This project is supported by L'Occitane en Provence France.
Context
Since 1945, 750,000 km of hedgerows have been uprooted as a result of land consolidation and growth of intensive cerealing in France. As a consequence, a whole reservoir of biodiversity disappears. What is more, we urgently need to find diversified economic models to keep our farms going. Agroforestry is a solution to the erosion of biodiversity and the preservation and diversification of natural and cultivated resources.
Agricultural ecosystems are both a cause (monocultures or intensive livestock farming) and a solution to the erosion of biodiversity and the preservation of resources. Planting trees and hedges helps to establish a virtuous production model that regenerates ecosystems, recreates habitats for wildlife and makes them more resilient. Planting trees and hedges is a long-term solution. Indeed, once planted, they require little maintenance, provide shelter for local wildlife and act as a pantry, while storing carbon in the soil, limiting erosion and providing sahdow and well-being for local residents.
Supported Project
In 2024-2025, L'Occitane en Provence France supported 5 agroforestry projects runned by Fermes d'Avenir to recreate natural agricultural ecosystems beneficial to local biodiversity while providing healthy food for humans.
More and more farmers want to plant trees on their farms and carry out agroforestry projects to recreate rich natural ecosystems and diversify their farm's economic activities. Fermes d'Avenir helps them setting up a project tailored to their farm's economic and technical profile, and to select the adapted tree species and cares so that they can reach full maturity and bring the expected ecosystem services.
This project strives to put tree growth at the heart of the 5 farming systems in order to recreate habitats for wildlife, by designing agroforestry projects that take into account the various economic, societal and environmental issues, and in particular the protection of biodiversity. Trees are home to many crop auxiliaries, provide shelter and cover for many animals and help to curb erosion while storing carbon on a long-term basis.
Some Figures
Budget 50,000 euros
Goal 450 hectares preserved
Goal 5,000 to 12,000 trees planted
Goal 25 to 45 plant or tree varieties protected
Goal 19 beneficiaries
Photo credits: ©Fermes d'Avenir, ©Groupe SOS.
