Trees and animal welfare at the heart of Ferme de l’Espérance in Prouvy – Episode 2

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 and fodder for their animals by planting a single-row 320m hedge.

In total, 960 plants will be planted (hornbeams, small-leaved lime trees, ash trees, willows, hawthorns, elder trees).

Project Supported by

La Ferme de l’Espérance

Justine and Arnaud are leading an organic dairy production and processing project at Ferme de l’Espérance. With their 30 ewes and 10 goats of rare breeds: Lacaune, Thone, and Marthod ewes, 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. Justine manages animal health using plant extracts, essential oils, and fodder hedges. The diversified cheese production is mainly sold at the farm shop. Two cheeses from the farm have won awards at the Best Farm Cheeses Competition!

Trees and animal welfare at the heart of Ferme de l’Espérance

Justine and Arnaud have already planted 1,300 hedge plants. With PlantC, in 2022, 54 fruit trees and 8 agroforestry trees were added.

The orchard is doing very well, despite the loss of 4 individuals. The orchard is well maintained (training pruning), and the mulching with sheep’s wool and the application of manure are well executed (this helps retain soil moisture and limit herbaceous competition).

This encouraging result leads them to ‘re-vegetate’…

2024 Goal: 320m of fodder hedge

The species that make up the hedge were chosen for their tolerance to drought and the pH of the sandy-loam soil, which tends to be acidic.

Here is the list of plants: Hornbeams, small-leaved lime trees, hazelnut trees, hawthorns, willows, and elderberries will form the hedge for the enjoyment of the goats and ewes of Ferme de l’Espérance.

The work took place on February 6, 2025, in slightly drier conditions. Indeed, it has been over a year since we have had, shall we say, abundant rainfall conditions:

Visit to the plantation in 2025

On May 15, 2025, we observed the successful establishment of the hedge shrubs, following their planting in February 2025.

We can only note that the hedge fits ideally into this Gaumais landscape. The establishment rate is very satisfactory, approaching 95%. We observed that Justine and Arnaud began applying sheep’s wool as a repellent (indeed, the strong smell repels game, which is fond of young hedge plants) and for mulching.

We had the pleasure of visiting the plot with the companies contributing to the project’s funding, notably Eurid. Justine and Arnaud had prepared a walking tour to discover the plantation, the herds, and thus the entire philosophy behind Ferme de l’Espérance’s planting projects since 2021. What a pleasure to see the sheep and goats already grazing under the orchard planted in 2021 via PlantC.

The day ended with a cheese tasting prepared by Justine and a visit to the goat farm, the milking parlor, and the laboratory. In short, a pleasant shared moment!

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