A small AGM... but an association in great shape!

Éric

Mardi dernier, 28 janvier 2025, s’est tenue l’Assemblée Générale de notre chère association « Compostons Ensemble à Grosbreuil ».

Last Tuesday, 28 January 2025, saw the Annual General Meeting of our beloved association
"Compostons Ensemble à Grosbreuil".

Read the report

What a shame!
The tempting idea of "enjoying a feast together" may have made the rounds in the village... but clearly, the galette des rois and the cider didn't do anything to mobilise the troops!

Indeed, out of our 233 members, only 18 brave souls braved the cold (and no doubt laziness) to come and chat, exchange ideas and, of course, enjoy the galette. (Many thanks to those who sent apologies by email.👍).

However, the smell of the galettes travelled much further than expected! Carried by the Vendée wind, it even reached Dompierre-sur-Yon, where our alter ego, in charge of the local composting platform, came out of curiosity... and surely also out of solidarity, to share this convivial moment with us.

Why so few people?

Frankly, we wonder...
Are our members so satisfied with the work they do that they no longer feel the need to participate in decision-making?
Don't they see the point of the AGM?

Well, it would appear so!

There was one piece of good news that came out of the meeting: Compostons Ensemble is attracting more and more people!

  • In 2023, we had 27 active volunteers.
    In 2024, we literally exploded the counters with 45 volunteers on duty every Wednesday and Saturday. 🎉
    And that's not all! A great wave of solidarity has taken hold, with many members coming to lend a hand without necessarily committing themselves full-time.
    It's a great spirit of mutual aid that warms our hearts!❤️

New ideas taking root

It's at these meetings in particular that ideas emerge, often in informal discussions over a coffee (or a slice of galette, to keep with the theme).
These ideas are then incorporated into the year's projects.

So yes, the AGM is useful!

A stable and motivated Board

Despite the absence of new candidates to join the Board of Directors, the current team remains in place.
Still the same people, still motivated, still on deck! 💪

In the end?

No major decisions were taken this year, but it was a great evening, with constructive discussions and a good time of conviviality.

So, of course, we would have liked to see more people around the table...
But above all, we're proud of the dynamism that drives our association.

What next?

In 2025, new projects will see the light of day, still driven by our values of mutual aid and solidarity.
And who knows? Maybe the next AGM will attract more gourmets... and more motivated composters!

By the way, if you want to make (further) progress, you'll soon be receiving a survey. Because listening is the key to progress!

 

See you soon, and don't forget: composting is cool! 😎♻️

The Sense of Welcome... Even in the Rain!

Éric

 

Abri Cabane

Last Saturday, the weather decided to give us its best performance: driving rain, a chilly wind, and a sky as grey as mushroom soup.
But none of this dampened the enthusiasm of our heroes for the day, Philippe Larrue and Philippe Guilloteau, who, armed with smiles and a battered umbrella, were on duty to welcome members to the Grosbreuil composting site.

Settled in the narrow, dimly-lit hut, which could be nicknamed "The Cosy Chalet" if it weren't a wooden tool shed, our two companions are well aware that they won't be seeing as many people as on sunny days.

Composting in the rain is a bit like having a barbecue in the middle of December... you don't get many people at the door!

Fortunately, Stéphanie, Laurent, Catherine, Annick and Éric, always devoted and no doubt slightly adventurous, are there to keep them company. Not to stir up the wet earth, of course, but rather to swap local gossip and share a comforting cup of coffee.
Although they are not overflowing with members, the latest news seems to be that the atmosphere is local.

The spirit of solidarity never fails!

But don't underestimate the potential for great ideas to emerge in these moments of calm and driving rain!
In between anecdotes about life in the village, discussions often turn to more serious matters: how about taking advantage of this lull to brainstorm ideas for the next Board meeting? Or why not come up with new ways of improving the service provided to members of the platform?
After all, the best ideas always come at the most unexpected times. Who knows, maybe the next innovation will be born on a rainy morning in Grosbreuil?

On the programme: a few secrets about the last town council meeting, some gossipy gossip from the village, and a few laughs in the rain.
Who said that a warm welcome was only as good as its attendance? With such a jovial team, you'd almost think it was a privilege to spend a morning keeping warm in the compost hut.

