WILLIAM CHEUK: Under the glass shows his passion for greenhouse growing

At South Alder Greenhouses in Delta, the glass structure is the perfect science world for William Cheuk.

Inside the bell pepper greenhouse in Delta, the 33-year-old greenhouse grower sees how a passion for science, engineering and technology combine to make one fascinating place.

South Alder has grown rapidly in six years, starting from just 10 acres, which has grown to 33 acres of bell peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes in Delta, Surrey and Langley.

Cheuk, who founded the company and serves as president, sees capitalizing on growers’ commitment to sustainability and innovation as the key to success.

“Our growers, and many others in the industry, believe in promoting health and sustainability,” he said. “Our company's organics is one way to do it.”

South Alder is one of the first members of the BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association to grow USDA certified organic vegetables using greenhouse technology. Growers at South Alder began producing under the organic label in 2004, and the next year, the greenhouse began distributing its vegetables through the Oppenheimer Group.

At the 13-acre hydroponic greenhouse operation in Delta, the staff has a strong background in science. Cheuk graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in bio-resource engineering. He earned a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering and did his doctoral thesis on sustainable agriculture.

Cheuk has also implemented his university research on the farm by composting all plant waste on-site.

Like other greenhouse farms, South Alder uses little to no chemical pesticides. Instead growers opt for biological controls like using good bugs to kill bad bags. At its organic greenhouse in Langley, growers must ensure they don’t use any synthetic pesticides to keep their USDA organic label.

South Alder employs about 150 people at its three locations and produces more than 10 million pounds of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. The vegetables are sold in the United States and locally at large grocery chains like Safeway, Save-on Foods and Whole Foods Market.

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