At the Tourist Office, we have members coming from valleys and tourist areas neighboring ours.
The Argentinian Farm It's part of it. We visited this very pleasant place in the company of Martine Kilcher, who is an ACI facilitator and also the coordinator of public and group activities. We were given a private tour for an afternoon and returned home with a wealth of information.
In addition to visiting the premises and meeting some of the team, we discovered the animals living on the farm on a daily basis and which the staff take care of with attention.
The Argentinian Farm It is an educational, pedagogical and inclusive structure for people with disabilities or those in professional integration programs. It opened its doors to the public in June 2021.
To be precise, the Argentin farm is an ESAT, Establishment and Service for Assistance through Work attached to the Tournesols center (a well-known structure in our sector).
This type of establishment allows people with disabilities to engage in professional activity while benefiting from medical, social and educational support in a protected environment.
Here, the team consists of about fifty people.
10 people from the institution.
5 people benefiting from the resources of the Adapted Enterprise (EA).
5 people attached to the Establishment and Service for Assistance through Work (ESAT).
30 people present on site and part of an integration project.
The place is obviously a place to welcome the public, but its integration function is present at every moment, and the institution's employees are committed to helping and integrating staff in integration programs.
Regarding reception,
The facilitators are able to offer activities adapted to audiences with specific needs, whether they are children, adults or seniors.
The team is available to managers of structures (medical and social institutions, EHPA…) for the implementation of a program of adapted activities.
But as the name suggests, we're on a farm! And on a farm, you find animals. There are plenty at the Argentin Farm. Big ones, small ones, feathered ones, furry ones, but all treated with the same care and respect for life.
Martine first takes us to meet the herd of goats. There are about twenty of them that we can approach and pet, if they feel like it. It's a pleasant moment, and the contact with these animals is soothing. In fact, these goats radiate a serenity that is contagious!
And there are the sheep, who are also very peaceful and incredibly calm.
At their house, everything is fine and nothing bothers them, especially if it's nap time.
But animals are not just there to be petted or to entertain the crowd (even if they are very good at it).
At the farm, there is a kind of common thread that tells the story of the evolution of agriculture, from Prehistory to the present day, and which addresses the history and place of these animals throughout time.
Some of them also play a role in preserving local breeds, such as the Lorraine goat. This breed was on the verge of extinction, but some breeders decided otherwise. To help and support local producers, the Ferme d'Argentin decided to adopt a small herd. We gathered information about these goats from the website dedicated to the breed (https://chevredelorraine.fr/)
Template Large animals capable of exploring all types of terrain and consuming significant quantities of forage. Female goats measure at least 68 cm at the withers when fully grown (18 months), while male goats are 5 cm taller. Adult female goats should weigh between 50 and 60 kg, and male goats between 70 and over 100 kg.
Dress colors The animals are distinguished by their ermine-grey coat (a mottled appearance due to the mixture of black and white hairs). Variations of brown are tolerated provided they are a dark brown and the mottling is present.
Head : rather straight profile, straight muzzle, goatee required in bucks and also sought after in does.
Coat Medium-length hair on the body is desirable, but it should be longer on the back (a "ridge") and thigh (a "skirt"). Short hair is unacceptable. Brown tips are acceptable.
Cornage : in females arched backwards, slightly divergent; in males rather lyre-shaped, no polled animals.
Plumb lines : strong and upright.
Udder : well attached, with two balanced halves, absence of supernumerary teats.
And then there's Bruno, who takes it easy but whose passivity is what makes him so charming.
A favorite with children, its imposing personality is as amusing as it is impressive. Several pigs live on the farm's upper slopes. Of different breeds, they live here enjoying the outdoors and interacting with visitors.
Do they know they will never be eaten? Hard to say, but one thing is certain: their serenity is felt in the depth of their sleep.
If we had to pick just one spot on the whole farm, it would undoubtedly be the area where the goats, small animals like chickens and rabbits, and a veritable herd of guinea pigs live. We're in a beautiful barn here, with plenty of space and a direct view of several breeds of animals. It's very "cozy" for a farm.
This place hosts activities such as readings to children by a member of the animation team, or cuddle time with rabbits and guinea pigs.
The readings take place in a small corner of the barn, in the hay, surrounded by animals who provide the ambient sounds. The moment is peaceful and everyone enjoys it, whether they are 6 or 40 years old, or more… or younger!
There is also the interpretation centre, a wonderful educational tool and fun family space.
Here we learn by manipulating, reading, touching and exchanging through several quizzes and games that punctuate the journey.
Besides being interesting, "the barn," as the farm team calls it, is a truly beautiful place.
Throughout this walk through the history of agriculture, you will be able to observe features designed to allow biodiversity to thrive on the site. Stacks of old tiles, insect hotels, piles of old wood… a paradise for small mammals and insects of all kinds.
Even more interesting is the aquaponics greenhouse.
Today, discussions are underway regarding food production in cities or highly industrialized areas. La Ferme d'Argentin operates a small aquaponics and bioponics greenhouse. These two techniques have emerged primarily in urban agriculture, as they allow for soilless food production in industrial sites or on building rooftops.
The other "hospitality" aspect of Ferme d'Argentin is the rental of a very beautiful hall for weddings, family celebrations or seminars.
With its 288m2 and tables and chairs that can accommodate 140 people, it is highly likely that this room will be the ideal place for whatever event you propose.
The site is accessible to people participating in the festivities.
Martine took the time to show us around this place she loves and is developing with the help of her entire team. When profession and passion come together, the result is often quite remarkable!
There's still so much to discover at the farm. We didn't want to reveal everything in this article, as our aim is to entice you to visit. Children will love the play area, while their parents can enjoy the restaurant (which overlooks the play area).
The Argentin farm is a true success story for us, both socially and in terms of tourism. We wholeheartedly recommend this visit and discovery.
We would like to sincerely thank the entire farm team and especially Martine.
The program for the All Saints' Day holidays is online at thecalendar from the farm site.
Good visit !
