Panier Culture is a project of market gardening started in 2012. Developed by Sophie and Denis, it relies on a motivated collective. It is therefore human-scale market gardening. While the pursuit of taste is the main driver of this project, the respect for the soil and the affordable prices are other pillars. PlantC has chosen to support their diversified orchard project.
The Panier Culture project has always gone beyond that of a vegetable basket. It aims to create a community of individuals sensitive to quality agricultural production, seeking more flavorful varieties over the plant’s pure profitability. All while developing techniques increasingly focused on respect for soils.
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An orchard, finally!
The orchard has always been a central point of the Panier Culture project. After a first location was made available to get started, then another, in a valley bottom suffering from late frosts, this orchard project could never truly materialize.
In 2020, Panier Culture finally had enough space to set up an orchard. In 2021, the land was affected by floods. It is therefore in 2022, 10 years after its beginnings, that this long- awaited project truly begins.
Renaissance with trees
After complicated seasons (late frosts, shop closure during COVID, floods), the orchard stands as a symbol of a rebirth for Panier Culture. It represents a new breath of life where it can finally integrate agroforestry to cope with these events.
This idea stems from two observations: trees bring an entire ecosystem and biodiversity to the land; they are essential in several respects. Through their organic contribution, they will enrich the soil and thus offer the market gardening project a long-term vision.
Knowing the lifespan of trees, which is far superior to ours, Sophie and Denis wish to thereby leave future generations richer soil than when they started.
A true laboratory orchard
The planting of trees is above all a gamble for tomorrow: how to make the right choice of fruit trees according to their location, according to the nature of the soil? How to face new climate challenges? How to choose varieties while being torn between today’s sure values in terms of taste, the rediscovery of old varieties, and the testing of new varieties for tomorrow? Which fruit trees are most resistant to diseases to avoid chemical treatment, while still paying attention to taste?
It’s impossible to know everything; the idea of Panier Culture is to surround themselves with experienced people:
- PlantC, which coordinates the planting and mobilizes its network to assist the project with advice, logistics, and funding.
- Sylvain from the Hortus press cooperative, in charge of advice and the planting itself.
- Michel Charlier, a horticulturist in Gourdinne, has created an orchard with over 200 different fruit trees over the past 20 years. He shares his experience and the varieties that thrive in our region.
- Pierre, from “Bois de Rode,” who will guide part of the future selections with his “laboratory” nursery in choosing exceptional new species.
50 different trees were planted on December 3, 2022, in this plantation, thanks to careful consideration of balancing traditional and discovery varieties. The very short supply chain also allows Panier Culture to pick fruits when they are ripe. Finally, sheep will graze a part of this orchard.
The challenges of this project
- The 1st challenge is to grow the trees to guarantee quality, flavorful fruits. Varietal selection is therefore driven by taste and designed to withstand long transport and storage.
- Contribute to the profitability and financial autonomy of the overall project. Offer fruits in a local circuit at an accessible price to all. The commercialization of fruits will be offered via baskets or direct sales in a small shop located in the village and its surroundings.
- Finally, the last challenge is to welcome the public to the site through educational visits and activities, to present the entire project and offer a sharing of experience.
Beyond the orchard, Sophie and Denis wish to create a richer and thriving ecosystem.
To enable the deployment of the orchard (in parallel with the market gardening project). PlantC supported the purchase, planting, and protection of the trees.
A 100% recovery
During our visit with the contributing companies, we observed that the orchard is thriving. The 50 funded fruit trees are in place, the mowing has been done, and all that remains is to welcome the sheep soon.
