Creating an Ecological Corridor Between Two Woodlands on François and Émilie’s Farm

A Family Farm in Transition

After the passing of their uncle, François and Émilie de Bellefroid took over the family farm with the ambition of gradually converting it to organic farming.

Rather than undertaking an immediate conversion, the new farmers chose to devote several growing seasons to a preparatory phase of responsible conventional farming.

This transition period serves several complementary objectives:

• gaining a better understanding of the agronomic functioning of the plots,
• identifying any soil imbalances,
• assessing the production potential of each cropping block
• and rethinking certain plot layouts in order to sustainably prepare for the future organic conversion.

Alongside this agronomic work, the farmers also aim to develop the farm’s ecological network.

The goal is to establish agroecological infrastructure before the organic conversion, capable of fully performing its functions from the very first years of the new farming approach.
In this context, PlantC has designed a 12-meter-wide ecological corridor running the full length of an agricultural plot. Bordered by two double-row hedges, this feature will connect two woodlands currently separated by cultivated land.
Beyond its role in ecological connectivity, this corridor aims to strengthen habitat continuity for wildlife, improve conditions for beneficial crop organisms, limit certain erosion phenomena, and contribute to the site’s landscape diversification. Its establishment reflects a long-term vision in which ecological infrastructure becomes an integral part of how the farm operates.