Landes Farms Innovate with Ginger, Citrus in ⁤Face of Climate Change

LIPOSTHEY, France – in the heart of the Landes of Gascogne, Larrère farms, a ‍family business since 1981, are⁢ diversifying their crops to adapt to a changing climate. Known for their carrots, the company is experimenting with new produce, including ginger and citrus fruits.

With 12 farms and a workforce of 200 permanent⁣ and 160 seasonal employees, Larrère aims to ‍”nourish men while respecting⁢ the earth,” according to company leadership. This ⁣involves ⁤embracing innovation and exploring unconventional crops.

Patrick Larrère,‍ a ⁣leader at the ⁣company, stated,⁣ “It’s in our DNA! We have always been convinced that we could grow lots of things in the Landes.”‍ He added that ⁢the company views the region’s acidic soil as an possibility for experimentation.

Landes ⁢Orchard of the Future

Larrère farms are cultivating citrus fruits in a three-hectare⁢ photovoltaic greenhouse. Lemon, orange, and clementine trees thrive in‍ the greenhouse’s controlled habitat, where bumblebees pollinate freely and ladybugs naturally combat pests.

The greenhouse serves as an agricultural laboratory, with trials ‍beginning three years ago in collaboration with Thierry Dupouy, a local citrus nursery specialist. The goal is to identify citrus varieties that can withstand a changing climate.

According to Patrick Larrère, ⁤the ⁢greenhouse simulates future outdoor conditions. “Under this greenhouse, they⁢ already observe the temperatures that we ⁢will know ⁢in the open air within twenty years,” he said, emphasizing the importance of planting for future generations.

Landes‍ Farms: Adapting to Climate Change with Ginger and Citrus

Q: What is Landes Farms doing to adapt ⁣to ‍climate change?

Landes⁣ Farms, a family business in the Landes of Gascogne,⁣ France, is diversifying its crops in response to ‍climate⁤ change. ‍They⁤ are known for their carrots and are now experimenting with ⁤growing ginger and citrus fruits.

Q: Where is Landes Farms located?

Landes ⁤Farms is located in liposthey, France,⁤ specifically in the heart of the Landes of Gascogne region.

Q: How long has Landes Farms been in business?

landes Farms has been a family business since 1981.

Q: How big is Landes ⁣Farms in terms of⁤ workforce and farms?

Landes⁤ Farms operates 12 farms and employs a workforce of:

⁢ 200 permanent employees.

⁢ ⁢ 160 seasonal ‍employees.

Q: What is Landes Farms’ mission?

According to company leadership, landes Farms ‍aims⁢ to “nourish men⁣ while respecting the earth.”

Q: How does Landes ⁣Farms approach innovation?

Landes Farms embraces innovation ⁢by ‍exploring unconventional crops, like ginger and citrus, to address challenges associated ‍with climate change. They look⁤ for opportunities ⁣in their surroundings, as stated by Patrick Larrère, viewing‍ the regions acidic soil as a basis for experimentation.

Q: What is Landes⁣ Farms doing with citrus fruits?

Landes Farms is cultivating citrus fruits in a three-hectare photovoltaic greenhouse. They are growing lemons, oranges, and ⁣clementines.

Q: What are the benefits of ⁤the greenhouse environment for citrus cultivation?

The⁣ greenhouse provides a controlled environment where:

⁢ Bumblebees pollinate the ‍citrus trees freely.

⁢ Ladybugs naturally combat pests.

Q: What is the‍ greenhouse being used for‍ besides growing citrus?

The greenhouse serves as an agricultural laboratory⁤ for landes ‍farms. They are‍ conducting trials to identify citrus varieties capable of withstanding the ⁣effects of climate change.

Q: Who are Landes Farms collaborating with on these citrus trials?

Landes‍ Farms is collaborating with thierry Dupouy, a local⁢ citrus ‍nursery specialist.

Q: How is the greenhouse helping Landes⁣ Farms prepare for future climate conditions?

The greenhouse is designed to ⁤simulate future outdoor conditions. According to Patrick Larrère, the company is already experiencing temperatures within the greenhouse that ⁤are expected to be common outdoors in the‍ next twenty ⁢years. This helps them select trees that will survive these⁤ warmer temperatures.

Q: What specific ‍citrus fruits‍ are Landes Farms growing?

Landes Farms is ⁣growing:

Lemons

⁤ ⁤ Oranges

⁤ Clementines

Q: Why is Landes Farms experimenting with new⁣ crops like⁣ ginger and citrus?

The need to adapt to a changing climate is prompting farms to experiment with different crops. Landes Farms is seeking to identify crops that are⁣ more resilient to changing environmental conditions and to ‍ensure the continued availability⁤ of food.

Q: What are the main takeaways from Landes Farms’‍ approach to climate change adaptation?

Landes Farms’‍ approach demonstrates:

Innovation: Embracing new crop types.

Sustainability: “Nourish men while⁣ respecting the earth.”

Forward-thinking: Simulating future conditions.

* Collaboration: Partnering with specialists.

Q: How does⁤ Landes Farms view the ‍Landes region’s soil and climate?

Landes ⁤Farms views the region’s acidic soil⁣ as an ⁤prospect for experimentation, and it is working diligently to understand their region and⁢ adapt to a⁢ changing climate.

Q: What is the importance of‍ planting for future⁣ generations as mentioned by Patrick ⁢Larrère?

Patrick larrère emphasizes the importance of planting for future generations. landes Farms is taking proactive steps in adapting to climate change to secure the future of its‍ farm and the availability of⁣ food. This is based on⁣ the viewpoint ‍that the techniques used today⁤ will define farming’s role in the next⁣ 20 years.

Q: ⁢Can⁣ you‍ summarize landes ⁣Farms’⁤ use of the⁢ Three-Hectare Greenhouse?

Here is a summary:

Feature	Description
Size	Three-hectare ‍photovoltaic⁣ greenhouse
Crops	Lemons, oranges, and clementines
Purpose	Agricultural laboratory; testing citrus varieties for climate resilience
Climate Simulation	Simulates future outdoor temperatures to identify ⁣adaptable varieties
Environmental Controls	Controlled environment⁣ with natural pollination (bumblebees) and pest control (ladybugs)