A visit organized in May 2023 as part of the first presentation of Fierté Charlevoix, in collaboration with the organization Fierté agricole de la région, allowed about thirty people to discover the result of a dream shared by two enthusiasts: Muscovy duck farming combined with a country guesthouse in an exceptional setting in Saint-Hilarion.
Alexis Tanguay and Aleck Vitam, friends and partners in life for almost 10 years, embarked on this agricultural entrepreneurship project in 2021. “The creation of an agricultural business quickly became a life project allowing us to reconcile our ambitions and our personal values,” explains Aleck.
The two partners share much more than the tasks involved in livestock farming, food production, and running their tourist guesthouse. They are both driven by a deep conviction of the importance of challenging the status quo and constantly seeking innovation and elevation in flavours, service, business practices, and human relationships.
“For us, it is imperative to place people at the centre of all decisions and to promote respect, inclusion and personal development, both for our partners and for members of our community,” explains Alexis.
Their impact on the environment is also central to their concerns. Both strive to remain aware of excesses in order to avoid them, and always seek to acknowledge and correct their mistakes in a world bigger than ourselves.
“We must always question the ecological and social footprint of our practices and decisions, with a vision focused on a clean, equitable and profitable future,” adds Aleck, who has a pronounced environmentalist streak, with a touch of the philosopher. “For me, philosophy is the foundation of all science,” he says.
To that end, he notes that their duck is free-range and pasture-fed, for a flavour truly rooted in the culinary terroir of Québec and Charlevoix. The birds are not force-fed and are treated well. For Alexis, “guaranteeing the quality of all our products by adhering to the highest standards and using fresh, locally sourced ingredients is what constantly drives us.” While duck may be unfamiliar to some, tastings help people appreciate it.
Because, beyond producing these ducks (which arrive as freshly hatched ducklings and are raised through to slaughter for consumption), the marketing of the shop and its fine duck products, lovingly prepared on site, takes up much of their time and energy.
Every weekend for almost three seasons, they set up stalls at public markets in Québec, Saint-Irénée, La Malbaie, and Baie Saint-Paul, rotating between them depending on the events. Their products are also distributed to a few retail outlets and shops in Charlevoix, and appear on the menus of some good restaurants in the region. The ducks and their products are also sold directly at the farm.
Ambrosia Farm therefore has a dual mission: to welcome people for a unique agritourism stay at its guesthouse and to produce flavourful and inspiring food, with respect for the environment and animal welfare.
To this end, seeking to become an agritourism destination in the region, the farm has secured financial assistance of $14,000 from the MRC Charlevoix, as part of a $55,823 farm financing project, to obtain new equipment, reduce dependence on subcontractors and facilitate the development of new products.
The company also plans to set up a shop at the farm, a picnic area, structures for observing the ducks, and interpretive signs to enhance self-guided visits.
As for the guesthouse, it already offers three carefully furnished bedrooms, each with access to a beautiful bathroom. Breakfast is served every morning. Guests also have access to the common areas of the house during their stay. Several outdoor activities are available on-site and in the area around Saint-Hilarion.
Ferme Ambrosia
fermeambrosia.com
335 Rang 1
Saint-Hilarion (QC) G0A 3V0
(418) 400-8283