As the rain intensifies, our two Philippe's are still smiling. With muddy shoes and light hearts, they prove once again that even the gloomy weather on the Grosbreuil platform cannot extinguish the warm spirit that reigns there.
In fact, you could bet that, if they had the chance, they would welcome members in rain boots and yellow oilskins... just for fun!

Come rain or shine, the team of volunteers is there, ready to welcome all those who dare to brave the elements to drop off a few peelings.

And who knows? Maybe next time a ray of sunshine will join them... or not.
But whatever happens, the Grosbreuil welcome is always warm!

An unforgettable picnic at Catherine and Laurent's: a day of food, conviviality and a touch of the epicurean! (2)

Éric
Saturday 14 September was the event that all Grosbreuil had been waiting for: the annual compost platform picnic.
 

 

And like every year, the 2024 edition did not disappoint!
Catherine and Laurent, our attentive hosts, welcomed us under their barn transformed into a banqueting hall, and believe me, between the food, the good humour and a few glasses of homemade trouspinette, this day will remain engraved in our hearts... and perhaps also in our stomachs.

The aperitif kicked off the festivities.
Well, aperitifs, because everyone had taken care to bring along a little culinary treasure from their favourite region.
Sausages and pâtés were on the menu, but the undisputed star of the aperitif was Jean-Pierre's homemade trouspinette. A local nectar which, let's face it, could have a second career as a mood booster at folk dances.
One sip and off we went! The conviviality was at its peak. In any case, I'll remember it - and so will my liver!

Then it was off to the plancha. With Polish sausages, Ch'ti charcuterie from the North, and delicacies from Vendée, this picnic had the air of the United Nations General Assembly of Taste. Enough to make food lovers dream. Special mention must go to the diversity of the dishes and the creativity of the guests: we went from Eastern Europe to the French terroirs in a single mouthful.

And the desserts, oh, the desserts! There were so many to choose from, it was a real test for those with a sweet tooth.

As for Fabienne, she didn't hesitate for a second to try all the sweet treats... several times. The photos don't lie, she looked absolutely delighted. But who could blame her? After a feast like this, you don't judge, you applaud.

 

To round off the day (or at least give it a try), we took a leisurely stroll around the pond. The grass had been freshly mown by Laurent that morning, so we could stretch our legs without getting stuck in the vegetation. After a few minutes of walking in the sun, the digestive process began to take effect, and the sweet torpor of happiness took hold of us. All we needed was a hammock to sink into a post-picnic siesta.

20

 

In short, the day was a real success, with delicious food, a happy atmosphere and a warm welcome.
And if you missed it, don't worry, there'll be another one next year!
You'll have another chance to experience this unforgettable moment - we look forward to seeing you there!

The Dynamics of Volunteers: A Compost Platform Full of Life!

Éric

Since April this year, our compost platform has been open every Wednesday and Saturday morning.
But behind these limited time slots, a great deal of activity is taking place, led by a handful of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.
Their unfailing commitment is transforming our space into a friendly, welcoming place for all our members to share.

cabanonLast Monday, on Annick's initiative, further proof of this collective energy was provided.
In the early hours of the morning, a group of volunteers set about emptying and refitting the shed from top to bottom!
It certainly took a lot of elbow grease, but the results were well worth the effort!

Katia and Jean-Louis, who are regularly on hand to help out, couldn't stop smiling as they took in the new facilities.

Thanks to these actions, the garden shed is now more functional and better organised to welcome our members.

And that's just one example! Laurent, our tractor virtuoso, has set himself the task of making the green waste area even more accessible.


tracteur

He has even moved the compost heap towards the entrance to make it easier for everyone to sift and recover it.

The initiatives are many and varied.
Every week, our volunteers do their utmost to maintain the children's garden, staff the offices against all the odds, improve the organisation of the site, and so on.

There's never a shortage of ideas, but now more than ever we need reinforcements to keep the energy flowing!

Our compost depot is more than just a place to drop off your compost; it's a place to live, to exchange ideas and to help each other, run by passionate volunteers who make every meeting a unique opportunity for sharing.

 

Don't hesitate to join us and share in this wonderful adventure!

Discovering lacto-fermentation with Corinne: A delicious and rewarding workshop at the Jardins de Grosbreuil

Éric

Corinne, a keen market gardener from "Les Jardins de Corinne" in Grosbreuil, gave us a warm welcome - a small gathering of 7 people from the Grosbreuil composting site - for a workshop on LACTOFERMENTATION.

