his is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local.

FERME LA BELLE BESOGNE IS THE BESOGNE (WORK) OF MARTIN AND VENESSA. IN 2011 THEY LEFT VANCOUVER IN ORDER TO BEGIN A FARMING ADVENTURE IN NÉGUAC, N.B.

Before la Belle Besogne, Venessa studied at the University of British Columbia and obtained a B.Sc. in Agroecology. In conjunction with her studies, Venessa gained practical experience by working on organic farms in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia and in ranch country in Alberta over four years.

Martin studied illustration. He is a painter, illustrator, carpenter, all-around jack of all trades. His role on the farm extends from construction to the photo-documentation of the farm. Together they form a team that is very motivated by the fruits of their labour.

“At la Belle Besogne, we do our best to create an environment where all can prosper. We follow the principles of agroecology where we not only look at organic versus conventional but more so at the system as an entity; the soils, biodiversity, community, water, distribution, materials and sustainability.”

“For us, it is a priority to reduce our subsistence on fossil fuels, which is why we choose to promote a local distribution system by selling through local farmers’ markets and through our CSA. It is also why we use environmentally responsible growing practices, i.e. no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, crop rotations, green manure, et cetera.”