Non-profit create a syntropic forest garden and learn about ecology in Espinasse, France

Details

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  Description

  Hello! My name is Émile. After many wanderings, I've landed in the Combrailles, an hour northwest of Clermont-Ferrand, in the Puy-de-dôme region, in France. The Combrailles is a large region of sparsely populated hills, with a lot of bocage.
  
  The association I run has been in existence since 2021. I contribute to it full-time, and the few other members contribute occasionally. The association's main goal is to promote and practice agroforestry, particularly syntropic agroforestry, and especially forest gardens. Its purpose is also to help other individuals or groups do the same by providing them with advice on design and planting, seeds, plants, and anything else that can help remove the obstacles that agroforestry project holders may encounter.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Hitchhiking

  

  Animals

  

  History

  

  Music

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Books

  

  Architecture

  

  Gardening

  

  Languages

  

  Plant care

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Nature
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I would be happy to share what I know—based on your interests—about agroforestry and syntropic agroforestry, forest gardens, ecology, gardening, the dynamics of life, such as ecological succession, soil formation, the soil food web, the life of plants, trees, and shrubs, their yields, and their uses. I would be just as happy to meet you and learn from you! Everything we have to share comes from fellow humans we've met along the way in the first place, doesn’t it?
  If agroforestry, in all its forms, is flourishing today from one end of the world to the other, it is all the more our future! I invite you to be part of this by creating forest gardens that are both truly productive and havens for wildlife.
  Here are a few things you’ll find in the immediate vicinity: the bocage landscape and its diverse wildlife, meadows and forests, streams, ponds, and waterfalls, a relatively small population, friendly people, a large Buddhist monastery, a Family Planning association, markets (including a regular free market), collective and associative activities such as woodworking or sewing workshops, games, a choir, ...

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  Help

  I'd like to welcome people with a positive interest in agroforestry, and in general in practices conducive to life in and above the soil, etc., who are keen to learn and exchange on these subjects.
  
  Some of the association's current projects:
  - Planting and taking care of a fruit hedge around the playground of the elementary school in St Gervais d'Auvergne, with the children.
  - Supporting several agroforestry projects in the Combrailles region: sharing research on species and varieties suited to the soil and climate, helping with design, etc.
  - The first plantings of a forest garden using syntropic agroforestry began in winter 2024. The next steps: continue planting the first 1000m² forest garden, plant a hedge around it, and plant an additional 190m² dedicated mainly to biomass production. Particular attention is being paid to providing a variety of habitats for wildlife, from ground beetles to birds and hedgehogs.
  - The forest garden includes three small ponds, which we have started to dig, and the creation of a large pond (9m by 15m) is planned for this summer.
  
  Daily agricultural activities vary depending on the season. Here are a few examples:
  Preparing the soil for planting, such as moving mulch and compost, placing and removing tarps, forming paths and planting beds with trees, shrubs and vegetables, creating dry hedges, etc. Harvesting seeds, sowing and taking cuttings, propagation. Creating ponds, watering...

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  The house, which overlooks the one-hectare land, is quite large, and comfortable. In winter, we heat with a wood-burning masonry stove on the ground floor, where the living areas and kitchen are located. I offer vegan meals, which everyone seems to enjoy! We cook meals together, sometimes taking turns depending on how many of us there are.
  There are two bathrooms, and it's worth noting that the toilets are composting toilets.
  The upper floor of the house is dedicated to welcoming people passing through, with a comfortable dormitory that can accommodate 4 people and a separate bedroom.

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  What else ...

  Moïra the cat also lives here, and you’ll likely run into friends or family members who are visiting.
  The closest public transportation option is a bus that stops 15 minutes away from the house. I don’t have a driver’s license or a car to pick you up there, but there are several options depending on the situation.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  Moïra

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