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
Every hour we work, we dedicate it to the promotion of gardening and urban agriculture by:
Taking Action
We believe that the best way to demonstrate the benefits of urban agriculture is to put it into practice. Every year we design, plant and maintain several urban vegetable gardens, in pots as in the ground, and even on rooftops.
Raising awareness
In our wildest dreams, every citizen has a vegetable garden, every business adds green to its space with edible plants. To make you see life in green, we share our passion in conferences and training, in our newsletters, and here and there on the web.
Offering products
Farming in the city has its own constraints. In order to give you a hand, we offer concrete solutions to grow in the city, small, medium or large scale. In our shop, you will find products adapted to the urban environment, of which 100% of the profits serve our mission!
You share our mission? You want to support us, while enjoying various benefits?
Become a member of our organization!
Our values
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
Bread-and-hummus-based diet
Defuses problematic situations with sensitivity
« OK, d'accord »
Johann Girault
General director
Johann (pronounced Yoan) is always imagining new projects while ensuring that those in progress are carried out. In addition to leading our organization in urban agriculture, he is co-owner of Les Jardins de la Mescla, an organic vegetable farm. It seems like he is not busy enough, because he also finds time to play soccer. Johann is also trained in nonviolent communication and is a mediator in the cohabitat where he lives.
In his pocket: A bachelor’s degree in agronomy, an MBA in corporate social and environmental responsibility, and… chocolate.
Bursts out laughing... and apologize right after
Being as energetic as if she was on a sugar high
Dreams about 40 000 projects in her head
Vicki Duval
Projects coordinator
Trainer and speaker
Garden plans, customer relations, supervision… Vicki is an extension of Marie-Hélène J.’s brain! She even shares her interest in handicrafts and textiles. 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 project management, community organization and urban agriculture! 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!
Dominique Manny
Project, multimedia and supply manager
Mâche-patate Producer
Dominique is our project manager and human-Swiss knife. He supports MH Jacques and Vicki in project management, while being in charge of distribution and online orders. Armed with his camera and his bike suit, he is also the eye behind the lens and our favorite director-cameraman-sound-technician-editor. 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.
Peels his daily carrot
Has a fit of laughter that makes everyone laugh
Comes to work cross-country skiing
Marie-Hélène Dubé
Communications manager
Mâche-patate Co-host
Marie-Hélène is honored to showcase our projects and spread urban agriculture! Playing the roles of community manager, editor, content creator, podcast host, webmaster and graphic designer, she gets involved in just about every project. When she’s not admiring 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 arts, human sciences, religions, public relations, sustainable development… a tortuous path!
Listens to you even if she knows more about it than you do
Reminds us of our goals at meetings that go in all directions
Runs after time to live all her passions
Impossible? I'll prove you wrong!
Speaks excellent French in 3-4 months, without taking classes
Makes detailed and efficient summaries of all our meetings
Martino Mangili
Project manager, business development
After working in television and film production in Rome, Martino moved to Quebec City after a one-year backpacking trip to volunteer in Asia and South America. Convinced of the power of storytelling to educate people and create change, he works to connect his passion for audiovisual content to meaningful projects. His goal: to spread the message of Les Urbainculteurs by creating partnerships with actors ready to “be part of the solution”!
In his pocket: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in multimedia production management, a diploma in permaculture and… an Italian card game.
Official provider of funny expressions
Feels sleepy after lunch
Tours the finest restaurants
Marie-Andrée Asselin
Horticulturist
Trainer and speaker
Mâche-patate Co-host
Marie-Andrée has worked as a horticulturist for the Urbainculteurs since 2015. Previously, she worked as a market gardener for the hotel La Ferme and did an internship in a French hopping farm. Being a ball of energy, she takes care of the plants as well as of the conferences and training she gives. Outside of work, if you don’t find Marie-Andrée running, cross-country skiing or drinking an IPA on a terrace, she is probably knitting… or dying wool with MH Jacques for their project Couleurs locales.
In her pocket: A past as an archivist (and a bachelor’s degree in Ancient Studies), as well as a collegial diploma in horticultural production.
Aurélie Bélisle-Richard
Awareness officer
Passionate about voluntary simplicity and local resilience, Aurélie returns from two years in British Columbia where she worked on farms and as a horticulturist. While preparing her Master’s degree in Environmental Ethics, she puts her beliefs and experience at the service of promoting local gardening as an awareness officer. As such, she is responsible for our shop, spreading tips and animating. You will certainly have the pleasure of meeting her big smile by visiting us.
In her pocket: A bachelor’s degree in philosophy and literature, a handmade bow and some local veggies.
Stocks up on local food as winter approaches
Back to basics: how did we do that, before?
Spreads her homemade umeboshi on ears of corns
Robin Marier
Horticulturist
Robin has been a horticulturist for the Urbainculteurs since 2013. A man of few words, he may seem like a tough guy, but really, he is the most sensitive of us all. Having adopted the Urbainculteurs as his family, he gives so much love to his plants that they go through the whole season unscathed. Always ready to lend a hand, he makes sure that we work in a clean environment and that we are well fed… with sugar, preferably.
In his pocket: A diploma in horticulture, a past in the restaurant industry and photos of cats.
Be the king of jams and rice krispies squares
Takes care of his cat
Has already in stock what we will need (even if we don't know it yet)
Skateboarding like a pro
Be a real tough guy by clearing the roofs from snow in Old Quebec
Wishes to learn how to cook, but has a long way to go
Bastien Girault
Horticulturist
Carpenter
In his pocket: A diploma in horticultural production and a license as “Experimenter of plants”, but certainly no lunch.
Has favorite plants
Adds sriracha on everything
Has a foolproof memory
Marie-Hélène Jacques
*On maternity leave*
Operations director
Trainer and speaker
Mâche-patate Co-host
Delving into her knowledge of edible perennials and permaculture as fast as into her expertise in project management, Marie-Hélène directs our operations with enthusiasm and attention to detail. Her incredible adventures are matched only by her impressive resume, which makes her both the most likeable and reliable leader we can have. We’re lucky she does not pursue one of dozens of other careers that interest her! She also leads the project Couleurs locales with Marie-Andrée.
In her pocket: A baccalaureate and a master’s degree in biology, but no phone because she forgot it somewhere.
Board of directors
Hubert Corbeil
MBAPresident
General director at Big Bang – Leaders d’innovation sociale
Lecturer at Université LavalVéronic Dufour
M. EnvVice President
Strategic sustainability leader at Optel
Marie-Pierre Boucher
B. Soc. Serv.Administrator
Coordinator at RÉSEAU pour le développement psychosocial par le sport et le plein air
Sandrine Jouis
M. ATDRSecretary
Agritourism development officer at Québec, région gourmande
Rebecca Breton
B. ScAdministrator
Student at MBA in corporate social and environmental responsibility
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
Mrs. Eisenmann and Mr. Denault founded Les Urbainculteurs in 2009. After eight seasons of passion and hard work, they chose to dedicate themselves to other projects. Since January 2017, Mr. Johann Girault has been replacing them as General Director.
Marie Eisenmann
Co-founder
Francis Denault
Co-founder
