Les Jardins Élevant in Vias: organic floriculture born from a reconversion

Tristan et Despina, créateurs des Jardins Élevant, un nom qui évoque l’élévation de l’âme au contact de la nature.

À Vias, Les Jardins Élevant, une micro-ferme bio créée par Despina Polyviou et Tristan Berchoux, relèvent le défi de cultiver des fleurs et plantes aromatiques en agriculture biologique.

Les Jardins Élevant are the result of a career change. That of Despina Polyviou, who left her career as a biologist to devote herself to an organic flower micro-farm. With her partner Tristan Berchoux, a geographer, she came up with this project in 2019, before acquiring a one-hectare plot of land in Vias in 2020.

“When Tristan accepted a job opportunity in Montpellier while we were living in England, I told myself that it was an opportunity for a new start. I felt the need to get closer to nature,” confides Despina. Together, they swap England for the Agde region and embark on an agricultural adventure.

More than a hundred varieties cultivated

Initially, Despina and Tristan thought of specializing in aromatics: “We quickly realized that this market was saturated, unlike the local and organic flower market for which there is a real demand.” Today, more than a hundred varieties are grown: star dahlias, cosmos, celosias, chrysanthemums at the moment, or even daffodils, cornflowers, wallflowers or carnations from the florist in season.

Despina devotes herself full time to the micro-farm. Tristan helps her in parallel with his salaried activity. In addition to the local markets where they sell directly, they also supply florists. As well as restaurateurs, with herbs and edible flowers. “At the same time, I offer dried flower creations: bouquets, crowns, jewelry, candles…”

“Flowers for students”

Thanks to precise crop rotation and zero chemicals, the couple preserves biodiversity. “We fully adapt to nature by planting many varieties to offer alternatives when we suffer from insect attacks or diseases.”

Obtaining and maintaining the organic label is a challenge, especially for flowers, a sector where this label is recent. But the specific aid for organic farming allows the farm to remain balanced: “This is essential support to ensure the viability of our project.” Despina and Tristan are very involved in their territory. They have been working with the IUT of Montpellier for three years: “We provide flowers and aromatic plants for student projects to promote research and raise awareness of sustainable practices.”

At the same time, they work as volunteers in the Agde short-circuit sales project “Cap sur mon panier”. Their next challenges: continue to develop partnerships with florists and businesses in the region.

Bio express

2021: Installation and first tests.
2022: First sales and partnerships with local florists, restaurants and businesses.
2023: Launch of flower subscriptions.
+100 varieties grown on 3,000 m2.
35,000 euros of initial investment financed thanks to the citizen project “Mer””Littoral” of the Occitanie Region.

Jardins Élevant: 228 chemin de la Butée in Vias.”www.elevant.fr I subscribe to read the rest