Between Espalion and Laguiole, in the heights of the Lot valley, Marie and Michaël have taken over an organic goat farm, introducing a production still rare in the Aubrac region. These young farmers, referred to as NIMA ('Non-Issus du Milieu Agricole' - Not from an Agricultural Background), chose to settle far from their native Picardy to take over the activity from Christian and Pascale, the previous owners.
Marie and Michaël met during their agro-environmental engineering studies. It was after a final year internship that Marie discovered the farm and its potential. The installation project, initially focused on market gardening for Michaël, took on a new dimension with the handover of the goat and cheese farm in 2020. The establishment was gradual, involving the setup of greenhouses for diversified vegetable production and Marie's training in cheese making.
The herd currently consists of 90 goats, predominantly of the Alpine breed, supplemented by a few goats of the Massif Central breed. The animals graze in the surrounding meadows and woods, diversifying their diet and utilizing plots that would otherwise be unusable. The farm is self-sufficient in hay for feeding the herd but must purchase cereals due to several plots being destroyed by wild boars.
Reproduction is managed by 6 bucks, with births occurring in February. The kids are nursed by their mothers for as long as possible. Female kids are kept for herd renewal or sold, while male kids are processed for meat at two and a half months old. The annual milk production amounts to between 40,000 and 50,000 liters, all transformed on the farm into a wide variety of cheeses: fresh, creamy, dry, logs, cabécous, or crottins, some flavored.
Marie and Michaël's products are mainly sold at the weekly markets in Saint Geniez d’Olt, Espalion, Saint Côme d’Olt, and Laguiole, as well as at the summer night markets in Espalion and Le Cayrol. A few local grocery stores also resell their cheeses.
Certified organic since 2018, the farm also participates in the Marque Valeurs Parc (Park Values Brand) initiative, awarded in October 2025, highlighting its commitment to the territory and strong human values. Marie and Michaël regularly open their farm to the public for sales, as well as for convivial events like 'apéro-biquettes' (goat aperitifs) on summer Mondays, in partnership with the Terres d’Aveyron Tourist Office.
The couple plans to revive the market gardening workshop, while also taking time to rest and spend time with their two grandchildren before embarking on new challenges.
