The educational journey began with visits to the Loire Valley region, specifically to Nantes and Angers, where students engaged with various horticultural enterprises. They visited Pépinières Lepage, a large-scale ornamental and bulb producer in Nantes, which produces around three million perennials and grasses annually. Additionally, they learned about sustainable practices at L’Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, an institution specializing in horticultural production and landscape design.

One of the highlights of the trip included meeting Vincent Favreau, an organic market gardener from Saumur who has been cultivating organic vegetables for over twenty years on three hectares of land. Favreau emphasized the challenges posed by the area’s soil conditions and variable rainfall, stating that these factors significantly impact organic farming practices.

Students also toured L’Arboretum Gaston Allard, which features approximately 1,000 mature trees from an 18th-century collection. This experience not only enriched their understanding of horticulture but also underscored the importance of sustainability in agricultural practices.

As the students returned from their tour, they found themselves amidst preparations for May 1 demonstrations. This day has been a public holiday in France since 1947 and is marked by marches celebrating workers’ rights. Between 110,000 and 160,000 participants are expected to join around 320 demonstrations across major towns and cities.

The CGT union has called for protests against the high cost of living, urging all workers to participate. They stated, “This May 1, we are calling on all workers to protest against the high cost of living and to demand that our work be properly remunerated.” This context adds a layer of urgency to the students’ experiences as they reflect on issues affecting both agricultural communities and broader labor rights.

Coincidentally, the Tour de France will host Stage 1 in the Scottish Borders on July 2, 2027—a significant event that draws global attention. The Tour de France is broadcast in over 190 countries and garners an estimated audience of between 3.5 to 4 billion people worldwide. As such events unfold in France, they highlight the intersection of culture, agriculture, and social justice.

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