Sustainable Solutions: Biocontrols and Clean Energy for the Future of Canadian Food Systems

Dr. Deborah Henderson, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and BC Regional Innovation Chair, shares her journey from young environmentalist-turned-entrepreneur to innovative Canadian agri-food leader and discusses pest biocontrols, clean energy, greenhouse tech, and new sustainable agri-food growing systems

By Tabitha Caswell for Bioenterprise

As we explore the life and work of Dr. Deborah Henderson, we uncover a path shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a profound commitment to the environment. Marked by pivotal moments and driven by an innate respect for nature, her story connects passionate conviction with practical innovation. Each step reflects her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to advancing sustainable agri-food systems for impactful change.

A trusted member of the Science and Innovation Advisory Committee (SIAC) at Bioenterprise Canada, Dr. Henderson shares her story and her point of view on both the current challenges and future opportunities found within Canadian food and agriculture.

Early Inspirations

Dr. Deborah Henderson’s journey into agriculture and horticulture began in her rural Canadian childhood home, surrounded by farms. As her family grew their own food, they chose to avoid pesticides, opting for sustainable practices, which instilled in Deborah a deep respect for nature. Discovering Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring further inspired a dedication to environmental advocacy that would later guide her life’s work.

Her academic path reflects a commitment to research and natural sciences. Attending the picturesque Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, her initial interest in animal biology was destined to take a pivotal turn toward a broader focus on environmental sciences.

Curiosity to Entrepreneurship

Driven by both curiosity and instinct, Dr. Henderson has always embraced opportunities as they arose. After a year abroad, she returned to Canada to complete her master’s at the University of Manitoba (UM). While studying parasitology at UM, she discovered an unexplored universe in the nests of red-winged blackbirds. This profound discovery ignited her passion for entomology, steering her toward a PhD in biocontrol at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and eventually a postdoc in medical entomology at the University of Toronto.

“My postdoc brought my experiences in parasitology and entomology together. It all aligned perfectly,” Dr. Henderson says, adding, “It was also the source of many jokes. I studied the brain and behaviour of larval mosquitoes.” If you’re wondering if larval mosquitoes have brains, the answer is yes, they do.

Dr. Henderson met her husband, Michael, at UM. “I like to tell people that my first love was parasitology, and my second love was Michael” she muses. Both were young researchers and determined to design their lives together, but the couple faced the challenge of finding academic positions, both in the same location. Soon, Michael was offered a job that led them to Vancouver, British Columbia (BC).

There, Dr. Henderson’s adaptability and creativity truly emerged. Faced with a lack of traditional jobs available in her field, she ventured into entrepreneurship. “There are two reasons to start a business,” she explains. “You either have a role model to emulate, or you’re so determined to do what you love, you just jump in. And that’s what I did. I jumped in,” she says.

Inspired by a friend’s work with growers in the Okanagan Valley, Dr. Henderson founded E.S. Cropconsult Ltd., focusing on integrated pest management (IPM) in the Fraser Valley. Her hands-on approach involved fieldwork to identify pests and advising farmers on reducing their pesticide use.

The early years of building her business were filled with hurdles. As a young woman, she faced skepticism from experienced farmers. “The credibility gap was rather obvious. If looks could kill, I would have been dead many times over, but I worked hard, did my homework, and kept knocking on doors,” she recalls. Soon landing three solid customers, her perseverance paid off.

With those first clients, Dr. Henderson dramatically reduced pesticide use in their potato crops, earning their trust and respect. Her approach to sustainable agriculture gained traction and she scaled her business, integrating a research aspect into the plan.

“Yes, I was interested in research, and I was curious to learn new ways to address growing challenges through methods of biocontrol, but there were other motivations for incorporating this into my business model,” she explains. “The work was seasonal, and the research allowed me to keep my staff over the winter, which was very important to me. I was motivated to find a formula that worked. Scaling to meet this need just made good business sense.”

Dr. Henderson’s IPM business quickly gained a stellar reputation, becoming a sought-after service throughout the region. Her success was rooted in her academic rigor, practical problem-solving skills, and unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. This strong foundation laid the groundwork for her future impactful work at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Kwantlen) and beyond.


Transition to the Public Sector

Dr. Henderson’s move to Kwantlen marked a significant transition from her successful entrepreneurial career. The opportunity arose unexpectedly when she received a call from the university’s Office of Research inviting her to be on a shortlist of candidates for the Director of the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH; the Institute). Initially, she was hesitant.

“I had built a thriving business and felt secure in that. And the thought of shifting to a public sector position, with all its uncertainties, was daunting,” she recalls. However, the opportunity was intriguing. “After thinking it through, I saw the potential to expand on what I’d already built.”

The position included the prestigious BC Regional Innovation Chair, formerly called the Leading Edge Endowment Fund (LEEF), which promised a stable endowment and the chance to scale her research significantly. The idea of integrating research into Kwantlen, a teaching-focused institution, and building an institute from the ground up was appealing. After careful consideration and discussions with the university, Dr. Henderson accepted the role.

Transitioning to Kwantlen allowed Dr. Henderson to expand her impact, leveraging her entrepreneurial experience and scientific expertise to drive forward-thinking solutions in agriculture and horticulture.

