Award of Agricultural Merit to Claude Brette: A Late but Deserved Recognition by the Republic

It was in the presence of his relatives and friends that Calude Brette was presented with the Agricultural Merit medal by the deputy for the 2nd constituency of Hautes-Pyrénées, Benoît Mournet. A distinction that arrived late according to the departmental president of the National Order of Agricultural Merit (Amoma 65), Marc Beillot, but which does not detract from its fair value.

“His humility and his discretion meant that he never obtained any distinction. This has now been made up for,” rejoiced Marc Beillot, retracing the “exceptional career” and “the high-level commitment to the education and for agriculture” of the one who, from a simple agricultural worker has become one of the “experts in popular education in France but also at the European, even global level”.

From agricultural worker to mission manager to the EU and UNESCO

“Claude Brette continued his studies until obtaining a thesis in educational sciences. He climbed the professional ladder, first becoming general supervisor, then principal education council, president of the research and education group and foresight, project manager for the European Union and UNESCO. He was co-founder of the European rural university, he was seconded to the Agropolis University of Montpellier in order to set up training courses engineers. He is one of the major players in popular education in rural areas. Once he arrived in the Hautes-Pyrénées, he chaired the Foyers Rurales des Hautes-Pyrénées, he was founder of the Patrimoine des Hautes association -Pyrenees and landscapes”, listed Marc Beillot.

MP Benoît Mournet as godfather

An exemplary journey which deserved the recognition of the Republic but also a godfather chosen among its first representatives, in this case the deputy Benoît Mournet. “I am happy to be here. Marc Beillot alerted me that there was a real oversight by the Republic, it has now been repaired. This distinction is really not usurped. You have set up a function which did not exist, the principal education advisors play a key role”, underlined the MP.

Proud of his peasant roots

Originally from Rouen but a Bigourdan by adoption, Claude Brette traveled the world before settling in the Pyrenees upon retirement, but throughout his career, “he always claimed his peasant roots”, underlined his faithful friend Max in a letter read, in his absence, by the person concerned’s companion, Colette.

And if his career, associated with his values, fully justifies this distinction, Claude Brette wanted to clarify that “this medal concerns my entire family”. He also paid a moving tribute to his parents, without forgetting all those who accompanied him in this “extraordinary career development, outside of institutions”. But at 80, more than his career, it is this attachment to his roots and his quest to promote the rural world that he highlights, as evidenced by this phrase borrowed from Albert Camus: “I feel that I am of a noble race, one that envy nothing.”