The Fattoria Autonoma Tabacchi was founded in 1911 by the decision of 6 farmers. The 6 were not induced to take the initiative by a well-defined program but by the contingent need to overcome a difficulty that had suddenly arisen: the collapse of the Bastogi Syndicate on whose behalf they had been growing tobacco for years. The prestige of the promoters, who were known as shrewd farmers, induced others to follow their example; the line, in short, grew.

The increased size of the company required that a corporate discipline be given to the relationship that had been created between the participants in the initiative; in 1924, with 230 associated farmers and 700 hectares of tobacco cultivated, the Farm took on the guise of a "Civil Company", the most labile form of social relationship; the choice fell on the "Civil Company" because they did not want a legal entity to oppose the persons of the Members, that a share capital had an interest to protect in contrast with that of the Members and that a will inspired by different purposes would take over. In other words, they wanted it to be the sum of the Members and not an entity distinct from the Members. Thus, the phase of spontaneous organization was followed by the phase of finalized and programmed organization.

The original and, if you like, anomalous “Fattoria” formula was successful: in the short span of years, the Fattoria grew in size until it became the largest concessionaire and the obligatory point of reference for those dedicated to tobacco cultivation.
Having overcome the political difficulties of that time and rejected the greed of those who intended to attack its autonomy, the Fattoria faced the vicissitudes of the war period with active serenity and, relying on its own strength, not only repaired the major damages of the war, but accelerated the pace of its growth, confirming itself as a leading company in its sector.
After the Treaty of Rome, establishing the EEC, was signed, the Fattoria faced reality and, without worrying, prepared to operate under a market regime. This realistic and responsible attitude attracted the uncontrolled reaction of those who could not adapt to giving up the many privileges that the monopoly regime guaranteed and exaggerated. The attacks to which it was subjected did not deter the Farm from carrying out its renewal programs.

In order to realize a much broader and more organic program, F.A.T. created the Pro Agri Consorzio Produttori Agricoli Società Cooperativa a responsabilità limitata, thus starting the third phase of its growth which placed it at the center of a large system.

But if we look closely, if much has changed, the plan of the 6 promoters has remained unchanged: the 6 undertook the enterprise to overcome a difficulty and to overcome the difficulty they joined forces; the difficulties that farmers face even today are many and affect all sectors of agricultural activity.

The "farm" in the sharecropping agricultural organization was the unifying center that coordinated actions and interventions, that managed resources and that prepared production programs; once the sharecropping agricultural organization had become an episode, management problems had grown, a previously unknown level of technical and administrative capacity and exceptionally large investments were required, it became essential to create a new unifying center that had the means and tools to allow comparison with the new realities and, above all, with the market.

This unifying center is the Farm which has the means, capacity and imagination that give it a contractual strength that frees its Members from the subjection of the market.

The Farm proposes with facts an original model of association based on voluntariness and interest: a new way that allows to achieve the results that, in other countries, different organisms pursue, but, without coercion, without constraints, without miraculous expectations; above all in complete freedom.

The new management model that the Farm proposes, if it does not flatten the most accentuated economic differences, offers everyone the possibility of accessing the most sophisticated operational tools while respecting the freedom of individuals.
The above is to outline the influence of the FARM in the industrial economic development of the district. It has contributed greatly to the evolution of the socio-economic conditions of the inhabitants of Città di Castello, so much so that the memory generates deep nostalgic feelings.

Times are changing, fortunately for us, and the Farm is ready, as always, to change by adapting its means and its operational programs, in the most absolute respect of the original spirit. New supranational organizations appear in the political economic landscape and dictate new rules. The weak influence of the EEC and subsequently the authoritative presence of the European Union has made adjustments to the organizational chart of its institutional and operational structure necessary.

Cultural aspect exercised by the company broadcast Radio F.A.T., a tool for spreading parodies of songs, glimpses of company life, satirical pieces and newsreels proposed with the “no objection” of Dr. Silvio Donadoni. August 1951.