Organic market gardening using animal power
Agathe Oddon’s adventure began in January 2021 when she bought a 14-hectare farm in Saint-Michel, a village in the south-east of the Cœur de Garonne region.
Set in the idyllic surroundings of the Petites Pyrénées, Agathe now grows vegetables on 1,500 m² of open fields and in a 370 m² greenhouse. She plans to triple her outdoor growing area and double the size of her greenhouse.
Agathe is assisted by her partner Baptiste and her mare Églantine, who, using animal traction, works the soil without ploughing, in accordance with the principles of agroecology.
The vegetables are grown without plastic mulch; weeding is done either with the mare or by hand. Agathe keeps treatments to a minimum, notably by using beneficial insects such as ladybirds and mini-wasps. She also takes preventive measures by placing nets and covers over the crops to protect them from pests.
These agroecological principles thus help to reintroduce biodiversity into agricultural production systems. Great care is taken in the choice of varieties grown by Agathe. With no F1 hybrids, priority is given to heirloom and traditional seeds. These choices enable her to produce tasty vegetables with the best nutritional qualities, which everyone will appreciate for what they are truly worth.
For all vegetable purchases, Agathe offers:
- sales by order (no obligation) on Tuesday evenings in Saint-Michel (contact her on 06 88 68 22 64)
- her stall at the Salies-du-Salat market on Monday mornings
- From 1 July, vegetable boxes or farm sales at An 01 in Cazères, on the road to St-Julien
Horse and pony boarding
Agathe also welcomes your horses and ponies all year round. The horses graze in the fields in a herd, with access to the forest and water. The meadow plots are natural and certified organic; they are rich in a wide variety of wild species, providing complete and natural nutrition. The hay is produced on-site by Agathe herself and is guaranteed free from ragwort (a poisonous plant). The gentle slopes allow the horses’ joints to be exercised gently.
Approximate boarding fee: €100/month (depending on the horse and its needs).