At this time of year, the Abbesse de Cormontreuil mill farm is at rest. It will not welcome a public before its reopening in April 2022. “We sent some animals to a winter colony”, smiles Sophie, one of the two founders of this educational urban farm, “The time for us to do the work, to review the enclosures, to re-grass …”. Normally, a hundred animals live here : from chickens to ponies through sheep, cows and even llamas!
Animals pampered by around thirty volunteers like Aurélie, who can be found near the llamas enclosure: “I come here as often as possible. It does me good, the place is calm and the contact with the animals brings a positive side on the morale”.
– Aurélie Jacquand
10,000 euros to build three buildings
On the occasion of the exhibition of mayors and local authorities which took place from November 16 to 18 in Paris,the Adrienne and Pierre Sommer Foundation Gave back ten prizes of 10,000 euros to ten educational farms located throughout France. A source of pride for the Abbesse mill farm: “It’s a real recognition”, say Sophie and Marie. Especially since since last year, the two women have been dismissed from their association, but their only income remains the paid entries and the services they provide to schools in particular.
This check for 10,000 euros will allow them to further develop their activity, by building three buildings to best accommodate the public : “Until then we had received them in tents, but it was not practical and therefore not heated in winter. There, one of the buildings will be heated, so it will be possible”. Heated by a stove, because the farm operates without electricity and only with the collection of rainwater.
– Aurelie Jacquand
When we welcome people with disabilities, they become caregivers and that does them a lot of good
In their farm, Marie and Sophie welcome children, but also sometimes residents of nursing homes or medico-educational institutes in the Reims area. They learn not to be afraid of animals, to respect them: “We teach them that animals are not bad as long as we do not attack them and that it is the same with their comrades”. And then there are the old people “Some have not had contact for a long time, so cuddling an animal brings back memories”, conclude Marie and Sophie.
– Aurélie Jacquand
The Adrienne and Pierre Sommer Foundation rewarded ten urban farms throughout France: Ane Autre FERME (53); Au Pré de Justin (69); Bordeaux Lac educational farm (33); The Farm in Trémargat (22); La Ferme Buissonnière (67); La Ferme du Fresne (44); The Ferme du Moulin l’Abbesse (51); Rainbow Farm (93); The Urban Farm of Calais (62); Les Bergeries d’Issy (92).