Italian university farms provide a crucial support for teaching, research and innovation transfer in the agrofood, forestry, environmental and even social sectors. In order to point out their current values and weaknesses, and to start reflecting on possible development strategies, a survey was realised. The main weaknesses emerged concern the availability of the required data, in particular economic data, and the economic sustainability of these farms, especially with regard to staff costs. Moreover, the survey made it possible to outline for the first time a cognitive framework of the Italian university farms, thus creating a useful database for future updates and insights. The chapter offers also a description of a recent experience of “urban farming” in Udine, the so called “University Vegetable Garden” for for self-production of organic vegetables.
