society – Châlons – Châlons Fair 2024 Published at 09:00
This year again, the Farm space will house several dozen animals entrusted by Marne breeders. A place full of life where meetings, tastings and immersive experiences in the daily lives of farmers are combined.
With generally nearly 100,000 visitors welcomed in eleven days, the Farm area designed by the Marne Chamber of Agriculture remains the most popular place at the Châlons Fair. Its surface area was expanded to 3,000 m2 last year, with a redesigned route to better guide the public. “This year, we are banking on an even more user-friendly “agricultural village square” open to visitors, with seating and furniture made from pallets,” explains Anne-Claire Le Cerf, head of communications at the Chamber. It is structured around the vegetable pyramid and opens directly onto the Farm area. The idea is for people to be able to meet and chat.”
The sow and her piglets, essential
Every year, the furry and feathered tenants – around twenty breeds in total – of the educational farm become the stars of the place. Horses, cows, sheep and lambs, bees, rabbits, poultry, goats and chicks will melt more than one, without forgetting the sow and her piglets, essential. Behind the scenes, day and night, a team of caretakers will ensure the well-being of all these animals, in partnership with the LaSalle Reims-Thillois agricultural high school and the Maison familiale et rurale de Gionges.
Sensory photo exhibition and testimonials
Many other themes will be invited on site with the same vocation: to reach as many audiences as possible and allow them to better understand the daily lives of farmers, all sectors combined, by sharing their professional and personal lives. “The sensory photo exhibition “Wake up to the rhythm of the agricultural world” is a great new feature, announces the referent. It retraces the days of several Marne farmers, including a winegrower and a breeder, thanks to objects belonging to them and different things to listen to, observe, smell or touch. Sheep’s wool for example, harvested wheat grains, etc.”
Milk bar and cow beauty treatment
In addition to these testimonies, there will be workshops and various activities for all ages, designed to popularize agriculture in all its diversity, from the importance of biodiversity to the secrets of making Champagne lentils, including jobs that are recruiting, new technologies for agricultural machinery, short supply chains, etc. Among the experiences offered: introductions to beekeeping or aquaponics, tastings of many local products (honey, beers, pork products, aromatic plants, fruit juices, etc.) with the “Bienvenue à la Ferme” network, pedal tractors and a simulator to discover the joys of driving agricultural machinery, an interactive map dedicated to the Champagne Landscapes, demonstrations around clipping (or beautifying) cows, etc. The iconic milk bar will also be back, complete with a fictitious milking parlor to uncover the mysteries of milk production. A real treat!
Sonia Legendre
Espace Ferme, from August 30 to September 9, Châlons Fair – Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (opens at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 30, closes at 4 p.m. on Monday, September 9) – Information: marne.chambre-agriculture.fr.
Friday Weekly
A fashion show with women farmers
Conceived by various agricultural stakeholders to highlight the evolution of women farmers’ and winegrowers’ workwear over the last fifty years, a fashion show entitled “Women in agriculture: views over time” will open on Wednesday, September 4 at 4 p.m. in front of the Espace Ferme.
#Dare to Agriculture, two days dedicated to training and employment
Led by Anefa (National Association for Employment and Training in Agriculture), training partners and local agricultural stakeholders, the #Ose l’agriculture event will be held at the Espace Ferme on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 September. On the programme: meetings with recruiting companies, interactive games and simulations, a workshop for pressing rapeseed oil, discovery of the brewing industry, etc. Another multi-partner highlight not to be missed: the forum “Here, we offer you great jobs”, Thursday 5 September from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., on the stage area of the Fair.
