Aveyron. Double crowned for its innovation, this agricultural farm is a gem

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An ecological and effective alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers, while fighting against waste. This is what Fertilaine is proposing. Located in Vezins-de-Lévézou (Aveyron), the family farm produces a natural fertilizer 100% based on sheep's woolwhich last year enabled the valorization of almost 40 tons of sheep's wool intended to be thrown away.

An innovation crowned in two ways during the 6th award ceremony “Innovate in the Countryside: I start where I want to live” Prize. The Aveyron-based company was rewarded for its fertilizer in the Grand Jury Prize and AMRF Special Prize Food Transition & Sustainable Agriculture categories.

Nearly 120 candidate companies

Since 2019, the “Innovate in the Countryside” Awards have rewarded each year the best innovations coming from rural businesses throughout France. This year, the ceremony took place in Paris, at the Hôtel de Clermont which houses the Ministry of Relations with Parliament.

In the presence of Françoise Gatel, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Partnership with the Territories and Decentralization, responsible for Rurality, Commerce and Crafts, Fertilaine was rewarded among nearly 120 companies candidates, from all sectors of innovation and coming from all regions of France.

Fertilaine is a family business, born in the center of Aveyron, on the Lévézou plateauon the initiative of Pierre-Marin et Vincent Fabryproducers of sheep's milk yogurts and representing the 6th generation of farmers in the family.

In a process of valorization and short circuit (100% local supply, maximum 20 km around the farm), Fertilaine therefore produces a natural fertilizer 100% based on sheep's wool.

The fight against waste

This innovative idea grew from a simple observation. The sheep are shorn once a year, to protect them from the heat and to prevent parasites from settling into their wool. But the vast majority of wool is not used for textilesand since the Covid-19 crisis, massive exports have been stopped, with most of the wool remaining on French farms, without solutions. This is where Fertilaine comes in with its fertilizer.

We are very proud to receive this distinction. As the 6th generation of farmers and sheep breeders, it was important to us to maximize the value of our farm and those of our region, while avoiding waste. Based on an idea from our parents, we tried to make useful a raw material intended to be thrown away, and we are delighted with the success of our product.

The success of Fertilaine was quickly evident: the company employs today, directly and indirectly, almost 20 peoplein rural areas and in adapted structures (ESAT). Thanks to its online sales site and a network of more than 80 garden centers et specialized storesmainly in the deep south, the company has customers throughout France, as well as in Europe.

And today, Fertilaine provides an additional source of income for sheep breeders in the Lévézou basin, a fine example of a circular economy, thanks to the combination of innovation and rurality.

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