The 27th edition of the Earth Festival is moving up a gear and moving to the Mende-Brenoux aerodrome

Chaque année, la finale départementale de labour a lieu lors de la Fête de la terre. Midi Libre – ARCHIVE MIDI LIBRE

This year, the Young Farmers of Valdonnez/Pont-de-Montvert are in charge of organizing the event. They are meeting this Sunday, August 25, 2024, on the Causse de Mende for a day full of activities.

Every summer, it is one of the highlights of the agricultural world in Lozère: the Fête de la terre, organized by the Young Farmers of the department (JA 48). As tradition dictates, the event changes canton every year. For this 27th edition, it is the JA of Valdonnez/Pont-de-Montvert who are in charge. And they have chosen to take to the skies, since they invite the public to the Mende-Brenoux aerodrome, this Sunday, August 25, 2024, from 10 a.m.

The program is once again rich. The activities will follow one another all day long. The Champous shepherds, originally from Ardèche, will be making the trip for demonstrations of…shepherd dogs, of course! Spectators will appreciate their work with both the sheep and the geese.

ULM Lozère, based at the aerodrome, will of course be there. The company will offer first flights at preferential prices. Three motorcycle trial performances will also be provided by Benoît Duchêne, originally from Vic-le-Comte (Puy-de-Dôme). Trott’in Lozère, which specializes in renting electric scooters, has prepared twenty to thirty minute loops on the causse. The Écuries du Valdo, for their part, will saddle up the children for pony rides.

Mini-farm, exhibition of equipment, local meals…

The departmental final of the plowing competition, flat or on a board, will also take place on the occasion of the Fête de la terre. It will be contested in pairs and will qualify for the regional final of the discipline.

Who says agricultural festival, obviously says mini-farm, exhibition of equipment, farmers' market, games for children or even local meals. The latter promises to be copious: raw ham and melon by the Auberge du Col (Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez); Aubrac steak, by the Auberge du Col; aligot from the Jeune Montagne cooperative (Laguiole); Roquefort and tomme; chestnut tart from the Atelier du miel et de la châtaigne (Florac) or caramel dessert cream from the Gaec de l'Ebes (Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez).

“Every year, we welcome between 3,000 and 4,000 people, estimates Hervé Boudon, the president of JA 48. We easily make between 400 and 500 meals at lunchtime. There, if the weather is with us, it can be quite good. The Causse de Mende is well placed. We will be in the center of the department." This day promises to shine once again on Lozère agriculture.

This Sunday, August 25, the Earth Festival, from 10 a.m. Free entry. Sheepdog demonstrations at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Price of the meal: 18 euros. I subscribe to read the rest