Science meets Nature Under Glass

In the mid-1990s, William Cheuk worked as a researcher at the University of British Columbia. With a doctorate in chemical and biological engineering, and considerable background in greenhouse-related research, William was intrigued by the potential of products grown under glass. And he was on to something good.

While negligible amounts of greenhouse tomatoes were in the market a decade ago, they now account for around 37 percent of all fresh tomatoes sold in U.S. stores. The proportion in Canada could be even higher.

William helped establish South Alder Greenhouses Ltd. in 1997, and now the company thrives in Delta, Surrey and Langley, producing beefsteak tomatoes and bell peppers under 33 acres of glass. Situated only a half-hour's drive apart, each facility has its own unique microclimate and is overseen by a grower-manager who understands its specific conditions.

In addition to hydroponic produce, South Alder recently planted an acre of organic greenhouse beefsteak tomatoes in its Langley location.

"Growing organic tomatoes has been challenging," said William, president of the company and one of three scientists working at South Alder. "There are many differences between growing hydroponically and producing tomatoes organically in soil."

William said one interesting dilemma was finding the right "recipe" of natural fertilizers to apply to organic tomatoes, assuring that the plants absorbed the fertilizers efficiently.

"We now understand the best environment for growing organic tomatoes, and hope to plant more soon," he said. Oppenheimer began marketing South Alder's organic tomatoes in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest in May.

"Beefsteak tomato plants grow fast, so it made sense to use them in the organic trial," William continued. "We're looking ahead to producing other tomato varieties organically too."

William is involved in all aspects of the business, from crop and variety planning, to budgeting, to daily decision-making.

"The last five years have been challenging for our industry," William commented. "We encountered numerous issues, like the energy crisis, recent anti-dumping litigation, and the ongoing currency fluctuation. Something interesting is always happening."

William's passion for B.C.'s agriculture community extends beyond his own company. He is the vice chairman of the B.C. Greenhouse Growers Association, and is the executive director of the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C., a non-profit organization that invests in helping the agri-food industry adapt to change. William also serves as a board member on the B.C. Vegetable Marketing Commission.

While William joked that he sometimes envies associates who grow seasonal commodities - because their work is periodically less intense - he does find time for an occasional golf or soccer game. William and his wife Amy recently welcomed their first child, a daughter named Iris.