I received some unexpected news late this summer. The Scientific Council of PLAN
By Agatha Relota Luczo · October 8, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
I received some unexpected news late this summer.
The Scientific Council of PLANTA, a leading botanical research center in Sicily, notified me that I was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Minerva Prize for Biodiversity. Because the nomination came independently from the scientific community, it caught me completely by surprise.
The award recognizes contributions to botanical science, habitat protection, and the sustainable use of plant resources. Specifically, PLANTA highlighted our work on La Furtuna Estate—protecting wild habitats, preserving rare native species, and practicing regenerative agriculture.
When my husband Steve and I set out to restore land that had been uncultivated for centuries and planted 12,000 olive trees, we weren't looking for industry recognition. We were simply focused on long-term stewardship for generations to come.
This recognition belongs to our entire team across the estate, Bona Furtuna, and Furtuna Skin, together with our Chief Scientific Officer and PhD botanist, Pasquale M. Marino.
From the start, we designed the estate to work in harmony with nature, cultivating Italy’s wild “survivalist” botanicals that develop extraordinary nutrient density to thrive. At Furtuna Skin, we pair this regenerative farming with advanced science to protect those active bioactives from soil to bottle.
When an independent scientific body recognizes your agricultural model for biodiversity conservation, it means something profound about what you’re putting on your skin.
We are deeply honored as we continue this work.