Before transitioning into agriculture, Lore Apesteguy engaged in arts center operations in Strasbourg, France, while Alexandre Chevalier, an engineering graduate, was employed in a corporate setting. The duo embarked on a journey in 2019 to northern Colombia to explore permaculture farming. Upon returning to France, their quest for agricultural opportunities led them to an innovative project in the southwest, aimed at cultivating the next wave of farmers through low-risk, small-scale, and supported initiatives, thus promoting ultra-local, organic, and low-carbon produce networks for urban consumers.
In the municipality of Pau, the "Green Belt" initiative offers fledgling farmers like Apesteguy and Chevalier affordable access to two-hectare plots of prepared and equipped farmland. This program aligns with their aspirations, providing a viable alternative to the challenging land acquisition process and the financial hurdles of securing bank loans. The Green Belt supports prospective farmers by connecting them with city markets, local restaurants, and a subscription service for food crate deliveries, alongside offering mentorship and technical guidance on advanced agricultural techniques.
At their farm in Rontignon, near Pau, Apesteguy and Chevalier cultivate over 40 types of fruits and vegetables, adhering to permaculture principles and manual labor to enhance flavor and minimize emissions. The project emerged in response to a potential local food system collapse, anticipated due to a high percentage of farmer retirements in the coming decade. The Green Belt seeks to address this by facilitating easier farm setup, reducing the stigma of farming's demanding nature, and ensuring market demand for produce.
With an investment of €200,000 per farm, partially subsidized through Europe's Common Agricultural Policy, the initiative offers a sustainable model through renewable annual contracts and progressive rent schemes. This approach has already resulted in the establishment of six organic farms, indicating potential for long-term agricultural transformation in Pau and beyond. The success of the Green Belt, recognized for its contribution to sustainable food systems, suggests a replicable model for addressing the global challenge of renewing the farming workforce amidst obstacles such as climate change, urbanization, and land competition.
Despite challenges like extreme weather and wildlife interference, Apesteguy views the Green Belt as a significant opportunity for a meaningful career in agriculture, demonstrating the project's potential to facilitate a new era of high-tech, sustainable farming in France and potentially, globally.
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