A BIODIVERSITY NETWORK AT L'ESPINETTE FARM

This involves planting 1,035 meters of single-row hedge, totaling 2,070 plants.
Combined with cereal sowing and subsequent dwarf white clover, all elements are in place to recreate shelter, cover, and movement corridors for wildlife in agricultural plains.

PROJECT SUPPORTED BY

INITIATED BY OSCAR, CLAIRE AND EMMANUEL GHAYE, FARMERS AT ESPINETTE FARM

The Ghaye family manages Espinette Farm in Beauvechain. Passionate about their environment, in 2014 they decided to switch to Organic Farming to use environmentally friendly practices. This primarily involves large-scale cereal cultivation in Organic Farming. Flour is then produced on the farm. Legumes and vegetables are also produced seasonally. Finally, Espinette Farm is a place of openness and support for human-scale and sustainable production, thanks to the creation of the Jardins de l’Espinette, where market gardeners develop their activity on test plots in collaboration with GAL Culturalité.

In 2022, our paths crossed, and together we developed a single-row hedge project.

The Ghaye family, farmers in Beauvechain.

Flour production and farm sales at L’Espinette Farm.

FOCUS ON THE TREES TO BE PLANTED!

Initially, a first objective was to plant 664 meters of single-row hedge. This project is part of the mobilization of PlantC and the Province of Walloon Brabant around the collective project “Co-building the ecological network in Walloon Brabant“.

Support for hedge planting in Belgium — Emmanuel Ghaye, a farmer in Beauvechain. We can clearly see the line separating the two plots. The hedge will be planted at this location.

And after a complete visit of the plots, we decided to add a second additional objective of 371 meters! In total, the project will therefore aim for 1,035 meters of hedge.

Top-down view of the 1,035 meters of hedge in Beauvechain. — Aerial view of the hedge’s location in pink and the minimally impacted area in red.

This will be carried out on a cultivated plot located in Beauvechain, this autumn-winter 2022/2023.

The planting will take place on tilled and sown soil (herbaceous cover that will act as “mulch”). Various species will be used from the following: hawthorns, field maples, dogwoods, viburnums, elderberries, alder buckthorns, privet, bird cherries, wild roses, and hazelnut trees.

Each species will be planted in groups of 3 to 5 plants, with 2 plants per linear meter. In total, nearly 2,070 plants will be planted.

Regarding mulching, it will involve sowing winter cereals before planting, which will be laid at the base of the hedge and serve as mulch. In the autumn of year N+1 after planting, the planting of dwarf white clover will be evaluated.

As you will understand: this hedge will play an important role in the ecological network of this Walloon Brabant area. The planting represents a food resource and refuge areas for agricultural wildlife! Another objective is targeted: an anti-erosive function by contributing to the preservation of soil quality and better water percolation in the soil. It also aims to delineate organically managed plots from neighboring crops managed according to traditional agriculture.

Anti-erosive hedge planted in Beauvechain, Belgium — Runoff flow and the hedge’s relevance.

Let us also remember that we are now preparing agriculture’s resilience to climate change. Planting 1 meter of hedge sequesters 117 kg of CO2 over 20 years.

The planting is scheduled for November 2022. We will be sure to publish information on this key stage and on the hedge’s growth.

The Planting Implementation

The planting took place during winter 2022-2023. Despite overly rainy days, an early frost, or summer temperatures in winter, the planting was carried out smoothly on site, thanks to the services of the company de Bergeyck.

Hedge establishment
Prior sowing of wheat and clover
Emmanuel Ghaye and the planting team
Mechanical planting of the single-row hedge
Ecological network in agricultural plains
Compaction at the base of the hedge after the planter’s passage
1,035 meters of hedge line

A Project Made Possible by Strong Partnerships

To be frank. This was a very large-scale project. Its realization was made possible thanks to strong partnerships with Walloon Brabant and Trafic :

Indeed, this project is part of the mobilization of PlantC and Walloon Brabant around the collective project “Co-building the ecological network in Walloon Brabant“. Walloon Brabant contributes up to 70% of the project! To learn more.

Also, thanks to its TakeCare sustainability program, Trafic supports large-scale hedge planting projects in Belgium. The objective is to work for climate and biodiversity on our national territory. To learn more.

Visit to the Planting in 2023

In early June 2023, we visited the Beauvechain plot. We were able to walk along the line and observe that the hedges are developing well within the wheat sown in winter. The recovery rate is over 80% and the recent rains have been beneficial for the hedge’s vitality. Indeed, the hedge’s growth was hindered by a very cool and very dry spring.

We were accompanied by representatives from Trafic. Indeed, we appreciate bringing our contributors for an Immersion, on site: not only to observe the project’s realization and its follow-up, but also to meet the farmers behind the project. A great opportunity to ask questions as consumers to our valued producers. The company Trafic, an impact partner, was able to discover the farm, the mill, and the importance of the ecological network in agricultural areas. We were able to discuss cohabitation among farmers, drought, and also herbivore pressure. A moment rich in information!