The Grange 21 project: A sustainable and ecological venture kickstarted by French nuns

With the 'Grange 21' project, the nuns of Boulaur Abbey hope to create a diversified small-scale farm to boost their agricultural output. Photo: AFP

"A 12th century start-up in 21st century style."

That's how the nuns of Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Boulaur, in southwestern France, describe their "Grange 21" project. Around 30 nuns are currently working on building this sustainable and ecological microfarm around the abbey, located west of Toulouse. Their initiative is proving a hit on social media, as is their online fundraising, which launched last January.