Agroforestry and ecosystem restoration initiatives

Fermes d’Avenir

Think Human Fund

Mission & History

Fermes d’Avenir is an association of the « Groupe SOS » that has been supporting the development of agroecology since 2013.

Its mission is to accelerate the agricultural transition in France, by growing agroecological farms throughout the country. Its vision is illustrated by the Flower of Agroecology: farms that feed the population with healthy and quality food, while preserving the planet’s natural capital and guaranteeing a viable, livable and resilient activity for farmers.

To implement this vision, the team of around twenty people organizes the programs around 4 poles:
• Tools: to discover and document models of agro-ecological farms that successfully combine environmental and social commitment with economic performance.
• Training: in theory and practice, to give the next generation of farmers the keys to successfully setting up and sustaining their farms
• Support: to accelerate the development of agro-ecological projects led by farmers, local authorities or companies
• Financing: with Blue Bees, the French participative financing platform dedicated to agro-ecology and sustainable food.

Country Information

Since 1945 in France, over 750,000 kilometers of hedges have been lost due to land reparcelling and the shift from extensive livestock farming to intensive cereal cultivation. The coverage of hedges and tree lines has been declining since 2006 (source: Agreste 2014). As a result, a significant reservoir of plant and animal biodiversity is disappearing.

The Need

Since 2020, the Fermes d’Avenir association has been aiding farm projects that reintroduce trees into agricultural systems. Farmers increasingly seek to plant trees to restore ecosystems and diversify their farm activities. Designing these projects requires expertise in aligning with the farm’s profile, selecting local species, and ensuring proper tree care for optimal growth and ecosystem benefits. These projects enhance environmental performance and offer economic benefits, such as timber, energy wood, fodder, and fruit, while also fostering local social engagement through community tree-planting efforts.

The Project We Fund

Earl Champ d’Eau: Louisette and Rodolphe live on 145 hectares in Loiret, and mainly cultivate large-scale crops. The project has two major components. First, hedges will protect their plots from phytosanitary drift from conventional neighbors. The second part is to set up a poultry trail, by planting fruit trees in the poultry parks. One of the farmers’ ideas is that customers coming to the farm can freely pick the fruit while enjoying the company of the animals. Finally, the trees will provide wood energy to the farm, Louisette and Rodolphe wishing to move towards autonomy for their farm.

EARL Les Epiés: Christine and Thierry Sabin settled in 1994 on their 75 ha farm in Bonchamp-les-Layal. The farm is a certified organic dairy cattle farm, which processes and sells its cheeses directly on the farm, or through short supply chains. The trees will provide different services to the cattle workshop. They will act as windbreaks, they will provide shade to the animals, and they will create a microclimate to limit the water stress of the meadows in the summer season. Finally, the hedges will allow the segmentation of the paddocks for dynamic rotational grazing. In addition, the hedges will allow the connection of the areas of ecological interest already present on the farm, they will be a place where biodiversity can take up residence and feed.

The Result

Fermes d’Avenir’s agronomists will assist with agroforestry projects by offering expert support in the following areas:

Part 1: Plantation Design

– Conduct soil and climate analysis with farm visits and sampling.

– Collaborate with farmers to set agroforestry goals based on their farm model and objectives.

– Develop technical designs for agroforestry plots.

– Select suitable tree species tailored to soil, climate, and farmer needs.

– Provide advice on tree viability, including planting, maintenance, and financial projections.

– Source and negotiate tree seedling supplies.

– Organize participative tree-planting events in regions such as Pays de la Loire and Ile-de-France.

Part 2: Biodiversity and Technical Monitoring

– Advise on practices to enhance both wild and cultivated biodiversity.

– Conduct monitoring visits over 3 years to ensure optimal tree recovery and ecological benefits.

Part 3: Project Communication

– Create case studies for each agroforestry project.

– Continue educational and communication efforts to raise awareness and secure funding for new projects.

Impact will be tracked by monitoring the plantations for 3 years to ensure their success, tree survival, and optimal development, aiming to maximize their impact on carbon storage.

2025 Midterm Report

Fermes d’Avenir made significant strides in supporting local agriculture initiatives. Their efforts included aiding two farms with tree planting projects, focusing on creating sustainable environments and enhancing farm productivity. At the Earl Champ d’Eau farm, they planted 395 trees in March to provide shade and fruit for chicken farms, planning to introduce a further 545 trees in December. Meanwhile, at Rabelière Farm, 513 trees were planted to foster biodiversity beneficial for vegetable farming.

Their actions directly impacted three farmers, exemplifying the potential for low-tech solutions to facilitate ecological and economic benefits. The planted trees have greatly contributed to ecosystem services, including water purification, climate resilience, and economic stability.

Testimonies

“I had wanted to plant trees on the farm for a long time but didn’t dare, and I didn’t have the time to start on my own. With Fermes d’Avenir, everything is well explained during the support process, and our goals are taken into account.” -Rodolphe and Louisette Daubignard-

“Being in the Paris region, I initially turned to urban agriculture with internships and seasonal missions. The birth of my children strengthened my conviction to contribute to a sustainable lifestyle, rooted in nature and especially connected with the countryside. The project thus transformed into market gardening. We decided to move, and after a long journey, we chose Touraine and found the house where we are now, with land that allows me to establish my farm. Planting trees has allowed me to promote biodiversity on my land.” –Thomas Zimer-