By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
A grassroots initiative to protect 80 acres of farmland near the Saint-François River in Sherbrooke received a major boost on Friday, as local MNA Christine Labrie announced a $7,000 donation that brings the fundraising total over the threshold needed to create a social utility agroecological trust (FUSA) on the property.
The announcement was made June 13 at a press conference held on the site, just outside Lennoxville, in the presence of project organizers and supporters. Labrie, MNA for Sherbrooke, said the donation represents part of her ongoing commitment to reinvest the salary increase Quebec MNAs voted themselves in 2023.
“I made a commitment a few years ago, when we got a 30 per cent raise, to give it back to the community,” she said during the event. “This year, I chose to support the creation of a trust on this farmland here by the river. It’s a citizen-led project that’s been in the works for years and is finally coming to life.”
According to the official press release issued by Labrie’s office, the donation helped the project organizers reach their fundraising goal of $33,363. The FUSA Jacques Simard will protect the land in perpetuity and make it accessible for future generations of farmers and for community events.
Étienne Doyon, one of the citizens leading the effort, explained that the 80-acre plot includes about 1.2 kilometres of riverfront and roughly 20 acres of arable land that has been farmed organically in recent years. “We launched the fundraising campaign this spring, and nearly 200 people contributed,” he said. “Christine’s donation helped us cross the finish line.”
The trust is expected to be formally established later this summer or by early fall. Doyon added that any funds raised beyond the initial goal will be used to install electrical and water access, deer fencing, and a small community tent. “The idea is not just to protect the farmland, but to create a place that’s open to the community—where people can celebrate, connect to nature, and participate in events,” he said during the press conference.
