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To diversify, farmers draw labyrinths in their cornfield

2021-07-29T15:50:47.644Z


For the operators, this tourist activity makes it possible to supplement the end of the month while making discover the agricultural world in a playful way.


Turned into popcorn, corn is already festive.

Redesigned into a labyrinth, the area where this cereal is grown becomes in turn fun.

Redesigning farms by changing the paths from plants to walls is the unexpected idea of ​​a young couple - Frédéric and Marie Guilbert - who have since won over many farmers.

Since 2009, their company Pop Corn Labyrinthe has offered farmers to install a maze in their corn fields, so that they diversify their activity while recreating links with a public far from the agricultural world.

Read also: Small agricultural producers, key players in feeding the planet

When the corn plants reach maturity, they measure between 1.50 and 2 meters in height.

Perfect walls for the giant labyrinths that Frédéric Guilbert draws with chalk, after taking the dimensions of the plot and imagining a convoluted course.

This work takes him about twenty hours, after which it is up to the farmers to pull up the plants.

We do it by hand with a weeder, it's quite tedious,

” recognizes Martin Fanost, a farmer in Yvelines who has just installed a labyrinth on his 4 hectare corn field.

In total, these plants uprooted to clear alleys represent between 20 to 30% of the surface of his field.

But the use of the labyrinth must quickly make up for this loss: the entrance ticket to enter the maze varies from 6 to 8 euros depending on the time of day.

Once the journey is over, customers can also buy farm produce, direct sales.

The attraction therefore makes it possible to ensure outlets for the operation, while diversifying its activity.

"

Put butter in the spinach

"

For Romain Chauchard, this diversification was a necessity in order to “

hold out

” a little longer in the profession. This dairy farmer - and his father before him - had first thought of expanding his small farm of 84 hectares to "

cope with the increase in purchase prices

", a constant for several years now. After unsuccessful research, the breeder must come to his senses: land is expensive and scarce, he will not be able to increase the size of his farm. However, the horizon seems to be clearing up for the breeder “

during [his] vacation last year at the campsite

”: “

it is there that we discovered the principle of the labyrinth in the cornfield

”, says the breeder,who then smells a good way to "

put butter in the spinach

”.

In 2021, the labyrinth is drawn on one of the corn fields he cultivates to feed his cows.

A small bungalow is also located at the entrance of the labyrinth.

Ice creams and other sweets are sold there, as well as "

Bleu des Causses

", a blue cheese, typical of Aveyron where the farm is located.

For the moment, the attraction starts off tentatively. “With

the Covid, it is not easy. There are a lot of campsites in the region but with the health pass, there have been cancellations,

”explains the breeder, who has nevertheless recorded nearly 2,000 entries since the beginning of July. "

You need time, it's an investment

" concludes the farmer. The sums involved are indeed significant. In addition to the entrance fees - 10,000 euros - for the Pop-Corn Labyrinth franchise, Romain Chauchard has to assume other costs such as the wooden huts for the reception, the maintenance of the park and two full-time salaries. Despite everything, the farmer remains confident. "

It speaks quickly in our region, I should have a return on investment as soon as

next year ”.

Raise awareness of the farming profession

For some farmers, the creation of a labyrinth is particularly interesting to educate a public far from the agricultural world about the profession of farmer and the ways of producing.

Billboards, published by the Passion Cereals association, are installed in the aisles,

” explains Simon Martin, for whom this educational dimension is very important.

After working for a time at Cogedis as a consultant, the 32-year-old turned to farming.

The labyrinth installed on his farm is for him a way of "

being in touch with people

", of meeting people in a profession that is rather lonely. To attract these visitors, however, the farm must be located on the outskirts of a tourist area. A condition fulfilled for Simon Martin, whose farm is located in Morbihan, “

between two tourist routes

”. An ideal location. 6,000 people have already come to get lost in the alleys of its labyrinth, established in the region for 12 years now. Now, the thirty-something proudly displays it, “

all the children in the day camps take a walk

” in his fields.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-07-29

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