Terre de Liens was born in 2003 from the convergence of several movements that link grassroots education, organic and biodynamic agriculture, ethical finance, the solidarity economy and rural development.
To enable citizens and farmers to mobilise and act on the ground, the movement has invented new tools to stop the disappearance of land and facilitate access to agricultural land for new farmer facilities. These tools are available to everyone so that everyone can participate in the future of our farms and agriculture.
The uniqueness of Terre de Liens is bases on its three-fold interrelation.
- An associative network mobilised throughout France: it welcomes and assists farmers in their access to land, informs and gathers the public around land and agricultural issues, and anchors the Terre de Liens project in a civic and local dynamic.
- La Foncière, a solidary investment company open to the public, which enables investment in projects of high social and ecological value. The accumulated capital is used to buy farms for diversified agricultural and rural activities. La Foncière rents these farms to farmers involved in local, organic and small-scale agriculture.
- The Foundation, which is recognised as being of public interest, is entitled to receive bequests and donations from farms. It also buys land at risk of losing its agricultural purpose. In all cases, the Foundation guarantees long-term environmentally friendly agricultural practices on these lands. Terre de Liens thus participates in agricultural succession and facilitates intergenerational communication through the installation of new farmers.
It is this combined action that allows:
- The acquisition of arable land and the avoidance of its disappearance.
- The assurance of long-term conservation through ecological and responsible use.
- The leasing of these lands to farmers for organic or peasant production.
- The sharing of the results of these experiences with all interested parties.
- The creation of new responses to the crisis of agricultural land and the bringing together of citizens, decision-makers and agricultural stakeholders on this perspective.
Public bodies, foundations, associations and companies are part of the project.
It operates at the French State level.
- Kick-starting
- Creating networks
- Network