Joëlle Ouellet‑Cimon has assumed leadership of the Serres du Mont greenhouse business in Saint‑Éloi, Québec [1].

This transition represents a successful generational shift in agricultural ownership, ensuring that the greenhouse operation remains viable and active within the local community. Such transfers are critical for maintaining food production infrastructure in rural regions where aging ownership often threatens business continuity.

Ouellet‑Cimon began her first full year as the head of the company in 2025 [2]. The transition of ownership was not a standard inheritance—a process often referred to as a non-apparent transfer. This method allows for the movement of business assets to a new leader who may not be a direct heir, provided the transition is structured to maintain the business's operational health.

The process was facilitated with support from the ARTERRE organization [1]. ARTERRE specializes in assisting the transfer of agricultural businesses, providing the necessary framework to move ownership while preserving the integrity of the farm, or greenhouse. By utilizing this organizational support, the transfer at Serres du Mont avoided the pitfalls that often lead to the closure of family-run agricultural enterprises during leadership changes.

Located in Saint‑Éloi, the greenhouse continues its operations under the new leadership [1]. The transition ensures that the facility can continue to serve its market without a gap in management or production. The stability provided by the ARTERRE-supported transition allows Ouellet‑Cimon to focus on the growth and sustainability of the business as she enters her tenure.

“Joëlle Ouellet‑Cimon has assumed leadership of the Serres du Mont greenhouse”

The transfer of Serres du Mont highlights a growing trend in Canadian agriculture where non-inheritance transitions are used to prevent the loss of productive farmland. By leveraging organizations like ARTERRE, the industry can decouple business continuity from familial lineage, allowing skilled operators to take over essential food production sites that might otherwise be sold for development or left vacant.