For the occasion, she had prepared several white cabbages to be cut into thin strips, as well as various home-made preparations for us to sample, such as garlic flowers, peppers and cabbages... All, of course, under the watchful eye of lactic bacteria, our new invisible best friends.

Lacto-fermentation is a bit like magic in the kitchen: vegetables are mixed with salt, and then the lactic acid bacteria get to work transforming the sugars into lactic acid.
This process creates an acidic environment that preserves our vegetables while repelling unwanted microbes.
From there, anything is possible: cabbages, carrots, beetroot, cucumbers and many other vegetables can go through this natural preservation "makeover".

For the workshop, Corinne showed us how to prepare white cabbage for lacto-fermentation.

  • It all starts with a fine, meticulous cutting session,
  • Followed by mixing with 20 grams of salt per kilo of cabbage.
  • Then it's off to the gym! We squeeze the cabbage into the jar with all the strength of our little arms, to expel the air and ensure that the lactic acid bacteria have free rein.
  • And here's where it gets interesting: the jar needs to ferment quietly for 10 to 15 days.
  • A little professional advice: place the jar in a tray to catch any water that might escape during fermentation... Yes, cabbage also has the right to a little freedom!

Our warmest thanks go to Corinne, our teacher and lacto-fermentation 'chef', for a workshop full of discoveries and good times. Some of us had no hesitation in plunging our hands into the cabbage with unsuspected enthusiasm! And for those of you who missed this memorable episode, don't worry:

Corinne invites all our members to repeat the experience on Saturday 21 at 2.30pm.
Come and knead, taste and laugh with us!

 

When the spirit of cohesion is a little lacking... or the story of the shared straw bales

Éric

On Thursday 22nd, under a beautiful sunny sky, we met at 3pm for an important moment in the life of the association: the making and collecting of our famous bales of straw.

To round off the day's work, a friendly barbecue was planned for 12.30 p.m. at Laurent's house, so we could all get our feet wet and have a good time together.

Of the 200 members of our association, 28 had expressed an interest in picking up a few bales of straw.
That day, however, the number of participants quickly dwindled.
Despite a barbecue attended by a dozen or so guests, only six or eight brave souls took part in the work afterwards.

These few volunteers, to whom we offer our warmest thanks, did a remarkable job!
They unrolled the straw into round bales, spread it out so that the baler could make the long-awaited 15kg bales, then loaded the 200 bales onto the trailer, ready to be delivered next Wednesday from 10am to midday to the Grosbreuil composting site.
It's worth noting that not all of these hard workers had come to collect straw for themselves...

It's true that we would have hoped for a larger turnout, especially from those who were waiting for their straw.
It's always a pleasure to work together, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and share moments of open camaraderie.
But we also understand that everyone has their constraints and that not everyone could be there that day.

We simply hope that on future occasions, even more of us will be able to share these moments, so that we can continue to keep alive the spirit of association that is so dear to our hearts. After all, the little things we do together are what make our association so special and friendly.

Finally, we're calling on all volunteers to come and help us unload the 200 bales of straw
next Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Grosbreuil composting site.

The more of us there are, the lighter and quicker the task will be. It will also be another opportunity to share a convivial moment together.

We're counting on you and your invaluable support!

Living Well Together: For the Use of Mr or Mrs "X"

Éric

Depot SauvageIt's a beautiful sunny day in Grosbreuil today. It's a perfect day to visit the composting site, where volunteers are enthusiastically getting together to prepare for the opening and welcome local residents in good spirits.
But when we arrived, surprise!

One dark individual saw fit to dispose of his bags of weeds in front of the entrance. Charming, isn't it?

So, Mr or Mrs "X", we understand that our twice-weekly openings on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am to midday may not suit your busy schedule.
But let us remind you that annual membership costs just 2 euros.

Too expensive? Don't worry, we can set up a payment plan: 20 cents per month for 10 months.

Still too inconvenient? You can also take your green waste to the waste collection centre.
We know it's a bit of an effort, but think of the satisfaction you'll feel knowing that you're contributing to the good life together and respecting the work of the volunteers from the "Compostons Ensemble à Grosbreuil" association.

So what can we do about this obvious incivility? We could consider setting up a course to raise awareness of civility and respect for others. Perhaps a workshop on the benefits of composting and the importance of respecting community schedules and rules. Who knows, you might be interested!

