PRODUCER & TERROIR
35-year-old Nicolas Buard grows several types of fruit, including vine-grown peaches, white peaches, apples and cherries, as well as grain. He started work in 2009, when he took over and simultaneously extended the family farm. Teamwork and sharing are what matter most to Nicolas. This is why, when he set up a small farm shop, he trained a young woman from the local village before giving her the chance to manage the business herself. As he puts it, «I’d prefer to share what I have, so that everyone can earn their crust».
« Our pears taste so excellent because they are grown on the sediments of the Rhône. »
Pear farmer and irrigation manager for the area
GROWING TECHNIQUES
The Subtle Art of the Pear Tree
Arboriculture is a hard profession. It takes seven years for trees to bear fruit good enough to go to market. As such, Nicolas takes great care of his. Today, his objective is no longer to increase the quantity but the quality of his fruit: As he puts it, “it’s not about making more but doing it better”. This is a key reason why he turned to zero-pesticide-residue farming. It has enabled him to halve the amount of treatment he gives his crops compared to traditional methodologies. In fact, he stops treating them altogether several months before the harvest, so there is no trace left on our fruit. He is also driven by personal beliefs, in that he is “a consumer first and a farmer second”, as he has said time and again. Moreover, during pruning, all lopped branches are chipped and the remains left at the trees’ base to provide them with organic nourishment and fertilize soil the natural way.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ACTION
Preserving Water and Ecosystems
Nicolas is very worried about climate change. He has seen the harvests arrive at different times each year and is wondering to what extent his crops will be affected. He is considering the improvements he could make to protect the region’s orchards. In Nicolas’ view, water will be the future’s greatest challenge. As president of the Farmers’ Association, he is making investments that will manage water resources in the area around Sablons.
Our partner producer is developing his orchards’ ecosystems. By encouraging local wildlife to thrive, he is supporting his pear tree orchards, where he is setting up nest boxes for birds and insects, outdoor beehives which will boost pollination and, with a neighbor, some multi-species hedgerows. He also allows grasslands to develop naturally and avoids mowing them so that they grow tall and help other beneficial plants to thrive. Beneficial organisms have an essential role to play in integrated protection against the pear psylla that threatens pear trees more than any other pest. As is often the case, nature knows best. These beneficial organisms are more effective than chemicals and do less harm to fruit and local wildlife.
