{"id":2633,"date":"2023-01-17T09:07:56","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T08:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isigny-ste-mere.com\/notre-cooperative\/un-terroir-d-exception\/"},"modified":"2023-12-29T09:44:09","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T08:44:09","slug":"our-terroir","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.isigny-ste-mere.com\/en\/our-cooperative\/our-terroir\/","title":{"rendered":"Our terroir"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to the heart of the Isigny terroir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We often talk about our unspoilt terroir which guarantees the quality of our products, but what is so special about this terroir?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s explore this dairy \u201cGarden of Eden\u201d, which for centuries has offered characteristics of which we can be proud. Although the Isigny-sur-Mer name and reputation are renowned worldwide, who could accurately locate this Normandy village on a map?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An oceanic climate that encourages growth for exceptional grass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During summer, the temperature in this humid terroir remains mild, and the winters are not particularly harsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our pastures benefit from the sea spray and the temperate oceanic climate, which ensure exceptional grass growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means our cows graze on lush grass which produces very high-quality milk, enriched with mineral salts, micronutrients and oleic fatty acids.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A very restricted collection area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The collection area covers a geographical zone of 50 km in the Cotentin and Bessin regions around Isigny-sur-Mer. It has been transformed and shaped by mankind and today promotes the emergence of a prestigious and abundant pastureland terroir, a true \u201cfountain of Butter and Cream\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This terroir is home to our 380 farms, the majority of which are located in the Manche and in the Cotentin marshes in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A multitude of rivers run through the marshes, forming a dense network of waterways irrigating the land and making it rich and fertile due to the alluvial deposits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The small town of Isigny-sur-Mer lies between fresh and salt water expanses, right where two very different landscapes meet: the lowlands, which are home to the Cotentin and Bessin marshes, and the uplands, where the wooded bocage landscape is found.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The lowlands: Cotentin and Bessin marshes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This is a vast wetland covering 25,000 hectares, internationally recognised for its rich biodiversity. The Cotentin and Bessin marshes are shaped by the valleys of five rivers; four of which, the Douve, Taute, Vire and Aure, flow into the Baie des Veys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These marshes benefit from exceptional geological and topographical conditions to which unique vegetation has adapted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long wet meadows, which are particularly favoured by Normande cows, can be walked through but in winter they are covered with fresh water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The landscape of the lowlands is particularly varied. It ranges from isolated expanses of grassy turf where cows quietly graze, to peaty areas covered with a silty clay layer, and soft springy soil, with a characteristic black peat colour, and hedgerows of trees and shrubs under which the herds can take shelter in hot weather. The soils sometimes contain tangue, marine and river sediments composed of small shells, organic matter and clay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these characteristics enable us to produce exceptional milk and to manufacture products of unrivalled quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The aim of our project is to support the hedge network in the bocage landscape. It is very valuable in terms of heritage, for biodiversity and carbon storage. The Cooperative supports farmers\u2019 projects, to preserve hedges and plant new ones.<\/p>\n Arnaud Fossey, President of the Isigny Sainte-M\u00e8re Cooperative<\/cite>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Marshes over the 4 seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Agricultural activities and practices in the marshes are determined by the seasonal patterns. Here, the people respect nature\u2019s cycles\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From winter to spring, the landscape is buffeted by westerly winds, sea spray, and persistent light rain that shape the landscape and give it a marine influence. In spring and summer, the sun awakens the fauna and flora and warms the marshes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n