Leon Admiraal and Babette Dejong made a dramatic life change in 2010 when they left their careers in Holland to become market growers in Vayres, Haute-Vienne. From builder and accountant to full-time vegetable farmers, the couple now cultivates a wide variety of produce on four large greenhouses and 1.4 hectares of land. Their farm, Le Petit Haricot, is steadily working toward organic certification.
Their goal is to harvest at least 10 different vegetables every month throughout the year, with summer months yielding even more. Growing around 35 varieties annually, they offer both popular staples and unusual vegetables such as pak choi, red kuri squash, and aillet—young, sweet garlic with a leek-like appearance. Their vegetables are sold directly to the public through a farm shop, via Facebook orders, and in affordable vegetable boxes.
In addition to their farm shop, Leon and Babette sell at the Sunday market in Angoulême and supply local restaurants and other shops. Leon often includes recipes in their veggie boxes to help customers explore new flavors and dishes, fostering a sense of community and creativity around their produce. Customers frequently share photos of their culinary creations, deepening the personal connection.
Looking ahead, the couple is expanding into micro-greens with the help of a newly built cold room to support year-round growth. While they have no plans to process or preserve their harvests, Leon and Babette remain focused on fresh, seasonal diversity and nurturing the strong relationships they've built through their love of farming.
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