Ideally located near a cultural center, school, and daycare center, this farm will invite residents of all ages to participate in friendly workshops and events on permaculture, sustainable development, and biodiversity.

GOALS:

With this phased approach, the Cols Verts Rennes association, which is a member of the Cols Verts network, is pursuing several goals:

– Using urban agriculture as a tool for raising awareness and teaching residents about food.

– Creating a community center within a neighborhood of around 1,900 residents that can host workshops and events about food and agriculture.

– Reconnecting residents with their environment by bringing nature back into the neighborhood and reframing it as a place for friendliness and togetherness.

– Creating a very short food supply chain in which the producers and consumers come from the same neighborhood. Producing high-quality fruits and vegetables and selling them at low prices to residents. Giving them every reason to consume healthy, fresh, and seasonal products grown without chemical inputs.

– Training the unemployed about emerging professions in urban agriculture (gardening in small areas, small-scale livestock farming, fruit trees, and apiculture).

HOW?

Before actually “digging in,” the association decided to build ties and inform the beneficiaries of the project by organizing:

– A volunteer discussion meeting to raise awareness about the project and recruit motivated volunteers.

– A walk through the neighborhood to promote food-related initiatives.

– Collaborative events based on food and urban agriculture.

– Children’s workshops about food and agriculture.

This project is inspired by the Dutemple neighborhood farm located near Valenciennes. This admirable project headed up by the Hainaut Cols Verts helps people re-enter the job market, fosters a sense of community, and increases residents’ food independence.

This project was supported by the Louis Bonduelle Foundation during its winter 2017/2018 call for proposals.