Young Guardians of Biodiversity: an exhibition showcasing the region’s vegetable garden treasures in the Centre-Val de Loire

On 28 November 2026, the Centre-Val de Loire Union for Genetic Resources (URGC) will open the exhibition “Young Guardians of Biodiversity” in La Châtre, made possible thanks to the involvement of 34 schools in the region. This exhibition is the culmination of several years’ work. The Collections & Biodiversity Fund (FCB) provided support through the project “In Search of Vegetable Varieties and Lost Skills in the Centre-Val de Loire”. The project has, in particular, helped to identify nearly 45 local varieties and raise awareness amongst a wide audience of the importance of preserving cultivated diversity.

More than 1,500 students took part in a wide range of activities: collecting testimonials, conducting surveys in care homes, observational drawings, comparative tastings, recording a podcast, seed propagation, historical research… all with the aim of rediscovering and raising awareness of the Centre-Val de Loire region’s forgotten vegetable varieties. Their work culminated in the creation of an information board summarising details (history, description, cultivation, etc.) about a heritage vegetable variety from the region.

Come and discover them at the public event “Treasures of our Vegetable Gardens”, dedicated to exploring the region’s forgotten vegetables. An exhibition, tastings, activities, guided tours and an introduction to seed production will feature throughout this afternoon, which is all about cultivated biodiversity.

Saturday 28 November 2026, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, at the MJCS in La Châtre (Indre). Free entry.