No need to break-up the sugar bush!

For Jean-Yves Richard, owner of Ferme Riquart Inc. in Saint-Cyprien de Rivière-du-Loup, the break-up of his certified organic sugar bush with 24,000 taps was not the solution. A nephew of his has shown interest in taking over the operation and his integration as a 50% shareholder will be completed in 2015. ​

In the 2000s, without any family interested in the farm, Jean-Yves sent an announcement out in a farm newspaper in search of someone to take over his organically-certified dairy farm. He received 34 replies. Unfortunately, although he came close to finding a successor, he finally decided with regret to liquidate his assets – three neighbours each bought one of his lots. “This wasn’t the succession that I initially wanted, but the land continues to be cultivated,” he said. In selling the dairy farm, Jean-Yves expanded and modernized his sugar bush. He kept in mind that “you operate an enterprise for a certain length of time and, afterwards, you pass it on to the next generation.”

The idea of rejuvenating the sugar bush originated with his nephew, Ghislain Dion, when he was giving Jean-Yves a hand during sugaring season. “To see how my uncle works, how the operation is managed, is important,” Dion said. At the same time, he also kept his job at a veterinarian clinic.

For his part, Jean-Yves sees a competent successor in Ghislain who has a CEGEP diploma in animal health and is full of experience with the public and staff management. “Since I now know Ghislain will be taking over, we talk more about projects and hiring employees. It’s fun.”

“Following the diagnostic of the enterprise and the assessment of the assets by Jean-Luc Masson, an agronomist specializing in farm management, we did a financial analysis and evaluation of my retirement needs with Desjardins,” Jean-Yves points out. They understand that the tax aspect is important yet can be taken care of easily. Communication is even more important: “My approach with the CRÉA allowed me to clearly explain my points. I have tools that are useful to me, even with employees.”

“I am not quitting my job, I’m taking over the sugar bus'', adds Ghislain, meaning that he likes his job, but the sugar bush is a lifestyle choice. In 2015, the young man is being integrated into the entreprise full time. A co-management period for between fine and ten years is planned, which gives the time for one to take on responsibilities and for the other to start to enjoy a little freedom! It’s a change for Ghislain, his partner and two children: moving house, another school, a new daycare. Although it’s been a bit stressful, the welcome has been very positive.

Jean-Yves is proud to have successfully built an efficient enterprise (4 lbs of syrup per tap), with little debt and diversified. “It’s important that the transfer works financially,” he said. His products are exported to Japan and Europe. Jean-Yves concludes by saying, “Preparing my retirement is me gradually preparing for a different life. It’ll be 40 years next year since I took over the farm. That’s a lifetime!”

¹ ATMAN is a personality test. It lets you get to know yourself better, know your associates better or discover your natural talents. This test gives you solutions to improve your relationships with others.