The neo-agriculturist / YouTuber Ophélie Damblé answers our questions
Today, we are discussing TA MÈRE NATURE, under her real name Ophélie Damblé, who works in urban agriculture. She created a neighborhood nursery in the Cité Fertile (93) and is also the one who organizes the Christmas Market Autre de la REcyclerie in which Meanwhile Boutique participated.
Introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Ophélie, I am an urban farmer and content creator, I set up a project called Ta Mère Nature .
Your educational background?
I studied cinema and theater, alongside a lot of music, then worked in professions related to communication (freelancer, radio columnist, community manager, booker, etc.). 3 years ago I retrained in agriculture, and specialized in the profession of nurseryman .
Why organize a Christmas market differently?
I was obviously super happy to be able to meet people and highlight local producers and artisans who so deserve to be supported right now.
Your favorite item on the Meanwhile Boutique stand?
Slow infusion's CBD infusion (which is unfortunately no longer available on Meanwhile Boutique) to sleep well at night :)
Your greatest pride ?
The creation of my nursery at Cité Fertile (Pantin, 93), I have been producing plants there and welcoming lots of people for workshops since last July. I'm also super proud to have released two books on urban greening ( Guerilla Green published by Steinkis, and Practical Manifesto of Urban Greening published by Solar), I didn't think I'd do that one day!
Why is it great to have your greenhouse in Paris?
Being able to cut myself off for a few moments from the urban bustle to concentrate on the microcosm that surrounds me.
Goals achieved for your greenhouse this year?
Yes, I managed to grow some pretty plants, which I was then able to sell, it was very strange and moving the first time! I was also able to welcome lots of people in workshops, set up the greenhouse as I imagined it… it was very intense and now we will have to make all of that sustainable.
The most difficult thing to manage with the greenhouse?
Watering, neither too much nor too little… management of diseases and pest attacks. You have to be alert all the time.
3 permaculture tips?
- Attract pollinators with honey plants
- Take the time to carefully observe your environment before getting started
- Use resources as local as possible.
What made you want to make Youtube videos?
The desire to share my career change while leading a project on my own for the first time from A to Z (filming, editing, promotion, etc.)
Your latest book?
Practical manifesto for urban greening is a book that compiles 50 tutorials for greening your city at all scales. We start from home, and gradually work in our building, our neighborhood and finally, the entire city! I wanted it to be easy to access, colorful and above all very fun.
Your best book of 2020 (and not yours)?
Best I don't know, but I loved these 2 books: How to bring down a dictator when you're alone, very small and without a weapon or Rather color in beauty than float without grace
Your favorite influencers/youtubers?
Juno Birch & Gaëlle Garcia Diaz
Your upcoming projects?
Give a slightly more “artistic” dimension to my work, and perpetuate everything I put in place in 2020.
A final message to convey?
Listen to the album “ Joy as an act of resistance ” by Idles, it’s good for the ears. ( We'll give you the link here )
Discover your favorite item on Meanwhile Boutique
Watch the video interview on our Instagram channel
Your Mother Nature is for dunces who think they don't have a green thumb.
Follow her on Youtube
