Contact
819 758-6401 ext. 2368
theberge.catherine@cegepvicto.ca
My background is rooted in community intervention, support, development, and mobilization. I hold a master’s degree in Regional Development, and I’m passionate about agri-food projects that have a real, long-lasting impact on communities—especially in rural areas.
Since joining CISA in 2017, I’ve led and supported partners in a variety of action research projects. These have focused on the use and revitalization of fallow and underused lands, agricultural land trusts (FUSA), innovative models to support farm establishment, and particularly on the profile, challenges, and needs of the next generation of farmers establishing themselves outside of the traditional family farm model. More recently, I’ve been especially interested in issues related to establishing fruit producers—looking at long-term sustainability and the viability of their agricultural projects.
In the current context of agroecological transition and Québec’s growing commitment to food sovereignty, I see major challenges ahead for the future of our agriculture: limited access to farmland and property for the next generation, financial pressures and profitability concerns, social isolation, psychological distress and farmer burnout, and the risks tied to extreme climate events. Far from discouraging me, these challenges are what drive my motivation to co-create and develop innovative solutions that truly respond to the needs of tomorrow’s agriculture.
Research Themes
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Establishing the next generation of farmers
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Access to farmland
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Protection of agricultural land
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Agricultural social utility trust
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Social and professional integration through agri-food
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Regional food systems