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Traditionally renowned for its big agricultural companies, the Vallée du Bec, in French Normandy, is the place where
Charles Hervé - Gruyer decided to establish the small permaculture farm of the Bec Hellouin.

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The Bec Hellouin farm works directly with the various restaurants to provide them with seasonal vegetables.

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Former seaman, now back on the land in order to reconnect himself with nature, Charles Hervé-Gruyer founded the Bec Hellouin farm
to prove that an agriculture that respects biodiversity can be more profitable than the already existing models.

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One of the first goals of the movement Fermes d’Avenir, founded by Maxime de Rostolan, is that the “neo-rurals”, fascinated by the agricultural adventure, become professionals. His friendship with the minister of ecology Nicolas Hulot gives him a different vision:
he sees his movement as a political instrument that could change the agricultural sector.

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A few kilometers away from Paris, in the Ile de France region, horticulture worker Laurent Berrurier fights to preserve some vegetable species normally overlooked by the consumers, in favour of biodiversity, and to protect his seeds, inherited from parents and grandparents.

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In order to create a perfect environment for biodiversity, the founders of la Ferme du Bec Hellouin have also dug artificial lakes and islands

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Some of the instruments used at the Ferme de Bourdaisière for a meticulous work inspired to permaculture.

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Laurent Berrurier with the seeds of one of his cabbages, that he inherited from his father.

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The hands of Laurent Berrurier at work.

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One of Laurent Berrurier’s greenhouses.

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A young intern at work in one of the greenhouses at the Ferme de la Bourdaisière, where “normal” working hours
are respected, which is not common in the agricultural world.

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Plants at the Ferme de la Bourdaisière

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A lot of the employees at the Bec Hellouin are volunteers willing to learn about permaculture from Charles and Perrine Hervé-Gruyer.

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One of the greenhouses at the Ferme du Bec Hellouin.

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Work instruments at the Ferme de la Bourdaisière.

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Work instruments at the Ferme de la Bourdaisière.

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One of the greenhouses at the Ferme de Bourdaisière.