Cows in the shade of a conservation orchard in Soumagne

Allow us to tell you this wonderful story of a committed family, of enlightened farmers, a passionate planter, and a conservation orchard. 84 fruit trees were planted in autumn 2023 in the Pays de Herve region. Beyond the conservation of heritage, it also aims to conserve and preserve the region’s landscape. The objective is also to create refuge and food zones for biodiversity. Finally, the shade necessary for dairy cows, whose milk is directly used in the production of quality local products.

FROM A SEED OF AN IDEA TO AN ORCHARD OF 84 TREES…

The initiative belongs to Frédérique, the passionate one, and her husband Jean-Didier Michel, who contacted PlantC in 2022 to share with us a very strong ambition in terms of planting!

Jean-Didier is a farmer’s son. His father, Philbert, 84 years old, is a retired farmer and co-owner of the premises. The family can explain the origin of this orchard project to you!
All generations of this family have planted. Philbert arrived in Ayeneux in 1950. He came from Sart-les-Spa and was about twelve years old. During his youth, fresh out of agricultural school, he grafted trees in the meadows surrounding the farm. Today, only one pear tree remains from these plantings. The others reached the end of their life or were uprooted by storms. Jean-Didier himself, when starting his family, planted some apple and cherry trees.

SYNERGY BETWEEN LANDOWNER AND OCCUPYING FARMER

However, the project does not only concern the Michel family! Indeed, Frédérique and Jean-Didier were able to unite around this project the farmer occupying the plots, Colyn Farm. The latter is located in the heart of the Pays de Herve region. Their 120 dairy cows graze for most of the year, allowing them to produce quality dairy products!

Initially, the idea was to plant about fifteen trees. And by discussing with the Colyn family, who use the meadows, everyone quickly understood that it was possible and even desirable for them to think bigger: 87 trees to transform the meadows into orchard-meadows, while continuing to produce hay and host cows.

The Colyn family produces butter, yogurts, maquée cheese, and cheese from their cows’ milk on their dairy farm. In the production of Herve Cheese, Colyn Farm is a member of the Marguerite Happy Cow cooperative. This cooperative brings together all stakeholders in the dairy sector with the aim of producing fair cheeses with differentiated quality milk. The Colyn family therefore follows the Marguerite specifications to ensure their milk is of the best possible quality, and in return, we receive a fair premium.

COWS, TREES, AND SHADE

The originality of the project therefore lies primarily in this synergy between the landowner and the occupying farmer. Generally, the situation often encountered is the opposite!

Furthermore, it must be remembered that this project aims at the preservation of the environment, the landscape, the history, and the heritage of the region! Moreover, the orchard project makes perfect sense: with climatic hazards and during periods of intense heat, the well-being of cows and thus milk production are impacted. It is a matter of urgency to protect farm animals.

Finally, the shade will not be provided by just any trees. But rather by trees of ancient varieties originating from the Pays de Herve and its surroundings, which are threatened with extinction.

A CONSERVATION ORCHARD, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Given the effort to plant so many trees, it is worthwhile to include a whole series of varieties that have become rare on the Herve plateau. This contributes to diversity and opens up possibilities for future generations.

The idea originated with expert and planter Sébastien Pirotte, renowned in the region, who carried out the planting. The orchard will be partially composed of “conservation” varieties.

The conservation function of an orchard means that the varieties planted within it are not all varieties sold in nurseries. The varieties will include many from the Pays de Herve and its surroundings, which are gradually disappearing as the oldest fruit trees in the landscape vanish.

There were thus more than 1,300 known apple varieties in Wallonia! However, only 60 to 70 varieties are available in nurseries. This number is already remarkable but obviously does not allow for the preservation of all Walloon fruit heritage.
Among all these varieties, many are currently being “collected” and saved in the conservation orchard of the Gembloux Agricultural Research Centre, or in the too rare other private conservation orchards. But, even with these initiatives, all the varieties in question are far from being saved.

The idea of a “conservation” orchard is therefore to allow some of these varieties to find their place in situ in our landscapes. Future generations will thus be able to access them and, why not, find a new use for them. Regardless of whether the fruits produced are used or not, this type of orchard helps to preserve the region’s fruit genetic capital. Thus, we enable future generations to draw upon it for the needs of the fruit industry’s evolution.

A PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE GENERATION TO THE RHYTHM OF THE ORCHARD

Every summer and autumn is punctuated by harvests, cakes, compotes, juices, and Frédérique and Jean-Didier wish for their five children to continue this tradition.
“Even without being farmers, we remain very attached to this place, to these meadows, and to the cows they continue to host” and the family wants to demonstrate that it is possible to keep the orchard alive for a long time while making it as resilient as possible. A green haven near major roads and housing estates, Frédérique and Jean-Didier want to preserve and strengthen the biodiversity that inhabits this place.

“There are two good times to plant a tree. The most logical was probably 20 years ago. The best time is now.”

Frédérique and Didier

THE CONSERVATION ORCHARD

The orchard has existed since November 16, 2023.

84 fruit trees including apple, pear, and plum trees… distributed according to a precise plan:

Furthermore, the trees that will produce edible fruits are accompanied by agroforestry trees: sessile oak, common alder, chestnut, which will accompany the orchard and be useful for attracting pollinators, among other things.

VISIT TO THE CONSERVATION ORCHARD

Visit to the orchard this spring 2024 in the company of Frédérique and Jean-Didier. A wonderful moment shared in the presence of Solena, Railtrip Travel, Greentripper, Parallaxe, and DS Wallonie.

Certainly, the transformation of the landscape is already visible on Frédérique and Jean-Didier’s land in Soumagne. Moreover, it is excellent for biodiversity and the genetic heritage of the apple trees in the Pays de Herve region!