THE TREE AND ANIMAL WELFARE AT THE HEART OF FERME DE L'ESPÉRANCE IN PROUVY

Justine and Arnaud produce and process the organic milk from their sheep and goats of rustic breeds. Animal welfare is central. Our two farmers wish to provide shade for their animals by planting an orchard and agroforestry trees. In total, 62 trees have been planted (fruit trees, oaks, lime trees, wild service trees, wild cherry trees).

Ferme de l’Espérance was a winner of the “An Orchard for Tomorrow” competition conducted in partnership with Pressoir d’Hortus.

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THE STORY OF FERME DE L’ESPÉRANCE

Justine and Arnaud are carrying out an organic dairy production and processing project with their 30 sheep and 10 goats of rare breeds: Lacaune, Thone, and Marthod sheep, Zwartbles, and Lorraine goats. A small flock of Ardennes Red sheep raised with their mothers produces quality lamb meat, making use of less productive pastures.

The pursuit of animal welfare is a core value: animal health is managed using plant extracts, essential oils, and forage hedges. The diversified cheese production is mainly sold at the farm shop. It is therefore no coincidence that these choices led to two of the farm’s cheeses being distinguished at the Best Farm Cheeses Competition!

Justine and Arnaud make and sell their cheeses at the farm.

Justine and Arnaud are leading a project of organic dairy production and processing with their 30 sheep and 10 goats of rare breeds.

Artisanal cheese making by Justine and Arnaud.

THE TREE AND ANIMAL WELFARE AT THE HEART OF FERME DE L’ESPÉRANCE

Justine and Arnaud have already planted 1,300 hedge plants and intend to further develop the agroforestry aspect of their farm. That is why PlantC has decided to support them!

The planting project is comprehensive: the planting of 54 fruit trees and 8 agroforestry trees.

For the latter, it involves the planting of Quercus petraea (sessile oak), Quercus cerris (Turkey oak), Quercus frainetto (Hungarian oak), Tilia cordata (small-leaved lime), Sorbus torminalis (wild service tree), Prunus avium (wild cherry). Each species is present once, except for the sessile oak and small-leaved lime (2 specimens of each species).

The species were chosen for their drought tolerance and the pH of the acidic sandy-loam soil. Furthermore, lime trees and wild cherry trees are already well-represented in the landscape. Finally, Hungarian and Turkey oaks are southern species. These species are currently being tested in certain forest arboretums, with a view to adapting our forests to climate change.

Young container-grown plants were used. This provides greater drought resistance. They were planted at the same time as the orchard (autumn/winter 2021-2022). Each plant has a stake, with ties and compost added.

Planting carried out in winter 2021-2022.

The establishment of a grazed orchard allows for the development of fruit and juice sales at the store, as well as cider production!

FIRST EDITION OF THE “AN ORCHARD FOR TOMORROW” COMPETITION

Justine and Arnaud’s project was selected following the “An Orchard for Tomorrow” competition and public vote. It is conducted in partnership with Pressoir d’Hortus.

Through this competition, PlantC and Pressoir d’Hortus SC wished both to highlight a sustainable economic project that combines grass, trees, animals, and farmers, and to provide the financial boost that enables the creation of a profitable pre-orchard ecosystem.

Discover Justine and Arnaud in video.

THE ORCHARD IN 2022

The orchard planted in a curve to respect the alignment of the plots and the landscape.

Spring and summer 2022 were very hot and dry. This resulted in early “watering” alerts. The trees were closely monitored. Nevertheless, 15 trees were damaged by one of the goats, Geisha. These trees have already been replaced on November 26, 2022.

Like a Rembrandt painting, a photo from this summer that testifies to the dry conditions experienced in 2022.

Geisha attacked the trees, Justine and Arnaud had to adapt.

Arnaud gives us a tour of the orchard, which is thriving thanks to elevated protection, following Geisha’s attacks.

Manure and wool at the base of the fruit trees.

ORCHARD VISIT IN 2023 WITH GREENTRIPPER AND RAILTRIP.TRAVEL

In June 2023, we were able to conduct a visit to the goat farm, learn about the sheep-goat cohabitation, and observe how work is carried out in the milking parlor. This was in the presence of two impact companies, Greentripper and Railtrip.travel, contributors to Justine and Arnaud’s project. After that, we were able to carry out a mini transhumance to the orchard!

It is evident that the orchard is doing very well, despite the loss of 4 individuals. Also, we can see that the orchard is maintained, that the mulching with sheep’s wool is well done (this helps retain soil water and limit competition from herbaceous plants), and that manure is applied. Finally, the rain was welcome again this year! A small tasting of goat cheeses produced at the farm concluded this journey!