We are a French-speaking collective of small-scale farmers, employees and agricultural development organisations, gathered together as a cooperative named l’Atelier Paysan. Based on the principle that farmers are themselves innovators, we have been collaboratively developing methods and practices to reclaim farming skills and achieve self-sufficiency in relation to the tools and machinery used in organic farming. In 2011, we set ourselves up as a staffed organisation working to promote farm-based inventions, collectively develop new technological solutions adapted to small-scale farming, and make these skills and ideas widely available through courses and educational materials. Since 2015, we have also been offering resources and guidance to farmer-driven projects involving the building or renovation of agricultural buildings. We are based in the Rhône-Alpes region of south east France and also have a branch in Brittany. We have three trucks equipped with the machinery and materials we need to run practical training courses on farms and workshops across France. We provide advice and guidance for small-scale farmers on agricultural tools tailored to their needs, and accompany them through their trials and tribulations in their farming journey, individually or collectively, whatever their area of production. The development of tools and self-built machinery adapted to small-scale farming is a technological, economic and cultural instrument which has been little explored within agricultural development in France, although it can provide a significant impact on the growth of organic farming and contribute to improving organic farming practices. Source images et texte Atelier Paysan

The house of degrowth Can Decreix is a place to build on experiences and reflect around the topic of degrowth. Started by activist scientists from Research & Degrowth, Can Decreix is a centre for transformation (of fruits, vegetables, constructions, societies), for research, for testing frugal technologies, arts and agroecology. Situated in Cerbère, a shrinking village, on the Mediterranean border between France and Spain. Can Decreix is a space to accept limits and question borders. It does not conquer virgin territories. Can Decreix develops open-localism, being connected with its surroundings and having international visits. It practices various degrowth strategies: simplicity in living, research, organization of meetings, of political and artistic events. This involves a range of activities from the organization of conferences and workshops, to working on practical ecology methods and organizing of hiking through the local ridges, or bicycle tours, to dance and body expression. The project strives to have minimum impact on nature, with minimum energy consumption, water recycling, solar kitchen and pedal washing-machine. The terrain has vineyards and olive trees terraces. Its intention is to grow food and use many edible wild plants, as well as to develop a forest garden. Can Decreix is also sometimes a quiet place for thinking and writing, drawing and painting. The system of groovy tunnels, the enormous train station occupying the heart of the city and mostly used for the transit of cars and chemicals, the memories of the once flourishing train industry serves also as inspiration to think of employment and transport in a degrowth context. photo: François Schneider photo: Monika Austaller photo: Can Decreix Text: Can Decreix