli. Silvio Nardi’s new designs greatly contributed to the revolution that transformed Italian agriculture at the beginning of the 20th century. Their pioneering was reestablished in 1952 and 1953 when Casale de Bosco was declared “the most groundbreaking agricultural firm.” The Nardi agricultural machine company, among the largest in Italy, continues its innovative tradition in Umbria today.