Located on Bizard Island, Terre Promise is a 1 acre land. The surrounding land is shared by various organic farming companies, including a fruit tree orchard and nursery, an edible forest, vegetable growers, and beekeepers. Resources and skills are shared and we can work together if we wish to do so.
The soil, a clay loam, is filled with stones a conventional farmer would shriek at. But since no plowing is done at Terre Promise, there is no risk of breaking any tractor! Instead, we use rocks as natural barriers to direct waterflow, as heat convectors, releasing their warmth to the plants at night time, and to create habitat for snakes. Many other creatures also wriggle under the pebbles! Toads and reptiles help us keep the pest and insect number in balance.
There is an old root cellar dating from the beginning of the 20th century on our parcel. It was in a pitiful state when we found it, after so many years of neglect. The granary door was gone, the roof had rotted away because of water infiltrations, the walls were covered with signs left by squatters who had sought refuge therein. Rubbish littered the floor. Mice had made their nest in the wax of old beehives forgotten inside. With a group of friends and volunteers, we rolled up our sleeves and worked hard to give the cellar its true purpose. Today, we are proud to use it in the way our ancestors did. During summertime, workshops are also held in this heritage landmark!
We find inspiration in permaculture and African Zaï for our own gardening techniques. We work with nature and not against it. In times of plenty, we share the harvest with our family, friends, friends of friends… We never forget that the fruit belongs to everyone and nobody owns the earth.