“It’s a nice surprise!” : the Power 4 forest project among the winners of the citizen vote in the Occitanie Region

Les premiers arbres ont été plantés devant le moulin de Juffet. DR

L’association héraultaise La Forêt Globale va recevoir une aide financière de la Région pour son projet "La Forêt puissance 4", en partenariat avec le moulin de Juffet à Montbazin.

In May 2023, the Occitanie Region launched a citizen competition to help artisans, producers and heads of local projects, innovating and finding solutions to the climate and food issues of our time. Almost a year later, this Monday, February 19, the results were finally communicated. And among 241 applications submitted, 44 were winners, including that of the Forêt Puissance 4 project carried out by La Forêt Globale in the Thau basin.

On a 1.4 hectare plot of land adjoining the Juffet mill in Montbazin, the Hérault association dedicated to fruit reforestation and permaculture is testing new agroforestry techniques such as biodynamization plants and artificial water tables. It also plans to grow, then sell vegetables, fruits, lumber and cereals in a short circuit.

Also read: Artificial water tables to combat drought: the audacious project of La Forêt Globale in Montbazin

Amount of aid still unknown

For this project, La Forêt Globale hoped to obtain financial aid from the Region of around 56,000 euros, while the total cost is estimated at 74,100 euros. "We thought we wouldn't be the winner, then we were selected thanks to a reorganization of the participatory budget allocations according to the projects. It was a nice surprise for everyone, first says Bruno Garcia, president of the association. By However, we don't know how much we will receive. It could be 2,000 euros or all we need. We should know in a few days."

The Global Forest would like to receive at least 15,000 euros, enough to finance the purchase of trees. "If we have more than this amount and we take into account our donations and memberships, we could finish the project this year. If we have 2,000 euros, it will take us two more years to get to the end", specifies the permaculture farmer adding that &quot ;the purpose will be the same despite the differences in deadlines.

"In my opinion, it's a great project with an innovative agricultural model that could be duplicated further afield. other places in the future. What we are doing is moving in the direction of altruism and towards a new world that is emerging,  concludes Bruno Garcia.