Les Urbainculteurs are working since 2009 toward the development of a productive and accessible agriculture, adapted to the urban context. On rooftops and terraces or directly in the ground… we cultivate the city!
Our vision
We dream of a green and nourishing city, productive and enjoyable, fully rooted in its time and ready to face the challenges of the future. Convinced that the changes needed on a global scale must be initiated at the local level, we are working to develop an ecological and accessible agriculture, adapted to the urban context. One garden at a time, we change our living environment, promote biodiversity and produce fresh, healthy and ultra-local food.
Our mission
We develop and promote a productive, accessible and responsible urban agriculture for the benefit of organizations and individuals, in order to increase food security, improve our living environments and promote an ecological transition.
You share our mission? You want to support us, while enjoying various benefits? Become a member of our organization!
Our values
Les Urbainculteurs favors a collaborative and altruistic approach, putting forward the sharing of knowledge and partnerships. Their actions are always aiming for excellence, innovation and consistency. By working to green the urban space and produce food locally in an ecological approach, they are committed to reducing their negative impact on the environment and maximizing their positive impact. The organization also aims for financial autonomy and a greater freedom of action.
Working at Urbainculteurs means working in an open and flexible environment, where all are welcomed and valued for their strengths. Mutual aid and solidarity unite the team and allow it to accomplish an impressive number of projects each year. Above all, working at Urbainculteurs means having the space to grow, explore, innovate… while having fun!
The benefits of
Urban agriculture
Why practice urban agriculture? There are many benefits!
- Green and beautify the surroundings
- Eat fresh, healthy and local
- Reconnect with nature, seasons and the origin of food
- Reduce the transport-related pollution of food
- Participate in the fight against urban heath islands
- Contribute to biodiversity
- Promote food security
- Create social ties and share knowledge and crops
- Learn an essential knowledge
- Take action for a sustainable development, by a gesture that has a strong potential for media coverage
- Promote a responsible consumption and a local, ecological production
Defuses problematic situations with sensitivity
Comes up *again* with a crazy new project
Suddenly answers a question that was asked 5 minutes ago
Johann Girault
General director
Agronomist
Johann (pronounced Yoan) is the visionary of our team, the one who isn’t afraid to dare, always imagining new projects while ensuring that those in progress are carried out. In addition to leading our organization in urban agriculture, he co-owns Les Jardins de la Mescla, an organic vegetable farm. Johann is also trained in nonviolent communication and is a mediator in the cohabitat where he lives and that he helped to set up.
In his pocket: A bachelor’s degree in agronomy, an MBA in corporate social and environmental responsibility, and… chocolate.
Passionate about food self-sufficiency ... and a good eater
Has passed more than half of her life in horticulture or agriculture
Outdoors, outdoors and still outdoors!
Emilie Vanasse-Monette
Coordinator – Operations
During Vicki’s maternity leave, Emilie takes over to provide professional service to our clients. From project planning to their realization, she leads the boat to create edible and aesthetic arrangements, adapted to the needs of our partners. To do this, she relies on more than two decades of experience in horticulture, in addition to her experiences as a market gardener, team leader and customer service agent.
In her pocket: A diploma in horticulture, another in landscape and marketing in ornamental horticulture, and maybe a few fresh eggs.
Marie-Hélène Dubé
Coordinator – HR and organization development
Mâche-patate Co-host
After managing our communications for seven years, Marie-Hélène now supervises human resources and works on the development and internal organization of the company. Her mission also covers the improvement of our environmental and social practices. When she’s not contemplating the genius of nature, she can be found with her nose in a book or worrying about the hundreds of things she’d like to learn.
In her pocket: Studies in religions, public relations, sustainability… and probably some next class soon!
Reminds us of our goals at meetings that run in all directions
Runs after time to live all her passions
Complete Potterhead
Marie-Andrée Asselin
Horticultural manager and trainer
Mâche-patate Co-host
Marie-Andrée has worked as a horticulturist for the Urbainculteurs since 2015. A true reference for technical questions, she plans and supervises the production of the Louise Basin Gardens, and passes her knowledge on to our team of horticulturists. Outstanding at teaching, she is an excellent trainer and she has been co-hosting Mâche-patate since the summer of 2019. Outside of work, if you don’t find Marie-Andrée running, skiing or drinking an IPA on a terrace, she is probably knitting… or dying wool for her project Couleurs locales.
In her pocket: A past as an archivist (and a bachelor’s degree in Ancient Studies), as well as a diploma of college studies in horticultural production. Probably one or two Ottolenghi’s recipes too.
Official provider of funny expressions
Overwhelmed by her social life
« So. What do I eat for supper? » (At 11 AM)
Comes to work by bike all year round
Able to survive on his own in the woods
Can perform without a single drop of coffee
Vincent Hanrion
Communications manager
More than a decade as a graphic design and communication freelancer, the founding of the NPO Cinécyclo, thousands of kilometers by bike on several continents: there is no doubt as to Vincent being autonomous and a go-getter! With his backyard veggie patch, the picking of mushrooms in some secret location and a strong interest in people, it is only natural that he joined the Urbains in 2021! His role covers content creation, community management, writing, graphic design and press relations, in order to make our projects shine!
