Le Jardin de la Bardonnière’s social media channels
Very local networks: the Collectif Court Circuit and Gens du Bocage et du Marais
Since our beginnings in 2007, we have helped to co-found the Collectif Court Circuit in the Marais Breton: a local association that connects farmers and local residents, notably through the distribution of local and organic produce across five collection points in the Marais Breton region. The Collective also works to encourage and facilitate new farmers setting up (zero-interest loans, land monitoring), and to organise group events for discussion and practical activities (friendly picnics, farm work parties, farmers’ festivals). The association is a member of the Paysans de Nature network and has very close links with the LPO Vendée and the local association Gens du Bocage et du Marais, an organisation that brings together local farmers to defend small-scale farming, support new farmers setting up, and take part in events.
Organic network in the Vendée and Pays de la Loire regions
Le Jardin de la Bardonnière is a member of the GAB (Groupement des Agriculteurices Bio) in the Vendée and receives technical support from the CAB (Coordination des Agriculteurices Bio) in the Pays de la Loire region. Yannick takes part in numerous market gardening discussion groups and is a member of the CAB’s steering committee for market gardening technicians.
These are incredibly valuable networks for organic farmers. It is mainly through these networks that Yannick has been learning the trade of market gardening since 2007.
Regional ‘Accueil Paysan’ network
Since 2015, Louise has been actively involved in the life of the association Accueil Paysan Pays de Loire. As a member of the Regional Board of Directors and co-chair of the Vendée department, she works primarily to develop the Educational Home Committee: discussion and practical groups, training courses, and links with partners to raise awareness of the farms in the Accueil Paysan network.
Network of market gardeners in the Pays de Retz
Since setting up in Bois-de-Céné in 2007, we have forged strong bonds of mutual support with a network of around thirty organic and small-scale market gardens in the Vendée and Loire-Atlantique. This forms a network that we, the market gardeners of the Pays de Retz (85 and 44), refer to amongst ourselves – market gardens and small-scale fruit farms that have been working in synergy since 2007. This network has developed gradually in a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere.
