Background & challenges
Aurélien and Pierre are winegrowers in the Ain region. Both highly committed, they want to “propose healthy products and services that respect the environment, through work that enhances the value of living things [people, plants, soil, animals]“. So, in 2022, they obtained organic farming certification. Now they want to take their mission even further. As well as banning chemicals, they want to apply the concepts of biodynamics (currently in the process of obtaining Demeter certification), agroforestry, and permaculture.
The project involves setting up an agroforestry and permaculture system – the practice of planting trees and crops – in this case vines, on the same plot of land.
Agroforestry is interesting with regards global warming since, on the one hand, it provides shade for the vines.. But the major advantage of this project lies elsewhere: when trees are integrated into crops, a symbiotic root network develops in the soil between the trees, fungi, and vines. This invisible network is called mycorrhiza. It increases the root absorption surface area by a factor of 10 and pools nutrients and water for all the plants involved in symbiosis. If, for example, the deep roots of trees seek water or potassium deep down, they give it back to the mycorrhizae, which redistributes it to the vines.
The aim of planting 1,510 trees of 12 different species are as follows:
- to improve water management in the Vallière catchment area;
- restore degraded soils to make them more fertile;
- boost biodiversity on and around the plots (flora and fauna);
- create a microclimate to protect the vines from the effects of climate change, and
- set an example for other winegrowers in the region and across France.
Project type
Agroforestry and permaculture
Beneficiaries
Winegrowers, students, future winegrowers, members of chambers of agriculture, vocational training trainees
Number of trees
1,840 trees/shrubs planted to establish (and expected) 1,510 trees after 20 years
Species planted
More then 20 different species
Partner
Perma Vinea and La Cuverie
Walnut, Junglansregia
Hazelnut, Corylusavellana
Albizzia, Albizia julibrissin
White Mulberry, Morus Alba
Weeping willow, SalyxBabilonica
Wood Privet, Ligustrumvulgare
Field Maple, Acer Campestre
Plum Reine Claude, Prunus domestica
Pear tree, Pyruscomunis
Viburnum, lantana Hornbeam
Dogwood, Cornus
White willow, Sali x Alba
Viburnum, lantana Viburnum
Camellia, Loniceraxylosteum
Willow, Sali x Viminalis
Fig trees, Ficus carica
Wood privet, Ligustrumvulgare
Judas tree, Cercissiliquastrum
Hawthorn, Albispinum
White ash, Fraxinus americana
Vine peach, Prunis persica
Works timeline
- March and April 2024: constructing the diversion bays, ditches, pools, central drain and terrace
- Winter 2024/2025: tree planting
- 2025 to 2028: tree monitoring and maintenance
Planting partner
Bringing together five technicians specialised in permaculture in viticulture, PermaVinea will support the technical deployment of the project throughout its implementation and monitoring.
The mission statement of La Cuverie is “respecting the environment, consideration for people and our heritage through innovative, fun, and inclusive initiatives”.
Budget
The total budget to be raised is €43,790, i.e. €29 per tree planted, broken down as follows:
- 95% earmarked for the planting project, broken down as follows:
- Planting and replanting: €4.22
- Mulching: €2.5
- Protection and stakes: €3.5
- Technical advice: €5.5
- Monitoring over three years: €4.5
- Permavinea coordination, project management, and communications: €3
- Collection, monitoring, and communication costs for A Tree For You (12.93%): €3.75
- and 7% (€2.03) to cover A Tree for You’s overheads.
The farmers are self-financing the soil preparation, planting, and maintenance stages, set at €43 per tree.
