Tag Archive for: personal

#ProudOfOurStaff | The Jardin des Plantes, Winner of the 2022 National Vegetable Garden Contest!

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Did you know? The Jardin des Plantes is home to many unique features. Among the most recent is a permaculture vegetable garden. Created two years ago on the initiative of Jean-François “Jeff” Fauveau, a member of our team of botanist-gardeners, this permaculture garden is now the winner of the prestigious national vegetable garden competition, organized by the National Horticultural Society of France ! This is a source of immense pride for our Faculty and the teams at the Jardin des Plantes. At the awards ceremony held on November 30, we met Jeff, who told us about this project.

 

A project born out of post-lockdown reflection

It was in 2020 that the idea of creating a permaculture vegetable garden at the Jardin des Plantes first took root in Jeff’s mind. Intrigued by current events at the time, our gardener had noticed that many people were turning to permaculture as a response to political and economic challenges.

Driven by the Jardin des Plantes’ mission to raise awareness, Jeff hopes that this garden will encourage the people of Montpellier to reconnect with agriculture and take back control of their food. To that end, he is designing his project around plant varieties that are best suited for our balconies, terraces, and gardens in our region’s Mediterranean climate.

 

A permaculture garden: what’s that all about?

When we ask Jean-François to explain what a permaculture garden is, he responds on two levels:

  • The technical aspect: Permaculture stems from practices shared around the world that focus on observing soil chemistry in order to minimize human intervention in the soil and its structure. The goal is to combine specific plant varieties—primarily perennials—to create symbiotic systems, thereby avoiding the use of chemical inputs such as pesticides or fertilizers.
  • The value system: According to Jeff, permaculture is more than just a practice; it is based on a value system aimed at “protecting the earth and people, and sharing the surplus.”

 

All in all, a permaculture garden is a garden designed with sustainability in mind, based on careful observation of biological ecosystems. Cultivated with respect for nature, the seasons, and people, it allows plants to be grown without the use of chemicals.

 

The permaculture garden at the Jardin des Plantes: a place of plant diversity, open to the public

Launched in 2020, the permaculture garden can be seen in Plot No. 4 of the School of Systematics at the Jardin des Plantes. Covering an area of nearly 200 m², the garden features more than 250 species of plants, all of which are edible. Among the species grown, Jeff tries to balance so-called “classic” plants with more “unique” ones. You’ll find tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, apples, grapes, and corn, as well as Daubenton cabbage, Rocambolle garlic, stevia, peanuts, and bissap. Edible flowers are also on hand to delight the taste buds of even the most discerning gourmets.

This permaculture garden is tended by Jeff, who also works to introduce it to the people of Montpellier through guided tours between March and November. Jeff takes this opportunity to offer advice on permaculture and share the fruits of his labor by giving visitors some fruits and vegetables to taste when the season allows!

 

An original project, winner of the 2022 National Vegetable Garden Contest

All of this variety and these educational initiatives have undoubtedly helped make this project one of the winners of the national vegetable garden contest!

After submitting an entry in June in Category 4, “Educational Garden or Plot,” the teams at the Jardin des Plantes hosted the competition judges in September for a two-hour visit, during which the judges asked our gardener a variety of technical questions.

A few weeks later, Jeff was delighted to learn that his garden had been selected as one of the 60 gardens in the competition to receive the Grand Prize for the best educational vegetable garden in France! 

Jean-François and Emmanuel Spicq, head gardener at the Jardin des Plantes, received the award during a ceremony held on November 30, 2022, in Paris. A source of great pride for Jeff:

“This is a wonderful surprise. I’m very happy—this project and this competition allow us to step outside our usual scope. It gives us the opportunity to connect with other national institutions and reach out to the wider world. I look forward to exchanging ideas with the other participants and winners to take this project to new horizons!”

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SHNF Press Kit
 

 

 

More to Come on the Garden's Projects

In addition to putting our garden in the spotlight, this contest is indeed an opportunity to develop new relationships—whether for collaboration or partnership—with other gardeners, gardens, and/or institutions and organizations.

“I hope to gain new insights from these discussions that will help me apply permaculture practices to other projects. After the vegetable garden, I’d like to work with other fellow gardeners at the Jardin des Plantes to explore the possibility of creating a new permaculture plot focused on drought-tolerant plants!” Jeff tells us enthusiastically.

