Le Jardin de Max et Nana, "La biodiversité a du goût"!

Agroecology, a seed of evidence :

Our vegetable gardenis not just a market garden, it's a small-scale, family-runbusiness on a human scale. Our farming activity is just starting up, and doesn't yet generate any substantial income.

The economic part is an ambition for the next 5 years more or less. Our project is growing step by step.

Since the end of 2016, a lot of work has been undertaken:plot development, land clearing, stump removal, terrace creation, mechanical shovel shaping, topsoil contribution, traffic paths, riprap, chicken coop on stilts, large communal composter shared with neighbors, restoration of the water catchment for the fountain, planting, revegetation, restoration of the wine press, restarting the bread oven, refreshing the gîtes, joining the Accueil Paysan network, logo creation, label printing, equipment purchases, parking.At the same time, we're juggling the renovation of our old farmhouse, our two jobs and our children. We don't spare any effort. Our desire and motivation drive us to develop our living space.

Our production is based on the concept of Agro-ecology, respecting the life of the soil and using no chemical inputs or synthetic fertilizers.

Our approach to gardening is multi-faceted: permaculturetechniques , biodynamics, biodiversity maintenance, creation of micro-plots and different spaces, pathways...

We use, for example, decoctions and sprays based on plants grown in the garden, organic fertilizers, manual weeding, soil cover, the introduction of Fabaceae and melliferous plants to encourage pollination. An organic beekeeper has installed around twenty hives on our plot.

We don't have the "organic" label, but we do adhere to the " Accueil Paysan" charter, an association and network offarmers and rural actors committed to peasant farming and sustainable, fair-trade tourism.

We have a total surface area of just over 1 hectare , but not all of it is exploitable due to the slope, the fragmented nature of the land and areas still lying fallow.

Vegetables, flowers, wild and aromatic plants, berries, trees, melliferous plants and fruit trees blend together to form a mosaic. Our aim is to create and maintain a high level of biodiversity through our choice of species, varieties and landscaping. Through these spaces, we aim to create a certain harmony.

Among these islands of vegetation are vine plants, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, blackberries, vegetable plants, ornamental flowers...

We also plant fruit treesas we go along , to create an orchard of diversified species within the vegetable garden, inspired by Agroforestry.

Apple, pear, quince, medlar, apricot, cherry, nashi, persimmon, hazelnut, chestnut, peach, nectarine, mirabelle, plum and male dogwood. The majority are heirloom varieties or grafted by Maxime. We gave priority to hardiness in relation to the climate and the taste of the fruit. For each species, we have chosen several varieties so as to spread out production with differentearlinesses .

Our production enables us to offer jellies, jams, pestou, hot sauces, apple, pear and quince juices, sorbets and more. They are processed on site from the berries, fruits and vegetables grown in our garden. Added ingredients such as salt, pepper, oil and sugar are organically grown.

Adding value to our products: choosing proximity above all else

Our products are sold directly from the farm, and we recently joined the nearby " Ruche qui dit oui" (hive that says yes) .

The "Co-créateurs" village association is also open to sharing, and communicates about our production.