Ferme de l’Oasis founder Aurélien Adam and mycologist Martine Régine-Jornas were our volunteer trainers on November 23, 2023 for the wintering of the educational garden with Forez high school students. After a general introduction to soil cycles, the youngsters gathered leaves, hay, cardboard and manure for wintering. All these products were sourced in the park, thanks in particular to the horses on the Albatross site. At the same time, our mycologist was picking edible mushrooms and identifying those that are poisonous.
Despite the cold, the high-school students picked, dug and laid trenches all morning. Only 4 Spanish high school correspondents had to warm up shortly before lunch.
After a shared meal, Aurélien taught the youngsters how to build teepees using bamboo cut from the estate, on which beans, tomatoes and cucurbits will grow in the spring.
The day ended with a more academic presentation on soil and mushrooms, and a discussion on the list of vegetables that the youngsters would like to plant during the next session in March, knowing that the Oasis Farm will help with the supply of seeds and potting soil.
