Grow Like a Rock Star: Josée St-Pierre, Plant Select

In Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford, Quebec, Plant Select has built a strong reputation over the years. Specializing in perennial production, the company has grown by focusing on quality, consistency, and a constant drive to push its own standards further.

Today, a new chapter is beginning. With a new generation of owners stepping in, the company is entering a transition phase. At the heart of this handover, one key figure ensures continuity in the rhythm: Josée St-Pierre, Production Manager.

A rhythm built over the seasons

At Plant Select, expertise has developed gradually, shaped by years of production experience. Season after season, the team has refined its methods, adjusted its practices, and built an approach grounded in both discipline and adaptability.

Over time, this progression has made it possible to establish a well-controlled production system capable of handling high volumes while maintaining consistent quality. Nothing happened overnight. Every step, every trial, every adjustment has contributed to building the rhythm that defines the company today.

This steady work also makes it possible to absorb the unexpected. Variable conditions, differences between varieties, field realities—everything is part of the equation. And it is this ability to adapt that allows the team to stay on track, even when the pace picks up.

Passing the torch without breaking the rhythm

With the recent acquisition of the company by Jade Lemaire and Martin Tremblay, Plant Select is entering a new chapter. Coming from different backgrounds, they bring a fresh perspective and a new way of approaching the company’s development.

For Josée, this transition to a new generation does not disrupt what is already in place. Instead, it fits into a natural continuity. “I see it as a positive thing. I know I have people who will continue to push Plant Select even further,” she explains.

Her role in this context is clear: to bridge what has been built with what lies ahead. “My role is to carry the torch and show them what Plant Select is, what horticulture is, what production is.”

On a daily basis, this transition is lived through exchange. Observing, explaining, passing on knowledge, but also listening and integrating new ideas. “We make a great team… it can only go further,” she adds. A dynamic where each person brings their own perspective without disrupting the balance.

A production orchestrated down to the smallest detail

With more than 1,500 varieties in production, maintaining consistent quality requires rigorous organization and strong adaptability. Each crop has its own characteristics, its own requirements, and its own rhythm.

“Each variety has a different recipe,” Josée explains.

This means structuring production to group plants according to their needs, adjusting conditions, and creating tailored environments. Temperature, irrigation, fertilization—everything is calibrated based on the crops and their stage of development.

But beyond the facilities, experience makes the difference. “Sometimes we made mistakes, but we learn every year, every day,” she says.

This continuous learning process helps refine practices and improve overall performance. Often, it is small adjustments that, combined, make it possible to maintain a high level of quality at scale.

Ensuring performance with the right tools

In such a precise context, the choice of growing media plays a key role. At Plant Select, it is directly part of a continuous improvement approach.

“We’re always trying to match our challenges with the growing mix and see how far it can take us,” Josée explains.

It is within this mindset that the team works with PRO-MIX® growing media, testing them across different crops and production realities. The goal is to adapt the product to specific needs rather than searching for a one-size-fits-all solution.

The physical characteristics of the substrate are critical. “Water retention, aeration, particle size… it really makes a difference,” she notes.

The results are tangible. On some crops, trials have helped save time. “I may have gained a week… that’s a lot,” Josée points out.

In a production environment where every day counts, this type of adjustment has a direct impact on overall performance. Better water management, optimized aeration, and more stable growing conditions allow for greater precision and consistency.

The human factor behind every performance

At Plant Select, production relies on close collaboration between teams. Each department is interconnected, and communication is essential to maintain the right pace. “We don’t work in separately. We understand each other’s challenges,” Josée explains.

This overall understanding helps anticipate challenges rather than react to them. The goal is to stay in control, even during more intense periods, when every decision can influence what comes next in production.

In the spring, more than 60 employees contribute to production, making coordination even more critical. For Josée, it all comes down to collective commitment. “We’re all on this train that takes off in February,” she says.

Creating this dynamic requires a strong presence on the ground, clear communication, and the ability to mobilize teams regardless of the intensity of the moment. Everyone must understand their role, but also the impact of their work overall.

When everyone moves in the same direction, production follows the rhythm. And it is this synchronization that makes it possible to deliver a consistent product, week after week.

A signature that stands out

Beyond volume and diversity, what sets Plant Select apart is the consistency of its quality.

That trust is built on attention to every step of the process. Nothing is left to chance, and every detail contributes to the final result.

Over time, this discipline becomes a signature. A recognition that goes beyond the product itself and is rooted in the company’s reliability.

Keeping the show going

In a context of transition, the challenge is to evolve without losing identity. At Plant Select, this balance is built day by day, between experience and new ideas. “The key is to listen to everyone. Every experience can only help,” Josée says.

In the end, what stands out is a company in motion, driven by a committed team and a well-controlled production system. Because beyond systems and decisions, it is people who make the difference. And in an environment where everything moves quickly, the ability to work together, adjust, and stay on course becomes essential.

At Plant Select, the show goes on with a new generation behind the scenes and a Production Manager keeping the rhythm steady.

To learn more about Plant Select, visit their website and follow them on Facebook.

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