Les Urbainculteurs, a nonprofit, has been 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… It’s all grown in town!
Our vision
Our dream is for urban agriculture to become part of the daily life of all city dwellers, wherever they are. Convinced that the changes needed on a global scale must be initiated locally, we aspire to more resilient and autonomous communities, fully rooted in their time and ready to face the challenges of the future.
Our mission
We develop and promote a productive, accessible and responsible urban agriculture for the benefit of organizations and individuals, in order to improve our living environments, promote an ecological transition and increase food security.
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
~ He / him ~
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.
~ She / her ~
Unable to decide between two options (marble ice cream is a blessing)
Runs after time to live all her passions
Complete Potterhead
Marie-Hélène Dubé
HR & Organizational Development manager
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!
Emilie Vanasse-Monette
Project Manager and Designer
From project planning to their realization, Emilie leads the boat (alongside Vicki) to create edible and aesthetic arrangements, adapted to the needs of our partners. She is also responsible for coordinating our operations schedule and supervising our field team. To do so, 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. When not at work, Emilie lives… on a farm. A real enthusiast!
In her pocket: A diploma in horticulture, another in landscape and marketing in ornamental horticulture, and maybe a few fresh eggs.
~ She / her ~
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!
Vicki Duval
Project Manager and Designer
Garden plans, customer relations, supervision… Vicki, like Emilie, makes sure our projects come to life! She is also responsible for coordinating material resources for our operations. 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 an origami crane straight out of her past as a craftswoman!
~ She / her ~
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
~ She / her ~
Official provider of funny expressions
Overwhelmed by her social life
« So. What do I eat for supper? » (At 11 AM)
Marie-Andrée Asselin
Horticultural manager, Consultant and Trainer
Mâche-patate Co-host
Marie-Andrée has worked as a horticulturist for Les Urbainculteurs since 2015. A real reference for technical questions, she plans and supervises the production of Jardins du bassin Louise, 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.
~ She / her ~
« No problem, everything's chill! »
Makes friends with everyone in 2 seconds
Exclaims with great enthusiasm
Claude-Marie Boulay-Côté
Project manager – Jardins du bassin Louise
Mixing market gardening and project management with a good dose of human relations, the position of project manager for Jardins du bassin Louise requires versatility, dynamism, organization and interpersonal skills. A tailor-made job for the colorful Claude-Marie, who knows how to support Marie-Andrée in managing crops as well as lead a group or plan a to-do list like a pro! Claude-Marie is also in charge of the social component of the urban farm, through the involvement of community organizations and volunteering. Outside of work, she can be found hiking, biking, snowboarding… or in her truck!
In her pocket: A bachelor’s degree in educational sciences, a diploma in horticultural production, a past as a basketball player despite her 5 foot 1 and a few climbing carabiners.
Arielle Girard-Bouchard
Project manager – Centre éducatif en agriculture urbaine
First met as part of a reintegration and food security project for which she was an integration officer, Arielle wanted to take the leap to fully participate in our mission and live her passion for gardening. Her training, her background with community organizations and as a trainer with diverse audiences, her great creativity and thirst for innovation combine to make her a keen and organized project leader.
In her pocket: A bachelor’s degree in counseling, a master’s degree in people and organization development and soon a diploma in development and management of an urban agriculture program.
~ She / her ~
Yes, like the little mermaid! (hello, 90's kids!)
Her spirit animal: the squirrel, definitely
Always looking for new funky herbal tea blends
Flore Garon
Supply & Customer Service manager
Concerned by the social issues of the agri-food system and interested in environmental ethics, Flore wanted to get involved in the field. His experiences in customer service, sales and warehouse combine with his horticultural knowledge to provide great service to our customers. Flore is responsible for our online store and shipping, in addition to taking care of the supplies necessary for our operations, in partnership with Emilie.
In her pocket: A bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science, a diploma in horticultural production and, too often, a piece of paper with the name of a client to contact…
~ She / her ~
Calls cats ''pitou'' (basically, ''doggy'')
Collects houseplants (and houseplants illustrations!)
Cooks new dishes with varying results
~ He / him ~
Always doodling in his notebook during meetings
« Audrick? » « Bonjour! »
Offers or asks for a helping hand
Audrick McManiman
*On leave*
Carpenter
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.
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).
~ He / him ~
Drinks his daily smoothie
Up at 5 AM for a short 15 km bike ride
Has a fit of laughter that makes everyone laugh
Dominique Manny
*On leave*
Horticulturist (and other things)
Having held various positions in our team over the years, Dominique has been involved in just about every aspect of our activities. Today, he has returned to his first love: field work, hands in the ground. He is also the eye behind the lens of several of our photos and videos. 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.
Our occasional and seasonal employees
Jean-Philippe Pomerleau
Hydroponics consultant
Vincent Hanrion
Graphic designer
Board of directors
Luc Godin
FCPA, FCMA, M. ScPresident
Vice-president and Management advisor at Optima Management
Véronique Samson
Vice President
Urban planning advisor, Sustainable Mobility team at Ville de Québec
Anabelle Dubé
Secretary
Marketing, project management and sustainability consultant
Antoine Lacasse
M. Sc. Adm.Treasurer
Account manager at Caisse d’économie solidaire
Alexandra Beaulieu
Administrator
Director of human resources and internal communications at Musée de la Civilisation
Marie-Hélène Jacques
M. ScAdministrator
Head of Conservation and Education at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
William Corbin
Student Administrator
Candidate for a master’s in anthropology at Université Laval
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
