It is a story of perseverance and solidarity. A blind couple's farming dream will continue thanks to generosity from donors and the support of a businessman who “improved himself as a dragon” by investing in their business.
Daniel Bonin and Maries Sauv are a couple in life and business. In 2018, they opened the À la Cane Blanch breeding farm, a play on words that refers to the fact that they are both blind and duck breeders.
“With the white stick, we decided to volunteer: we are two blind people who achieve success,” said Daniel Bonin, who underwent 29 eye operations between the ages of 2 and 5 and suddenly became blind. -Sighted at 20 years of age. “When you became blind, in my case, I was ashamed, I was ashamed, I thought my life was over. »
Photo by Martin Tremblay, The Press
Danielle Bonin and Maries Sav's ducks
“We all think so,” says Maries Sauv, who suffers from a rare genetic disease, rod and cone dystrophy. “I'm in the process of losing my focus and there are days when I say it's not easy, but it gives us a reason to live. We've made it! »
We have the other end alive. Ducks are there to remind us: “Hey, we're here, everyone else, even at Christmas time! Go!”
Maryse Sauvé, from À la Cane Blanche breeding farm
About 600 birds are raised on their land in Stukeley-Sud in Estrie. The duo sells about 250,000 eggs each year – about 100,000 produced in-house and the rest bought from another farm.
Last April, their partner announced plans to halt egg production due to the challenges faced by the avian flu pandemic.
To continue supplying all their customers, they decided to build a second breeding building, estimated to cost around $200,000. However, they are having trouble getting support from the Financière agricole du Québec.
Photo by Martin Tremblay, The Press
Duck eggs are sold to major restaurants in Quebec. They are also sold in some grocery stores and Luffa Farms baskets.
Farmers believe that because of the special situation of the blind, donors are hesitant to invest heavily in their project.
“Because of our disability, they have to be careful about what they say, so it's always: 'We don't say yes, we don't say no, but we haven't had any response yet,'” said Mr. Bonin.
Crowdfunding campaign
Instead of giving up, in May 2023, they decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign on the GoFundMe platform.
“The day we waited to enter for GoFundMe, we were desperate,” Mr. Bonin asserted. “We did it with our heads down because we had no choice anymore. We kept our heads down and saw the donations come in every day, I can tell you our heads are up. It's not just the donations, it's the comments!”
The result: Thanks to the help of 402 generous donors, they have raised $27,726 so far. “We are so moved, what is a strong enough word to say thank you? “, said Mme is safe.
Photo by Martin Tremblay, The Press
Every year, around 100,000 duck eggs are produced at the À la Cane Blanch breeding farm.
“Beauty is people who believe in us more than we can believe in ourselves,” adds her husband. “For all these people, we will never give up. »
Pot was used to organize excavation and surveying work and to employ an architect and an agricultural economist.
A new partner
Media coverage of the affair allowed Daniel Bonin and Maries Sauve to meet businessman and investor Sébastien Grégoire, whom they affectionately referred to as “Dragon” in connection with the TV show.
Photo by Martin Tremblay, The Press
Maryse Sav and Daniel Bonin
After listening to the interview with the farmers on the radio, he spontaneously picked up the phone. That afternoon the couple invited him to the farm.
“Meeting them was love at first sight and it was a pleasure to choose people instead of a project,” explains the man, who was touched by their resilience. He jumped into this adventure by becoming a shareholder in the company.
“We didn't have the funds for the new building yet, so I personally injected it,” he explained.
For now, at least, we don't have to worry about money to keep the project going.
Sebastien Grégoire, businessman and investor
An actuary by training, he admits to having difficulty understanding the pitfalls they faced in their quest for financing.
“It's scary that these are two visually impaired people. For me, it's the opposite, it motivates me. I was like, “If that doesn't stop them and they're that motivated, then my God, that's right the team.” »
New building construction works are going on at a fast pace. If all goes well, they could welcome their first ducklings in February.
“The building we're building allows us to keep this little nugget we have and keep our joy and our passion for living,” rejoices Maries Sauv.
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