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Bridging Science & Tradition: My Journey from the Jura Mountains to North Carolina

Writer's picture: Yannick FavreYannick Favre
La Comtesse Du Jura, sitting at Sunset Valley Farm in Eastern France
La Comtesse Du Jura, sitting at Sunset Valley Farm in Eastern France

Hello, I’m Yannick Favre, owner of Sunset Hill Farm NC LLC, a small-scale vegetable, fruit, and cut-flower farm (with an attached plant nursery) operating in both the Jura Mountains of France and North Carolina, USA. My story begins in 1988, when I was born in Saint-Claude, a town perched in the Jura region. Surrounded by rolling pastures and mountain peaks, I found my first love—agriculture—on my grandparents’ dairy cow operation.

Early Roots and Curiosity

Growing up in the Jura taught me respect for nature, the value of honest, hands-on work, and a deep appreciation for community. It also sparked my curiosity for biology and agronomy—fields that would shape my future. This early fascination led me to pursue formal education, starting with a Scientific High School Diploma (Baccalaureate) in Life and Earth Sciences, followed by a University Technological Diploma in Biological Engineering, Agronomy major at the Technological Institute of Claude Bernard University in Lyon. Eventually, I continued my studies in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from North Carolina State University in 2017.

A Shared Love for Science & the Land

While building my career in biotech, I met someone who would become an equally important part of my life and farm journey: my wife, Meredith, an entomologist. We crossed paths in 2013 while both working at Bayer CropScience in Research Triangle Park (RTP). Our shared fascination with the intricacies of the natural world brought us closer, and in 2016, we tied the knot. Meredith’s expertise in entomology profoundly influences how we approach integrated pest management and ecological balance at Sunset Hill Farm—her insights help ensure that both beneficial insects and crops thrive in harmony.

From Lab to Field

My passion for plants and agriculture led me to a series of roles in Research & Development spanning more than a decade, including work with:

  • Bayer CropScience France, Bayer CropScience USA and BASF

  • NC State University (Tissue Culture Specialist in the Christmas Tree Genetics Program)

  • Micropep (Greenhouse & Phenotyping Research Technician)

These positions deepened my understanding of cell biology, tissue culture, microbiology, and automation. Meanwhile, practical farming roles at Chickadee Farms in Clayton and In Good Heart Farm in Pittsboro, NC, rounded out my experience with day-to-day operations like greenhouse construction, bed preparation, and farmers’ market deliveries. Through it all, Meredith’s expertise in entomology and her support have been essential sources of guidance and inspiration.

Sunset Hill Farm NC LLC: Bringing It All Together

Everything came full circle when I decided to establish Sunset Hill Farm NC LLC, combining my childhood roots in the Jura Mountains with my professional experiences in North Carolina. Today, the farm spans two plots of land in Jura and two in North Carolina (one in Cary and another in Chapel Hill). We specialize in:

  • Vegetables that celebrate seasonal bounty

  • Fruits brimming with natural sweetness

  • Cut Flowers to add beauty and joy to everyday life

  • Nursery Plants for home gardeners and fellow farmers

We run the farm with sustainability and community at its core—principles that guide everything from our choice of seeds to our pest management strategies.

Balancing Innovation with Tradition

My grandparents’ dairy operation in Saint-Claude instilled in me that farming is more than simply growing crops—it’s a sacred partnership with the land and the people who depend on us for nourishment. Over the years, I’ve discovered that scientific innovation—from tissue culture breakthroughs to advanced phenotyping—can protect and enhance that partnership. At Sunset Hill Farm, we harness this synergy of age-old farming wisdom and modern research, striving to steward the land responsibly so it can feed and inspire future generations.

Looking Ahead

From the dairy barn in Jura to the cutting-edge research labs of North Carolina, every step of my journey has reinforced my belief in the power of community, sustainability, and scientific curiosity. Together with Meredith—whose entomological insights guide our holistic approach to pest and pollinator management—I’m excited to continue expanding Sunset Hill Farm NC LLC, sharing the fruits (and flowers!) of our labor with friends near and far.

Thank you for reading my story and for supporting small-scale, sustainable agriculture. If you’re ever in the area—whether it’s the Jura Mountains or the hills of North Carolina—I’d love to show you around and share a taste of the farm.


Bien à Vous*

𝓨𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓴



*Sincerely Yours

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1 comentário


JHONA FALCULAN
JHONA FALCULAN
28 de jan.

Very interesting and inspiring story ♥️♥️♥️

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