In Chaumont-Gistoux, Christophe and Philippine Guillemot have been developing, for nearly five years, an outdoor pig farming operation. Although this activity is primarily a passion, the family’s commitment is total. This is why, for the sake of legacy, the couple is investing in this land which hosts about thirty farm pigs: The famous Chaumont Pigs!
In 2022, following the planting of a production orchard to provide shade for the animals, Christophe and Philippine decided to consolidate their ambitious project: to perfect the infrastructure in order to improve the well-being of their livestock while restoring the ecological network on their property.
The couple then met PlantC and, quickly, over 1000 meters of hedges were established.
Project Supported by
The Hedge: An Ecological and Nourishing Corridor
The first meeting with Christophe took place on March 1, 2023. We took the time to listen to his concerns, to determine the linear dimensions and functions desired for the hedge:
- to cut off from prevailing winds,
- strengthen the ecological network in connection with the orchard,
- provide shade.
It is thanks to the network of companies and projects federated by PlantC that the key players for this large-scale planting were able to meet.
Meeting many criteria eligible for its Takecare sustainability program, the company Trafic chose to co-finance the approximately 1000 meters of living hedges for the Chaumont Pigs. Completing this successful partnership, Christophe and Philippine then entrusted the composition and implementation of the plantings to professional planters, specializing in the design of agroforestry projects promoting biodiversity.
Local: A Priority
On December 13, 2023, the linear planting was carried out in the rain. Prior to this, close mowing was performed to facilitate the hedge’s implementation (nearly 1,700 hedge plants; we can tell you that the hoes were hard at work).
Field maples, hawthorns, buckthorns, hornbeams, birches, or elderberries*… A mix of more than 25 different species of native trees and shrubs, cleverly arranged, now encloses the pastures of the Chaumont Pigs. But let curious visitors not see this as an obstacle to meeting them: the Guillemot family will continue to locally anchor their passion through the production of quality meat, beautifully protected.
All that remains is to pass through the entrance…
Characteristics of the hedge project
| PLANTING | 1086m of hedges |
| PLANTING SEASON | Winter 2023 |
| *LIST OF SPECIES | Whitebeam, Single-style Hawthorn, Alder Buckthorn, Silver Birch, Field Maple, Norway Maple, Hornbeam, Cornelian Cherry, Common Dogwood, Dog Rose, Purging Buckthorn, Common Hazel, Common Walnut, Crabapple, Basket Willow, Goat Willow, Purple Willow, Rowan, Red Elderberry, Common Elder, Large-leaved Lime, Privet, Wayfaring Tree, Guelder Rose. |