The plot, which has already been identified, will be located on the Dunal Dellile hill, another parcel belonging to the School of Systematics. We therefore wish our teams at the Garden the best of luck with this new project, which may provide an opportunity to enter this competition in a different category!

 

Practical Information:
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Nov–Dec 2021 | University and Faculty Elections

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The November–December 2021 period will feature three types of elections: university-wide elections to select staff and user representatives to the central councils of the University of Montpellier EPE (Experimental Public Institution); and faculty-level elections to select student representatives to the Faculty’s Management Council and Academic Council. In this article, you’ll find the schedule for these elections and the various procedures for running for office and voting.

 

Election Schedule

  • November 23–24, 2021

    Election of Staff and User Representatives to the Central Councils of the University of Montpellier (EPE)

    • Staff members (teachers and BIATS) will vote in person at the polling station on November 23, 2021
    • Users (students) will vote electronically on November 23 and 24, 2021

  • Election of Student Representatives to the UFR Council, known as the “Management Council”

    • Electronic voting on November 30 and December 1, 2021

    November 30 and December 1, 2021

  • December 1, 2021

    Election of Student Representatives to the Faculty of Medicine's Academic Council

    • In-person voting at the polls on December 1, 2021

 

Information Regarding the UM EPE Election – November 23–24, 2021

Download all documents related to this election below:

 

Information Regarding the Election for the Management Board – November 30 and December 1, 2021

Download all documents related to this election below:

 

 

Information Regarding the Election for the Pedagogical Council – December 1, 2021

Download all documents related to this election below:

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Nutrition - 5 Tips

5 Nutrition Tips During Lockdown

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During this lockdown, there’s no shortage of temptations when it comes to “snacks” and treats… Should you give in and feel guilty, or resist and feel frustrated? We spoke with Prof. Ariane Sultan, a professor at the Faculty who specializes in nutrition, and dietitian Nicolas Sahuc, a lecturer at the Faculty. Together with them, we’ve compiled five dietary and nutritional tips to follow during the lockdown… but that’s not all!

 

1 / Listen to your body and its needs!

Lockdown is turning our routines upside down: our schedules are out of sync… and so are our bodies! Sometimes, we don’t feel hungry at the traditional “breakfast, lunch, dinner” times. Don’t panic! According to Nicolas Sahuc, we need to pay close attention to our body’s rhythm, which varies from day to day and isn’t necessarily aligned with “social” schedules: “Don’t worry if you’re not hungry at ‘mealtimes’; instead, eat when you’re really hungry.” To do this, you need to listen to your body and pay attention to genuine feelings of hunger and fullness. “That doesn’t necessarily mean eating three meals a day…” emphasizes Professor Sultan.

All in all: think about your body’s natural rhythms and pay attention to your hunger cues before you even think about nutrition! 

 

2 / Don't pick or avoid any foods: think about how long they keep you full! 

“When you’re hungry, any food will satisfy your hunger. However, not all foods keep you feeling full for the same amount of time.”. The dietitian's advice is to opt for foods that will keep you full for longer: choose a banana over a cookie for a snack, or better yet, if you're really hungry, have a proper, balanced meal.

 

3 / Don't feel guilty, but think big!

That said, don’t feel guilty either if you really want that cookie for an afternoon snack. The key is to think about nutrition holistically: “Nutrition is all about overall balance. If you eat balanced meals regularly and at your own pace, there’s no reason to feel guilty.” On the other hand, balanced nutrition isn’t a “one-off”: just one balanced meal every now and then isn’t enough! Professor Sultan confirms this: “A balanced diet is determined over the course of a week rather than a single day.”

 

4 / Choose balanced meals

“A balanced meal will keep you full for about 5 hours, while an unbalanced meal or a snack will keep you full for only 2 to 2.5 hours.” It’s therefore important to plan your meals with a variety of foods that will keep you full over time. “Contrary to popular belief, a meal without bread or starchy foods won’t help you stay in shape, since you’ll be hungry again two hours later.” For a balanced and substantial meal, it’s recommended to include: bread, starchy foods, a source of protein (meat, fish, eggs, or plant-based protein), a dairy product (yogurt or cheese), fruits and vegetables for fiber, and a small amount of fat. Ariane Sultan points out that “this combination should be adjusted based on how hungry you feel”. As for meal variety, the dietitian emphasizes that “the composition of a balanced meal is always the same; you just need to vary the foods according to your tastes!” 

