Dordogne. The art of adapting as a family

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The Garel family settled in Peyrignacoutside the family, in 2017. Previously, the couple worked in a company in the routing industry in Normandy but they wanted to change. As for their son, Mickaël, 29 years old today, he acquired a taste for agriculture and cattle breeding in his youth, from a cousin of the family who raises salters in Auvergne.

In July 2016, Pascal Chabaud, transmission mission manager at the Chamber of Agriculture, offered them this farm in Peyrignac which combines sheep breeding with the production and marketing of eggs. Even if it did not correspond to the initial desire of the Garel family, they accepted. “We weren’t necessarily stuck on anything”observes Christelle. She adds: “We do not regret at all having changed our approach”. The two transferors were preparing to retire. To ensure the handover, they set up a sponsorship course.

Sheep farming is used to produce PGI Agneau du Périgord animals for the La Périgourdine cooperative. Furthermore, they market three million eggs per year. “This diversification sometimes saves us,” notes Christelle. “It’s about not putting all your eggs in one basket”laughs Jérôme. As the taste for cattle breeding has not disappeared within the family, especially Mickaël, the family created a small herd of Salers cows.

Prepare for the future

Little by little, the family business grew by welcoming new members. Alexis Garel, another 26-year-old son, became an employee. Lucas, the youngest, aged 21, is also there since he did his BPREA apprenticeship on the farm. Sarah, the partner of one of the sons, works in the egg business. We must not forget Loïc, the nephew, currently on internship. “It wasn’t really planned. Things happened gradually”according to Christelle. “It’s much easier to work as a family”she assures. Only one employee, who takes care of egg deliveries, is not part of the family.

The future is being prepared at the Peyrignac farm. The three partners invest in equipment and work on renewing the buildings. A new photovoltaic sheepfold is planned to be self-financing to replace the old one, which has become dilapidated. Another photovoltaic storage building has already been installed via Agrisoleil 24.

In agriculture, they quickly learned to deal with crises and hazards. “You always have to question yourself and adapt”assures Christelle. “You have to have a calculator in your head and not make a mistake”summarizes Jérôme.

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