Our story
For nearly 80 years, Ferme Guy Rivest has been cultivating the land in Rawdon, in the Lanaudière region. What began as a small family farm has become, over generations, an agricultural and agritourism business renowned for its strawberries, processed products, and the Grand Labyrinthe de Lanaudière.
Today, the fifth generation continues the work begun by its predecessors, while the history of the four previous generations continues to be reflected in our fields, our products, and our activities. From the first strawberry harvests to the creation of the first commercially available strawberry wine in Quebec, through the development of unique products and family experiences, our goal has remained the same: to showcase our harvests while sharing our passion for agriculture with visitors.
Whether you come for pick-your-own, the Labyrinth or our local products, you are taking part in a family adventure that has been going on since 1917.
A passion passed down since 1917
Long before the acquisition of the current farm in Rawdon, strawberry cultivation was already part of our family history.
Since 1917, the passion for agriculture and strawberries has been passed down from one generation to the next.
The major stages of our evolution
La Ferme Guy Rivest, a family story! Small Quebec company intended to support the family at the base, the company has grown and took the face of the owners over the years. Since December 2007, is the fourth generation joined the company!
Here are some milestones:
1946: Jean-Paul Rivest and Yvonne Chevrette are acquiring the farm. At the time, they had 5 cows.
1947: First strawberry harvest of Mr. and Mrs. Rivest.
1971: Sale of the herd (60 heads) to keep only the production of strawberries.
1982: Purchase of the farm by Guy Rivest and Louise Rondeau. They produce strawberries, of course, but also tomatoes and cucumbers in hydroponic greenhouses.
1987: Stop the production of tomato and cucumber.
1995: Incorporation of the family business, with the owners Guy Rivest and Louise Rondeau. Start of production of strawberry wine Libertine.
2004: Construction of a shop open year round and a processing plant for the new product line "Fantaisies Champêtre de Lanaudière" (jams, syrups, marinades and jellys).
2008: Purchase of land for St-Ambroise de Kildare.
2010: 300 Plantation haskap plants.
2011: Development and marketing of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry pearls (molecular cuisine).
2013: Start of production of sweet corn.
2014: Plantation of an orchard forest gardens in St-Ambroise de Kildare and an educational garden in Rawdon (over 450 plants of 25 different species).
2017 : Now a groundcherry producer.
2018 : New activity : Big corn maze !
Yvonne Chevrette and Jean-Paul Rivest in 1944.
The farm, early 1980s.