Ray VanMarrewyk: Capturing the opportunity; the next generation returns to family farming

Ray VanMarrewyk has begun to see that being a fourth-generation greenhouse farmer is a challenge in today’s competitive market and there is absolutely no room for errors.

Although he grew up working on the family farm, Ray did not plan for a career in horticulture. After graduating from high school, Ray pursued his studies in business. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in accounting and finance, and became a Chartered Accountant. After working for a large accounting firm for ten years, Ray looked at the potential of B.C.’s greenhouse vegetable sector and saw an opportunity for growth. In 2006, Ray returned to the family business, where he partnered with his brother, Ron, to manage Westcoast Vegetables, an 18-acre cucumber greenhouse in Ladner.

"Everyone in the family plays a role on the farm," Ray explains. "While Ron and I along with our long time general manager take care of the day-to-day farm operations in Delta, my wife Sharon and Ron's wife, Stephanie, help us with the bookkeeping activities – just like my mom helps my dad at their farm in Pitt Meadows." Ray's parents, Albert and Jane, have operated greenhouses in Pitt Meadows for 36 years.

At the farm, Ray puts his studies to work. His experience in business allows him to make critical decisions, such as an expansion of the farm. Recently, the farm has begun the construction work for a new 17-acre pepper greenhouse next to their existing cucumber greenhouse.

“We know there is a demand for more greenhouse peppers and we want to pursue it. We have the experience of growing peppers at my parents’ farm. And Delta is a perfect location for pepper production.”

The higher levels of sunlight and the cooling breeze from the ocean make Delta an ideal location for greenhouse pepper production. Twenty per cent of B.C. greenhouse peppers are currently grown in Delta.

“The expansion wasn’t an easy decision for us. We recognize there are significant risks that we need to bear,” Ray adds. Labour shortages, appreciation of the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar, high energy costs and global competition are a few of the challenges they have to work hard to overcome.

Since the expansion project began, the U.S. sales revenue has decreased by 12 per cent due to the rise in the Canadian Dollar. This is having a significant impact on the greenhouse vegetable sector as 60 per cent of the product is exported to the United States.

“We have to increase efficiencies and reduce costs at our greenhouses to be successful.”

As fourth generation farmers, the family understands the need to be environmentally responsible. The family uses farming practices respectful of the environment. Energy and water conservation are key to protecting the environment. Large heat storage tanks are used to store heat produced during the day (off peak for natural gas consumption) to provide heat for the greenhouse at night. The greenhouses use movable energy curtains to insulate the glass from the cold and conserve energy by up to thirty per cent. The VanMarrewyks have recently added a biomass (wood pellets) boiler to supplement their natural gas boiler and use the latest clean-burning and filter technology to keep particulate matter to a minimum. They collect rain water to irrigate the plants and recycle the nutrient rich water that drains from the irrigation system. Finally, the growing cycle is adjusted to minimize energy consumption and maximize production.

With the two greenhouses on the same site, the VanMarrewyks and their growers can utilize synergies to minimize costs and increase efficiencies.

“This sector is going through its toughest times in history and keeping up our tradition of innovation is critical.” said Ray. “In order to survive, B.C. growers need to work together and need the support of local retailers, consumers and government. In return, greenhouse farming will continue to provide safe and high quality produce for B.C. markets.”

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