Tuber Next Gen tour stop at the Vittone institute in Chieri
Date of the event:
On 3 November 2026 the "B. Vittone" agricultural institute in Chieri hosts the first stop, among Piedmont's agricultural and forestry schools, of the tour of the Tuber Next Gen project, promoted by the Piedmont Region. The initiative aims to pass on to new generations the knowledge needed to preserve the region's truffle-growing heritage [1].
How it unfolds
Together with the regional councillor for truffle cultivation (Tartuficoltura) Marco Gallo, students at the Chieri institute plant new truffle-bearing saplings grown in regional forest nurseries, and study the practices used to protect and manage truffle grounds (tartufaie). The meeting also covers forest nurseries, the management of natural and cultivated truffle grounds, and the measures supported by the 2023-2027 Rural Development Complement. Students are also introduced to PAC GAME, a board game designed by CREA to familiarise players with the rules of the common agricultural policy, and watch a documentary on truffle hunting and digging (cerca e cavatura del tartufo), a practice recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2021 [1].
After an opening meeting in Alba, the tour continues in Chieri and will go on to Rosignano Monferrato on 25 November and to Ormea on 10 December; a stop in the province of Asti is still being arranged [1].
The Turin hills and regional funding
The Chieri stop is also an occasion to highlight the truffle-growing character of the Turin hills (collina torinese). According to new soil-suitability maps drawn up by IPLA, 31 municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Turin are suited to growing the prized white truffle. Chieri is the municipality with the largest area in the high-suitability class, at 452 hectares, rising to about 807 hectares if the medium class is included. In Rivalba, host from 6 to 8 November 2026 of the national white truffle fair of the Turin hills (Fiera nazionale del tartufo bianco delle Colline Torinesi), the high- and medium-suitability areas reach about 811 hectares. In 2025, more than 300 truffle hunters were active in the Metropolitan City of Turin [1].
In 2026 the Piedmont Region allocates €358,190 to protecting the truffle-growing heritage. Of this, €306,810 funds an annual allowance for the owners or holders of land with trees recognised as producing prized white truffle, who commit to preserving them for five years under a cultivation plan while guaranteeing free truffle hunting and picking. Applications can be submitted until 15 December 2026 [1].
Councillor Marco Gallo states: «The new maps confirm that the Turin hills are a truffle-growing area in their own right. There are 31 suited municipalities here and a heritage of natural truffle grounds to safeguard. Protecting it also depends on the commitment of the tree owners: the Region grants them an annual allowance in exchange for caring for the trees and guaranteeing free hunting. The truffle remains a heritage belonging to everyone» [1].
Sources
- TorinoOggi — 3 November 2026