Rural Europe on the move English_E_version_all | Page 101

Tasting independence “It is not a sum of money that I have on the table. It is a sum of grass or hay of which the cows make milk.” 6. Pierre Gachet, sustainable mountain farmer 7. Jeanine Sochas, former director of AAB and active retired person in Beaufortain 8. An activity organised by AAB : the apple fair Pierre Gachet grass or hay of which the cows make milk. I then have to transform that milk into Beaufort cheese. At the end of the day I see what I have got. The more I have left for those who work on the An engaged retirement - intergenerational energy role in the sustainable development of Beaufortain by promoting citizens’ participation in local life, by organising activities for young people, families and the elderly, while promoting farm, the better for me. Then I am less Among the pioneers of the dependent on banks, shareholders or Beaufortain movement, I had the then director of Beaufortain Animation merchants. For the last three years, we opportunity to meet Hubert Favre, Association, explains the principles do not borrow anything from banks, a friendly retiree, always inclined of these activities: “Our association is only from individuals. And if I know to praise the merits of his area. At based on four pillars: solidarity, human someone has spare money, instead of the end of the 1950s, Hubert was dignity, democracy and sustainable borrowing from banks, we ask them to a teacher in Arêches, one of the development. This means villagers lend us the money we need.” four municipalities of Beaufortain. make choices at each stage of the In 1962, he created a newsletter decision-making process: they have is undeniable. Because, even if ‘Ensemble dans le Beaufortain’. Today four different missions - one on human land concentration and the decline it is a quarterly newspaper. He also resources, another on projects, one in the number of farms continues, founded the Beaufortain Animation on the project economy and one the process here is slower than Association (AAB) in 1973 of which on partnership. Our association is elsewhere. All visitors, whether from Jeanine Sochas, who is a member of interested in the needs of the local Forum Synergies or somewhere else, Forum Synergies, was director for 15 population so that they can stay can still enjoy a lively and diversified years. For more than 40 years, this here on the territory,” Valérie Geslin mountain landscape. association has played an essential continued. The success of the cooperative cultural openness. Valérie Geslin, 97