In his pocket: A graduate degree in graphic communication, work experiences in arts and sports organizations, and his bike, always close at hand.
Grits his teeth when seeing something cute
« Audrick? » « Hello! »
Offers or asks for a helping hand
Audrick McManiman
Carpenter and liaison officer
Combining horticulture, animation and social work, Audrick’s multidisciplinary profile immediately won us over. Skillful and mastering the difficult balance between efficiency and thoroughness, he quickly became our head carpenter. (You should see the stars in his eyes when he talks about woodworking!) Audrick continues to use his social work skills through his always relevant community-centered thinking, and by acting as a liaison officer to other organizations.
In his pocket: A baccalaureate in social work, multiple certificates, a course in home aquaponics and always a penknife (for non-violent reasons, such as peeling an apple or cutting string).
Dominique Manny
Supply and IT manager
Dominique is like a human Swiss army knife. In addition to managing our supply chain and supporting Cynthia with the online store, he helps Emilie to plan operations. Armed with his camera and his bike suit, he is the eye behind the lens of several of our photos (along with Étienne!). Dominique also edits our podcast episodes and, when the “damn technology” gets in our way, he is the geek who solves everything with a smile.
In his pocket: A bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental sciences. And his camera, of course.
Drinks his daily smoothie
Up at 5 AM for a short 15 km bike ride
Has a fit of laughter that makes everyone laugh
Claude-Marie Boulay-Côté
Activities coordinator at Louise Basin Gardens
Mixing market gardening, education, customer service and support, the position of Activities coordinator at the Louise Basin Gardens requires versatility, dynamism, organization and pedagogy. A tailor-made suit for the colorful Claude-Marie, who knows as much how to support Marie-Andrée in managing crops as she does in leading educational and entertaining activities! Claude-Marie is also in charge of the Volunteering component of the urban farm. As a bonus, she enjoys the coolest place in town all summer.
In her pocket: A bachelor’s degree in educational sciences, a diploma in horticultural production, a coffee cup and a few climbing carabiners.
« No problem, everything's chill! »
Makes friends with everyone in 2 seconds
Exclaims with great enthusiasm
Notices the beauty in everything
Takes off his shoes as soon as possible
Stretches his back by doing some yoga poses
Étienne Belles-Isles
Videographer and horticulturist
With one foot in nature and another on the moon, Étienne is a creative and a dreamer, while being organized and diligent in the projects he leads. After having co-directed our web mini-series on the Louise Basin Gardens in 2020, he is responsible in 2021 for directing, shooting and editing the video content of our future online training courses. At the same time, he actively participates in the installation and maintenance of our gardens. Passionate about human connection, he is also involved in supporting volunteers.
In his pocket: A bachelor’s degree in natural environments, cinema studies and a notebook to jot down new ideas that cross his mind.
Bursts out laughing... and apologize right after
Being as energetic as if she was on a sugar high
Gets mixed up with words or phrases
Vicki Duval
*On maternity leave*
Coordinator – Operations
Garden plans, customer relations, supervision… Vicki is the one who makes sure our projects come to life! After passing at Santropol Roulant, AmiEs de la Terre, Nature Québec, Ateliers à la Terre and Ferme Bédard Blouin, we can say that she is passionate about urban agriculture, project management and community organization! Radiant with good humor, Vicki is spontaneous, dynamic and entrepreneurial.
In her pocket: A bachelor’s degree in anthropology, a diploma in horticulture… and surely an origami crane!
Board of directors
Hubert Corbeil
MBAPresident
Advisor to the general direction at TELUQ University
Lecturer at Université LavalVéronic Dufour
M. EnvVice President
Strategic consultant in Sustainable development at Maillon Vert
Anabelle Dubé
Secretary
Digital marketing coordinator at Tero
Luc Godin
FCPA, FCMA, M. ScTreasurer
Vice-president and Management advisor at Optima Management
Véronique Samson
Administrator
Urban planning advisor, Sustainable Mobility team at Ville de Québec
Antoine Lacasse
M. Sc. Adm.Administrator
Account manager at Caisse d’économie solidaire
Valérie Babin
Student Administrator
Candidate for a master’s in communication at Université du Québec à Montréal
Do you want to lend a hand?
Send us your application to join our board of directors. You can also become a member of the Urbainculteurs!
Co-founders
Ms. Eisenmann and Mr. Denault founded Les Urbainculteurs in 2009. Through their daring, their dreams and their charisma, they conquered roof after roof, terrace after terrace, gradually greening Quebec. Marie’s numerous media appearances have greatly helped to promote urban agriculture and have certainly given rise to more than one garden. After eight seasons of passion and hard work, the co-founders of Les Urbainculteurs chose to dedicate themselves to other projects. Since January 2017, Mr. Johann Girault has been replacing them as General Director.
A big thank you for your vision and your work, Marie and Francis!
Marie Eisenmann
Co-founder
Francis Denault
Co-founder