In the meantime, we'll continue to do our best to keep this place welcoming and clean, despite the minor annoyances caused by disrespectful behaviour. We sincerely hope that you will find a way to join our wonderful community of respectful and enthusiastic volunteers.

We look forward to welcoming you, Mr or Mrs "X", to share with you the joy of composting in a spirit of good humour and respect for each other.

Because, after all, living well together starts with small gestures of respect on a daily basis.

Grosbreuil, 3 July - A Compost Turner in Action

Éric

It was an unusual Wednesday morning at the Grosbreuil composting facility. Our usual activities were suspended, our eyes fascinated by a singular machine.

1

This mechanical creature, the "Compost Turner", was ready to demonstrate its talents.
A crowd of curious onlookers had gathered, eager to discover the secrets of this imposing machine.

  • Ballet Mécanique: An Aerial Symphony

2

The compost turner moved with surprising grace. Its broad metal arms plunged into the windrow, lifting and turning tonnes of organic matter with almost artistic ease. But this mechanical ballet was not just a visual spectacle. With each rotation, the machine breathed a vital breath of oxygen into the compost.
This meticulous aeration is essential for our aerobic micro-organisms, the real artisans of decomposition.
Without oxygen, these little workers run out of steam, slowing down the process and generating foul odours.

  • The Dance of Temperature

The heat emanating from the windrow bore witness to the intense microbial activity. The turner not only mixed the material, but also ensured that the heat was evenly distributed. A gesture here, a movement there, and the hot spots disappeared, allowing the temperature to remain in the ideal zone for rapid and efficient decomposition.

  • Uniformity and Harmony

Before the amazed eyes of the spectators, the turner also proved his role as a great harmoniser. By mixing the different layers of the swath, he ensured even decomposition. Each fragment of organic matter found its place in this symphony of decomposition, accelerating the transformation of waste into fertile compost.

  • Water Balance: A Precise Alchemy

Like an orchestra conductor, the turner also controlled humidity. By redistributing the water contained in the windrow, he maintained an optimum level of humidity. Too much water, and the micro-organisms drown; too little, and they dry out. Thanks to this precise alchemy, composting took place in perfect conditions.

  • Sentinel Against Pathogens and Weeds

But the turner's work didn't stop there. By maintaining high temperatures through regular turning, it also acted as a sentinel, eradicating pathogens and weed seeds. As a result, the final compost promised to be healthy and pest-free.

  • Preventing Compaction: Keeping the Windrow Light

Finally, the turner combats the natural compaction of the swath. By agitating and aerating the material, it prevented the formation of compact masses, ensuring free circulation of air and facilitating the work of micro-organisms.

 

  • Conclusion: One Machine, Miracles

    4

As the demonstration drew to a close, the crowd dispersed, their heads full of respect for this extraordinary machine. The compost turner, far from being a mere machine, had proved to be a maestro, orchestrating the complex ballet of composting with precision and efficiency. Thanks to him, the organic matter found a new life, ready to nourish the soils of tomorrow.

Consolidation of the Children's Garden planters

Éric

 

Last Saturday saw the completion of a crucial new stage: the consolidation of the planters.

Armed with drills, sledgehammers, crowbars, forks and shovels, and once again endowed with inexhaustible courage, our valiant companions set about straightening the sturdy chestnut planks that make up the tubs.


Every screw driven in, every plank adjusted, bore witness to their determination to provide children with a sustainable, resilient space.

Through the laughter and animated conversations, the sound of tools echoed, marking the constant progress and solidarity of this dedicated team.


Together, they have transformed these simple chestnut planks into treasure troves, ready to be planted next Thursday when the schoolchildren come to try their hand at gardening.

It was in this atmosphere of camaraderie and determination that the Grosbreuil Children's Garden took shape.

 

  1. The School of Nature: Platform Volunteers transform the Children's Garden
  2. Abandoned nozzle
  3. A revolution in composting thanks to Jean-Luc and his manual sifter!
  4. That's what self-help is all about

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⚠️ Windrow Alert

Is the windrow not heating up? The most likely cause is a lack of carbon. Wood chips are essential to balance the nitrogen-rich food scraps. Please always respect:1 part caddy waste  +  3 parts wood chips

💡 Did You Know?

Compost allows you to stop using chemical fertilisers.

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