After a two-year hiatus due to the health crisis, the “Farm Meetings” operation, organized by the FDSEA and Young Farmers (JA) in the Vosges, is back in operation. The goal for the 6 participating farms? Show the universe and everyday life in their jobs. “There is nothing better than a farmer in his environment to talk about his daily reality,” says Christiane Lambert, president of the FNSEA.
Among the structures that responded positively to the outdoor event: the GAEC des Lilas, Jumeaux and Haut des Hayes, the SCEA Sautré and Chevrier and Vincent Maillard farms. A committee to illustrate the diversity of the agricultural world in the department and to approach its overall function from animal management to understanding biological circuits to machine use.
And because agriculture goes from field to plate, catering will be offered this Saturday. On the menu: farm specialties such as minced steak or fromage blanc. Through this gourmet offer, the organizers want to make the public aware of “local dining” and at the same time make them accept the idea of having to live with a farm near their home, “with all that entails”, explains Philippe Clément, president by the FDSEA.
Educational meetings
“Discovering a cow is a bit like going to the moon,” reports from the mouth of a child, a mistress from Thaon-les-Vosges, during school meetings on Friday at Vincent Maillard’s farm in Domèvre-sur-Durbion.
For if the children of the Vosges are quite accustomed to rubbing shoulders with the rural world, it is not obvious that they always understand it. “I learned what a beef cow was, I thought they were just making milk,” Elona wonders with her peers, both amazed and curious. “It’s an opportunity to get close to animals you do not know and find out what they are eating,” the young Calvin jumps with joy. By welcoming more than 1,300 children to the farms, the organizers and farmers also hope to promote future vocations. “If we manage to give birth to the germ just on two or three children, it will be won,” says the breeder of the blonde Aquitaine breed, Vincent Maillard. With more than 240 professions, we want agriculture to find its future professionals thanks to its open doors.
More information on Facebook “Rencontres à la ferme 2022.”