When we work with, rather than against nature, great things can happen: soil is healthier, biodiversity richer, and crop yields higher. Perrine Hervé-Gruyer learned this first-hand when she and her husband created The Bec Hellouin farm in Normandy, France in 2006. Determined to work in harmony with nature, and with no previous farming experience, they gave up their successful careers to build a market garden based on the principles of permaculture. And the results have been ground-breaking.

In this episode of Food Matters, Perrine joins host Mick Kelly of GIY to talk about this fascinating 20-yr journey of creating one of Europe’s most renowned market gardens, how she overcame some of the unique challenges that she faced along the way, and how we can all work a little more closely with nature when it comes to our own growing practices. They also discuss:

·      The sceptical reception they received from their new neighbours due to their unorthodox farming practices, and what happened next. 

·      Some of the practical ways in which they created a more harmonious relationship with nature. 

·      How their by-hand approach achieves yields of up to ten times those of mechanised farming. 

·      The critical role that animals have played in the success of The Bec Hellouin farm.

·      Why she believes permaculture is the key to true food sustainability 

GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.

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