Who are we?
Our Story
In the beginning, there is a dream. The dream of living together, of planting trees, of seeing birds perch on them, of recreating ecosystems teeming with life, of breaking down the barriers between fields and meadows, forests and ponds, people and animals, politics and citizens, neighbours and friends, of planting what we will eat, of eating what we have planted, of doing it with our children—or with the children of others.
This dream quickly became a desire to materialize in a place: a laboratory, an incubator, an eco-village, a place of emergence.
In 2019, thanks to an enthusiasm that surpasses us, we purchased the Ferme de la Balbrière, a large Brabant farm located in Ottignies since the 18th century, which was waiting for us, a joyful band of cheerful people ready to realize our ambitious project—six hectares of land and 2,500 square meters of buildings. In 2019, we were four, then 10, then 20... Today, we have 60 residents, project leaders, neighbours, supporters, friends, permanent volunteers, and WWOOFers... Together, we care, develop, sing, build, grow... we make this dream a reality.
Our Mission
Together, we cultivate an ecosystem where the emergence of meaningful projects and individual and collective flourishing is at the heart of our actions. Thus, L’Arbre qui Pousse becomes a place where dreams take root, and life thrives in harmony and serenity.
We aspire to be much more than a farm: L’Arbre qui Pousse is envisioned as a vibrant place of emergence where every individual and every project can grow and thrive harmoniously. As a catalyst for development, our mission is to provide the tools and spaces conducive to growth, learning, organization, and contribution to the greater good.
In Wallonia, where agricultural wages account for only 44% of the average salary, our concrete commitment translates into revitalizing entrepreneurs and creating activities with high social and environmental value. We are determined to establish fair incomes for our 15 entrepreneurial projects.
The areas of action:
Transmission
L’Arbre qui Pousse aims to be a learning community where we cultivate various initiatives. The farm hosts a parent-run nursery, a Montessori class, an immersive training campus, and knowledge-sharing workshops. Each program enriches our collective learning, creating an ecosystem where everyone contributes and benefits mutually. Every interaction at the Tree is an opportunity for enrichment, feeding our reservoir of knowledge and experiences. Our pedagogical approach integrates the mind, heart, and senses, thus fostering authentic and transformative learning experiences.
Nourishing Production - Land
From fields to orchards, we strive to enhance biodiversity and soil fertility through the wild spaces between crops. Our productive and respectful approach aims to provide healthy, seasonal food. We invest in regenerative and innovative agricultural practices focused on long-term sustainability.Respective and proactive we seek to work with our neighbours to build a nurturing and sustainable future for the entire Pinchart Valley.
Artisanal Production - Craftsmanship
At L'Arbre, craftsmanship is a celebration of tradition and innovation. Within our artisanal center, activity thrives amid the sounds of tools, the aroma of burning wood, and the delightful scents of fermentation. This is where exceptional products are born, crafted with care and expertise. We aim to preserve our cultural identity by valuing local know-how while fostering a dynamic rural economy. Our facilities are designed to support these creations, and we strive to encourage meaningful, environmentally respectful, responsible entrepreneurship.
Rural eco-community
L’Arbre aims to be a proper place of social convergence, open to all without distinction. Everyone can enter, express themselves, share ideas, or relax over a drink. Whether in our common areas, cozy restaurants, coworking spaces, or multipurpose barns, friendliness is the order of the day. These spaces are the beating heart of our community, providing fertile ground for exchange, creation, and civic action. By fostering interaction between generations and cultures, we build a more solid and inclusive future in harmony with our local environment.
The habitat
At L'Arbre qui Pousse, habitat is more than just a place of residence: it represents a genuine commitment to a community and a way of life aligned with strong societal values. The residents, numbering around 30, choose to live here because they fully share the aspirations of the collective project. Their presence is a living testament to their commitment to the paradigm shift that L'Arbre represents. Each resident actively invests in the community's and the ecosystem's well-being, contributing to maintaining a welcoming and harmonious environment. Their habitat becomes a personal sanctuary where they find security and balance while actively participating in the life and growth of L'Arbre, enriching the soul of this farm with their stories, celebrations, and daily experiences.
Entrepreneurship and Territorial Innovation
L'Arbre is a bustling place full of ideas and skills, where entrepreneurs find fertile ground to bring their projects to life in service of the territories. Designers, facilitators, educators, legal experts, naturalists, and others gather here to realize their initiatives. The meeting rooms and coworking spaces are the stage for fruitful encounters and dynamic exchanges, enriched by the inspiring atmosphere of the farm. By engaging in the Tree's life, these entrepreneurs also enhance other ongoing projects, reinforcing the place's unifying character. Located just 20 km from Brussels, the Tree is much more than a simple workspace: it is a true hub for transition, a catalyst for transformation for the surrounding territories, where ideas come to life and individual initiatives become resilient and robust collective forces.
