FONDATION IRIS
AGROECOLOGY PROJECTS
Permacultural organic market gardening
Since 2011, the "Institut Sylva" association has conducted a research project on permacultural organic market gardening in conjunction with the SAD-APT and the Ferme biologique du Bec Hellouin. This study, completed in March 2015, has opened an innovative route by demonstrating the economic sustainability of permacultural micro-agriculture.
Fondation Iris considers that this type of environmentally respectful and innovative agriculture is a potential solution to various environmental problems which have been caused by industrial agriculture. Today, the negative aspects and limits have been clearly identified. This type of agriculture notably has the potential to restore degraded soils, watercourses, landscapes and biodiversity.
Fondation Iris supports a second research phase as well as seeding projects which promote the permaculture practices initiated by the Institut Sylva.
Advocacy for an innovative agriculture
with positive impacts
The Fermes d’Avenir association aims to:
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support the creation of agro-ecological farms and micro-farms,
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create reference documents and educational resources for the installation of vegetable gardens, farms and micro-farms practicing agroecology, permaculture and agroforestry,
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set up pilot projects and experiment with innovative farming practices in organic agriculture.
This association will carry out an advocacy whose first objective is to establish a quantitative and qualitative balance of the benefits of vegetable farms, applying agro-ecological practices and inspired by permaculture. It will also propose ways for decision makers and elected officials to remove the obstacles to the implementation of new projects.
Fondation Iris financially supports the creation of this advocacy.
Centre for agroecokogy in the domain of the Abbey of Saint-Gildas-des-Bois
In partnership with the associations Accès-Réagis and l’Oasis de Pen An Hoat, Terre & Humanisme is participating in the creation of an agroecological centre at St. Gildas-des-Bois, Loire Atlantique, France. Its purpose will be to promote the agroecological approach (objectives, findings, technical knowledge, know how, practices and scientific process) throughout the Grand Ouest (western France) area.
The Fondation Iris supports the following actions:
- Territorial diagnosis
- Coordination and programming
2nd European seminar on pollard trees
Pollard trees can provide wood for energy, lumber, bedding or fodder according to the needs. They act as a sort of local renewable production plant.
The tadpole tree contributes to enriching its environment by providing leaves and fine roots that decompose annually, therefore restoring precious mineral elements to the soil. The trunks of pollard trees form numerous cavities and cracks that provide an attractive living space where diverse wildlife find refuge and food. Trees are an efficient and sustainable way to store carbon dioxide, responsible for global warming, and transforming it into fertile material, useful for agriculture. They improve water infiltration into the soil, thereby preventing the risk of soil erosion, and pump out excess nitrates and pollutants from the water. Finally, their windbreak effect reduces hydric stress on associated crops.
The development of agro forestry has reinforced the interest and visibility of tadpole trees in rural landscape. This 2nd European seminar organized by the Association Française d’Agroforesterie on March 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2018 at Sare in the Pays Basque, France, has for ambition to provide the technical tools and means necessary to restore the territorial production of tadpole trees.
The Fondation Iris proudly supports this event.
