Barons of the Cévennes raised at the foot of the Comptoir Saint-Hilaire

Benoît Georges in a park with part of his livestock. Midi Libre – DR

Near Alès, part of the 80 hectares of the estate is devoted to pig breeding.

Launched in 2021 at Mas de la Rouquette, in Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas, the Baron des Cévennes pig breeding project has reached cruising speed.

At just 30 years old, Benoît Georges, a former executive of a large international group, opted to create a farm linked to Comptoir Saint-Hilaire, the farmhouse which has become a luxury tourist complex.

Today, on more than five fenced hectares, around fifty pigs labeled Baron des Cévennes, of 100% Duroc breed, lead a peaceful existence, in the open air.< /p>

A breeding operation that aims to be completely autonomous

"We had to reinforce the fences because the pigs tend to break down everything. Otherwise, we pay particular attention to their comfort of life. They live in wooded parks so that they can find shade, turn over the ground, scratch…hellip; We have planned large concrete slabs for the food. It’s much better than putting the cereals on the ground."

For the sake of autonomy, the cereals used are produced on the estate. "As the land here is not necessarily suitable for this production, I I settled on the other side of the Gardon, explains the young farmer. I sowed cereals on ten hectares at the former Niel de Saint nurseries -Christol-lez-Alès, like that, I am totally independent."

Autonomy is the key word of Benoît Georges' project: "I do everything, all alone. In the morning, I'm in the parks; afterwards, there is the preparation of the fresh produce, the charcuterie, the sale…"

Concerns surrounding the slaughterhouse

Maintaining the slaughterhouse in Alès is, therefore, a major concern for the breeder. "For small producers like me who bring one or two animals per month, the possible closure of the slaughterhouse would have significant repercussions on our farms", he explains.

The fresh meat is then sold vacuum-packed or in boxes. "I also make charcuterie, made locally. The hams are being salted and dried. I hope to be able to present them next spring."

The opening of a point of sale

In addition to meat, Benoît Georges offers for sale, in his shop La Ferme Cévennes, located next to the Perfectys establishments, on the old road to Nîmes, in Saint-Hilaire, all products from the estate."We planted two hectares of lavender, from which we extract essential oils. The olive oil comes from our 600 trees, but I'm out of stock! I have honey from the Ruchers de Cassagnes who have installed around thirty hives."

The thirty-year-old is teeming with ideas to develop the farm: "I would like to develop agrotourism, offer activities, tastings with tours of the estate. Let's think about it…"

The Cévennes farm: 1883, route de Nîmes. Contact: 06 23 18 65 14.

An agroforestry project with Agroof

"To complete the exploitation, I think about what raise sheep. This agroforestry project is in discussion with the Agroof study office, says Benoît Georges.

Recently installed Boisset-et-Gaujac, Scop Agroof specializes in training, research, advice and the implementation of projects combining trees and crops on the same plot.

"I have ten hectares that I would like to devote to a ébreeding under an orchard", explains the young farmer, under the eye of his dad, Alain Georges, excited about everything. by the project. "In any case, the machine is launched, we won't stop. There is still room on the estate. If I was 20 years younger, I'd be the one on the tractor!"

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