La ferme des coquelicots

About La ferme des coquelicots

Ferme des Coquelicots is a diversified organic farm located near Tournai, in Willemeau. It is run and lived on by two families, supported by employees, freelancers, seasonal workers, and interns. The farm presents itself as a human-scale family operation with several complementary activities: goat dairy, market gardening, a farm shop, educational visits, seasonal events, a guesthouse, a restaurant, and training/stage activities.

The farm serves local households and visitors who want fresh, local, seasonal food and a countryside experience close to Tournai. It sells vegetable baskets to subscribed families, offers products through its farm shop and local outlets, and welcomes guests for meals, stays, educational activities, and summer events.

Core Values

• Organic farming: The farm emphasizes organic production and says its vegetables are grown in a conversion-to-organic system. Its approach is built around respecting the land and the people involved.
• Local and short supply chains: The farm highlights proximity, local sourcing, and short distribution routes. It aims to keep exchanges as close as possible to reduce the overall ecological footprint.
• Seasonality and freshness: Its vegetable baskets and dairy products are presented as seasonal, fresh, and made from the farm’s own production. The farm lets the seasons guide what is available and in what quantities.
• Human-scale farming: The company stresses a family-run, small-scale model with close relationships to customers, subscribers, and visitors. It combines production with hospitality and education rather than focusing on a single activity.

Unique Aspects

• Diversified farm ecosystem: The farm combines goats, vegetables, and other agricultural activities on the same site, creating a diversified polyculture-and-livestock model rather than a single-product farm.
• Direct local distribution: Beyond sales at the farm, its products are also available at the Kain market and through a network of local points of sale around Tournai and nearby towns.
• On-farm hospitality: The site includes a guesthouse above the restaurant, allowing visitors to stay directly on the farm and experience the rural setting.
• Seasonal public events: The farm organizes summer guinguettes with music, food, and family activities, adding an event dimension to its agricultural business.
• Educational and children’s programs: It runs farm-and-nature animations and holiday stages for children, showing a strong educational role alongside production.