Votre Cercle de Vie
That's what it's all about
- A sustainable competence center that combines agriculture, tourism, health and education is being built in the Vaud municipality of Château-d’Œx.
- Over 500 people have already been involved in the pioneering project in recent years.
- The center is scheduled to open in 2024.
Text: Nik Thomi, Photos: Linn Jousson, Illustration: Bruno Yerly
Votre Cercle de Vie is the story of a farming family from the Pays-d’Enhaut in the canton of Vaud. But it is also the story of faith in the wholeness of the human organism, in the power of synergies and biodiversity. It is the story of the courage to do pioneering work, to relinquish control and to trust. And it is the story of the idealistic struggle against the alienation of modern man from nature.
Agriculture as an umbilical cord
When Esther Gerber was born on a mountain farm in Simmental in the mid-1980s, no one would have expected that 38 years later she would be the protagonist of a feature film about what is probably Switzerland’s most revolutionary sustainable farming project: Votre Cercle de Vie – initiated by Esther Mottier-Gerber and her husband Nicolas Mottier. An agricultural competence center that is intended to function as a unique microcosm consisting of 18 different fields of activity. A circle of life based on the “cradle to cradle” principle: everything from food and furniture to water, animal excrement and waste is to be collected, transformed and reused. A center that aims to reconnect people with nature. Because for Esther Mottier-Gerber it is clear: “You can only take care of something you know.” And agriculture, as the umbilical cord between man and nature, is probably the most important link.
In the spirit of the next generation
The Mottiers had already laid the foundations for their ambitious project by gradually converting to biodynamic farming and opening two organic stores and a naturopathic practice. However, the birth of their son Laurent gave them the final impetus to pursue their chosen path. “Suddenly we realized the immediacy of the need for action,” says Esther Mottier-Gerber. “The birth of a child makes you realize that your actions on earth not only affect you, but also the next generation in a direct way.” Instead of waiting for politicians to find solutions in the fight against the impending climate catastrophe, the Mottier-Gerber couple thought about what they could do themselves with the means at their disposal.
This gave rise to the idea of building a competence center that symbiotically combines people and nature. One day, the futuristic-looking buildings will not only house a stable, guest rooms, a restaurant and a natural wellness oasis, but also an organic food store, practices for general medicine and naturopathy as well as classrooms.
Earn money sustainably
In addition to the idealistic drive to promote biodiversity and sustainability in general, the focus from the outset was also on profitability. “We want to prove that economy and ecology don’t have to be opposites,” says Esther Mottier-Gerber, pointing out that Cercle de Vie should serve as a model and be applicable to other farms and regions in Switzerland.
In order to realize this monumental and extremely complex project, the Mottiers rely on a huge network of supporters. “Over the past 12 years, more than 500 people have been involved in the project,” says Esther Mottier-Gerber. “In addition to countless companies, various universities are also involved. For example, one engineer calculated that the waste heat from a single pig alone could heat an entire modern, well-insulated house. Findings like this are fascinating and very valuable for us.”
Construction of the competence center is due to start soon. After nine years of coordination work with the canton of Vaud and 21 offices involved, the Mottiers are now waiting for the final approval from a federal commission. The public planning application can then be submitted. Financing is also well underway. Among other things, over 90,000 francs have been raised through crowdfunding so far. Provided no objections delay the project, it should be possible to celebrate the opening in three years’ time. However, the pioneers have already achieved one goal: “We wanted to show that everyone can make a difference, regardless of their background.” And they can!
"People can only take care of things they know."People can only take care of things that they know.Esther Mottier-Gerber
"Le Pari d'Esther"
In the film “Le Pari d’Esther”, freelance journalist Camille Andres and her team document the ecological changes in the Vaud Alps and explore the question of what the greatest challenges are for agriculture and tourism in the face of global warming. To do so, they portray a remarkable woman, imbued with a deep conviction: People must be brought back into harmony with nature.