In Plougrescant, the future of Christelle and Jacques Perrin’s market gardening is in good hands. Their daughter Laurine, aged 18, intends to take over the reins at the end of her course. “She will be the fifth generation on these lands, if not more, and the third to grow vegetables,” says Jacques Perrin. Needless to say, Laurine has it in her blood. “I was already cutting cauliflowers when I was 10,” she remembers. “She used to fall asleep on the tractor when she was little,” adds her father. Today, the farm covers 70 hectares and has two full-time employees. “At the moment we are growing cauliflower, broccoli and pumpkin. » Once harvested, the vegetables are transferred to the Maraîchers d’Armor agricultural cooperative. “My father had joined before me and I continued. It’s still security for us,” explains Jacques Perrin. This Saturday, November 9, the cooperative is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“I accompanied my grandfather to the market”
Currently in first year of BTS ACSE
at the Pommerit high school in La Roche-Jaudy, Laurine apprenticed with an organic market gardener in Penvénan. “I am two weeks at work and two weeks at school,” she explains. After her BTS, she would like to start a specialization certificate in management of a beef cattle farm. “I would like to make a little meat to complement the vegetables,” she says. The young student has no shortage of ideas because she would also like to do some direct selling. “I accompanied my grandfather to the Plougrescant market when I was little. I liked it,” she confides.
If certain details remain to be refined, Laurine will surely go through the salaried sector before setting out on her own. “We’ll see how we organize ourselves,” explains Christelle, his mother. Later, Laurine could also count on the support of her little brother, Brieuc. Aged 14 and in 4th grade at Pommerit high school, he also wants to get a foothold in the family business. “We always let them do what they wanted, without ever forcing them,” adds Christelle.
“She won’t run out of work!” »
“But before I start working, I would like to travel. » Laurine wishes to one day visit Canada and more precisely Quebec. “I would like to see their agricultural model. With the difference in culture and climate, it has nothing to do with us,” she says. “We advised her to make the most of it, then she won’t run out of work!” », predicts Jacques Perrin.
* Analysis, management and strategy of the agricultural business.