Let us be poets, artists, and creators of this reality. And to keep us in motion, let us remember that…
... L'Arbre is this living farm that reminds the world that connection and mutual aid are the profound nature of human beings;
... L'Arbre is this place of experimentation that proves our diversity is our resilience;
.. L'Arbre is this haven that connects us to the web of life, making us feel... alive;
... L'Arbre is the acupuncture point in this suffering landscape: the relevance of its local action heals globally.
Our Values
Welcoming and Sharing: Celebrating life with open arms.
Community as a Scale of Action: Working together to amplify the power of impact.
Ecosystem Regeneration: Healing the land and bringing it back to life.
Food Resilience: Diversifying to secure the future.
Revaluation of Heritage: Honoring what belongs to the past to shape the future.
Education and Learning: Shaping a landscape of learning.
Entrepreneurship and Transition: Daring to take action.
Culture and Narrative: Generating new collective stories.
Radiance: Inspire and disseminate.
Access to a Common Good: Revisit the notion of ownership.
Our Mission
We aspire to be much more than a farm: L’Arbre qui Pousse is envisioned as a vibrant place of emergence where every individual and every project can grow and thrive harmoniously. As a catalyst for development, our mission is to provide the tools and spaces conducive to growth, learning, organization, and contribution to the greater good.
In Wallonia, where agricultural wages account for only 44% of the average salary, our concrete commitment translates into revitalizing entrepreneurs and creating activities with high social and environmental value. We are determined to establish fair incomes for our 15 entrepreneurial projects.
Together, we cultivate an ecosystem where the emergence of meaningful projects and individual and collective flourishing is at the heart of our actions. Thus, L’Arbre qui Pousse becomes a place where dreams take root, and life thrives in harmony and serenity.
This mission can be broken down into 10 roots, the foundations and guiding principles of our collective action:
1.
Welcoming and Sharing: Celebrating life with open arms.
2.
Community as a Scale of Action: Working together to amplify the power of impact.
3.
Ecosystem Regeneration: Healing the land and bringing it back to life.
4.
Food Resilience: Diversifying to secure the future.
5.
Revaluation of Heritage: Honoring what belongs to the past to shape the future.
6.
Education and Learning: Shaping a landscape of learning.
7.
Entrepreneurship and Transition: Daring to take action.
8.
Culture and Narrative: Generating new collective stories.
9.
Radiance: Inspire and disseminate.
10.
Access to a Common Good: Revisit the notion of ownership.
Want to know more?
Our Manifesto
A spring report is a bit like a grand painting, a snapshot taken at a given moment, representing an inevitably temporary situation. A spring report is, of course, incomplete. It is the least flawed version of the story being written daily within a complex, living project. A spring report is a collection of words and images representing us because we write it from the heart, with transparency and authenticity. A spring report is an excellent opportunity to nurture the seeds that drive us to be the actors of our ecosystem, the players in a society that longs to break free from its old, entrenched patterns and to take a deep breath...
Who would refuse a big breath of fresh air?
What would an ideal world look like? Perhaps it would be a society that embodies the concern for the common good, ensuring access to dignity for all—which means access to healthy food, safe and healthy housing, healthcare, and education—and an awareness of the interdependence among all kingdoms, whether mineral, plant, animal, or human. Is it utopian to dream of such a world where cooperation is valued over competition, regeneration over predation, and the notion of service takes precedence over power? A world where the codes of coexistence are inspired by the living world rather than by ideologies or dogmas stemming from a human thought process that is inevitably limited and often biased by ego. Undoubtedly, it is a utopia… and that’s good because it starts with a utopia. This crazy idea generates a narrative whose strength and relevance spark the creative inspiration for a tangible reality. What is exciting about the utopia we envision is that it is pragmatic, and the essential ingredients and actors for its realization are already emerging everywhere.
This is everything that the project of l'Arbre qui Pousse represents. More than just an innovative eco-farm, l'Arbre qui Pousse is a space for emergence where we can think and experiment with a more harmonious, respectful, and inclusive way of being in the world. This is what we urgently need to transform the challenges of the 21st century into countless opportunities.
Excerpt from the Preface of the Manifesto by Guibert del Marmol.