Ferme AgroLocal
© Photo courtesy of L’Action
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Samuel Gauthier, resident of Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare, took advantage of the last year to start his agricultural business, Ferme AgroLocal, and to open a shop where he can sell his products year round.
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In an interview with L’Action, Samuel Gauthier said that he had always been surrounded by farmers, including his uncle and his grandfather. Recently, he chose to undertake studies in Agricultural Business Management and Technologies at Cégep à Joliette and at the same time, he started a multi-production business.
La Ferme AgroLocal produces pesticide-free vegetables and grazing pork.
Samuel Gauthier says that for the first year, his pigs were raised in Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare and that his market garden production (tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, zucchini, etc.) was cultivated in Rawdon, on a plot of land. rented at the Desbro farm on the way to Kildare.
“A kiosk was held this summer and we also offered a supply of baskets of vegetables. “
Moreover, it is already possible to subscribe for the baskets for the 2021 season.
La Ferme AgroLocal also participated in various local markets in order to offer its products, namely those of Saint-Norbert and Rawdon, during the summer season.
Last fall, a farm garage was converted into a shop so that Ferme AgroLocal could sell its meat during the fall and winter. The store opened to the public on January 27 in compliance with sanitary measures. Samuel Gauthier offers several products and cuts of meat, including ham, smoked meat, bacon, sausages, stewing cubes, filet mignon, pork chops or grilled meats.
The AgroLocal Farm raises the pigs and the meat processing is carried out in partnership with the Boucherie Aux Pignons Verts in Saint-Liguori.
In an interview, Samuel Gauthier confided that opening up in the midst of a pandemic was a difficult choice. “But there is a strong current in Rawdon to buy local and that has helped the project. The clientele comes mainly from Rawdon, but also from Joliette, Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, Sainte-Béatrix and Saint-Liguori.
The shop will be open all year round and the plan is to eventually offer local products in partnership with other artisans and producers in the region.
“I also have other projects for new productions such as pasture poultry. I want my products to reflect my ecological values. Pasture breeding allows the production of quality meat. My pigs are happy and healthy all their lives, it offers a very different meat from that from conventional barns. “
For his first year, Samuel Gauthier raised a total of thirty pigs. For 2021, he would like to double his production.
The schedule for the Ferme AgroLocal store is available on the company’s Facebook page and on its website: lafermeagrolocal.ca.
La Ferme AgroLocal is located at 3793, chemin de Kildare, in Rawdon.
