A family donates a massive plot of farmland to their 560 neighbors with only one purpose: “That it be shared among everyone”
An old, disused plot of land is transformed into a community space full of fruit trees and rest areas for all residents.
The Éprichard family has donated a plot of farmland in Clussais-la-Pommeraie, a small town in western France with 560 inhabitants, under a few conditions: that it be transformed into an orchard with specific varieties of fruit trees and, most importantly, that the entire community can benefit from it. The land is to become a shared space, open to everyone. For the town, however, the donation represents a significant financial commitment.
When the proposal reached the mayor, Étienne Fouché, he did not accept it immediately. After careful consideration, he decided to take on the challenge of transforming the disused field into a free-access community garden. The entire project is expected to cost 10,000 euros.
Those involved are fully aware that this will be a long-term process. “Now we’ll let them grow, monitor for diseases, take care of the soil, and then people will come to pick their own apples to make jam or eat them sliced,” the mayor explains. The orchard is also intended as a place to spend time and relax. “There will be a relaxation area, and I hope people will respect this place,” he adds.
The project is already underway, with around fifty fruit trees planted in a row where there was previously only empty land. The aim is to have almost one hundred trees within a year, along with flowers, flowering trees and a hedge to protect and define the area.
Although the space is beginning to take shape, the garden will require patience, as it will take around four years before the first harvests can be gathered.
Despite this, residents are very enthusiastic. “It’s a pleasure to be able to share this with all the villagers,” said one local resident. “It’s nice to be able to make jam from time to time and have fruit straight from the tree,” he added.
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The Éprichard family said that this “is a donation to the town of our childhood”. As a token of gratitude, they have asked for a plaque bearing their name to be installed in the garden.
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