 

An example of a balanced meal: 

  • 1 serving of Basque-style chicken, with vegetables (fresh or frozen), rice, and salad
  • 1 slice of bread
  • 1 yogurt or 1 piece of cheese
  • A few strawberries

 

But don't forget Professor Sultan's advice, which recommends carefully assessing your hunger: “If you’re not very hungry, there’s no need for all those starchy foods—or just cut back on them!”

5 / Carbohydrate-rich snacks for periods of intense work

And because we know that exams are coming up for many of you, we asked the dietitian for his recommendations on snacks during periods of intense work. According to him, “You should opt for carbohydrate-rich foods, such as cereal bars or fruit compotes, which are nutritious and convenient. Swedish “Havreflarn”-style cookies are also a good alternative: they don’t contain too much added sugar and are easy to make at home.” However, as our dietitian points out: “Before you even think about snacks, the most important thing is learning how to manage your stress! Breathing exercises are very effective in helping you do that.” “And don’t forget physical activity!” the professor adds, “You can stay active no matter the circumstances—even during lockdown! You just have to adapt your routine and adjust to the situation!”

 

Of course, we weren't going to leave you hanging like that: we've picked out a few Swedish pancake recipes for you… : 

Recipe 1 Recipe 2 Recipe 3

…and apps to help you manage stress:

COVID-19 Support

 

We'll be back in the next few days with more on physical activity, so stay tuned! And in the meantime: get cooking 😉!

 

Healthcare Professionals:

We would like to thank them for their assistance in writing this article.

Ariane Sultan

Ariane Sultan

Professor of Nutrition

Ariane Sultan is a professor of nutrition on the nutrition and diabetes team at the Montpellier University Hospital (CHU), Lapeyronie Hospital. As chair of the CLAN (Food and Nutrition Liaison Committee) at the Montpellier University Hospital, she teaches several courses in nutrition and diabetology at the Faculty of Medicine.

Nicolas Sahuc

Nicolas Sahuc

Dietitian

Nicolas Sahuc has been a certified dietitian since 2003 and specializes in eating disorders. He regularly gives seminars to medical residents at our faculty on eating disorders and childhood obesity.

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October 1, 2, and 3: #ShareYourPower!

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On October 1, 2, and 3, #ShareYourPower by donating blood! Come see the EFS team in the UPM lobby on the ADV Campus to make your donation!

Donating blood isn't rocket science!

October is here, fall is in full swing, and with the All Saints’ Day school break, Halloween is just around the corner. To encourage as many people as possible to get involved both leading up to and during the All Saints’ Day break, the EFS teams are playing on the stereotypes associated with this holiday to show as many people as possible that donating blood isn’t rocket science.

1,000 blood donations are needed every day in Occitanie

With school break approaching, they remind us that everyone’s participation is essential throughout October to meet the need for 1,000 blood donations every day in Occitanie. Don’t let your blood run cold for nothing: the rule is clear for the month of October—one donation or one curse! Our friendly vampires are waiting to welcome your act of solidarity—with treats to boot. For those who haven’t donated yet, we invite you to take advantage of this spooky month to face your fear of needles: there’s no point in getting all worked up when you know this simple act saves lives. Don’t hesitate any longer! #ShareYourPower

Who can donate?

It is recommended that you do not come on an empty stomach and that you drink plenty of fluids before and after donating.

The main requirements for donating blood:

  • Being healthy,
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 70,
  • Weigh more than 50 kilos and have never received a blood transfusion.

In the following cases, donations must be postponed for:

  • 7 days after completing a course of antibiotics;
  • 14 days after an infectious episode;
  • 4 months after an endoscopy, a piercing, or a tattoo;
  • 4 months after traveling to a country where malaria is prevalent.

Where can I donate?

It couldn't be easier—just come to the UPM lobby on October 1, 2, or 3 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.!

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Dining Services – Summer Hours (ADV Campus)

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Just like the libraries, the dining facilities are switching to summer hours. Find all the schedule changes for the dining facilities near the Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus here.

Students and Staff

  • The CROUS cafeteria will be closed from July 1 through August 16. It will reopen on Monday, August 19.

Staff

  • The cafeteria at Lapeyronie University Hospital will be closed from July 1 to August 31, 2019, due to construction.

The CHU map shows you how to get to the Gui De Chauliac CHU cafeteria, which will remain open this summer. It is located above the Snack Area at the main entrance. The ADV Health Campus lounge remains available to administrative and teaching staff, as do the tables that have been set up outdoors on the campus.

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