A Hub for Sustainable Innovation
One of Dr. Henderson’s first major initiatives at Kwantlen was securing a multi-million-dollar grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to build a state-of-the-art lab and greenhouse. This achievement highlighted her ability to attract substantial research funding and laid the foundation for future exciting projects.

Today, the ISH facility supports three core research areas: microbial biocontrol products, clean energy for greenhouses, and new sustainable agri-food growing systems. One of the team’s core programs is to develop biological alternatives to chemical pesticides, demonstrating that research can produce competitive and sustainable solutions.

The greenhouse utilizes clean energy, integrating geothermal and solar capacities to model sustainable greenhouse practices. Despite initial skepticism about geothermal energy’s cost-effectiveness, Dr. Henderson insisted on its inclusion, advocating for its long-term benefits. Partnerships with UBC and Simon Fraser University (SFU) engineers have enabled cutting-edge research into greenhouse insulation, waste energy recovery and seasonal energy storage.

The greenhouse now serves as a vital demonstration site, showcasing what’s possible for sustainable greenhouse energy systems. Recently, ISH hosted the BC greenhouse growers, highlighting practical applications of geothermal and solar technologies. The facility exemplifies Dr. Henderson’s commitment to merging scientific research with practical, sustainable solutions, driving the future of agri-food forward.


A Hub for Collaboration
Dr. Henderson’s leadership at Kwantlen has transformed the ISH into a hub for innovation and collaboration. The institute has secured impactful research funding, including significant dollars from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Employing up to 20 staff, the ISH has worked with around 150 industry partners, focusing on startups. Inspired by their enthusiasm, Dr. Henderson says, “Most entrepreneurs have a social conscience, aiming to be economically, environmentally, and socially responsible. They’re grateful for the assistance we can provide, and they want to give back.”

A unique aspect of the Institute and KPU is their approach to intellectual property (IP). Startups retain their IP while receiving support to improve and develop their innovations without sharing ownership. This fosters a strong sense of trust and collaboration.

The Institute’s diverse staff, including students and new graduates from around the world, contribute to its vibrant environment. International graduate students from countries like France and Brazil bring fresh perspectives and add value to ongoing research projects.

Dr. Henderson’s ability to bridge the gap between academia and entrepreneurship is key. Her background as an entrepreneur provides unique insights and credibility when mentoring new business owners. This unique combination of practical and academic knowledge enables her to offer invaluable advice and guidance, fostering the next generation of sustainable horticulture innovators. The ISH at Kwantlen stands as a testament to her vision and dedication, driving forward-thinking solutions in horticulture and sustainability.

A Vision for the Future of Agri-Food
Dr. Henderson’s commitment to sustainability is driven by a deep concern for the future of our planet. Reflecting on the rapid pace of climate change and overpopulation, she emphasizes integrating clean energy and chemical-free controls in agriculture. “Everything we do has an impact,” she notes, expressing worry for the next generation. Her work in Cuba, where she takes students for internships in sustainable agriculture, underscores her belief in resource conservation and equitable distribution.

Drawing lessons from her Cuban partners, she recalls a conversation about the distribution of wealth and resource efficiency. “In Cuba, things are different. They waste nothing. Yes, there is a difference between rich and poor, but it is much less extreme than here. Despite their economic challenges, all Cubans have access to food, housing, healthcare, and education,” she says. This perspective fuels her advocacy for sustainable practices that could ensure long-term environmental health and social equity for Canadians.

By examining how different systems manage resources and prioritize well-being, Dr. Henderson advocates for a holistic approach to sustainability. Her vision extends beyond technological innovations to encompass social responsibility, urging us to rethink our interactions with the environment and each other to create a more sustainable and equitable world.

Integrating AI and Robotics in Agriculture
When discussing the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in addressing Canada’s food security challenges, Dr. Henderson says, “The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the fragility of global supply chains, making it clear that relying on food imports is a risky strategy. As a northern country with harsh winters, Canada imports a significant portion of its food. We must address this to relieve pressure on our food system.”

One way she and her team at ISH at Kwantlen are working to solve this problem is through the Weston Family Foundation Homegrown Innovation Challenge.

The Homegrown Innovation Challenge encourages Canadian research and development teams to find new, sustainable ways to grow berries year-round in Canada. Dr. Henderson’s team has successfully managed to grow greenhouse berries without chemical pesticides by using biological controls and other strategies. Along the way, they’ve uncovered important knowledge gaps that are critical for success.

The team at ISH employs advanced technologies like cameras and sensors to monitor crops. These tools can detect pest and disease presence, monitor plant health, and adjust environmental conditions to optimize growth. Dr. Henderson says, “The goal is to ensure plants are healthy and stress-free, and although these technologies are not yet cost-effective, they represent the future of agriculture.”

Another significant challenge in Canadian agriculture is labour. Many Canadians are unwilling to take on these demanding jobs, and the pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities of relying on foreign labour. Dr. Henderson also notes, “If countries like Mexico and Jamaica improve their economies, they might stop sending labourers to Canada. We need to be prepared for this, and robotics can fill this gap by automating labour-intensive tasks and ensuring food production continues smoothly.” She adds, “At the same time, we need to remember that by reducing the need for manual labour, these innovations will create high-tech jobs, attracting a new generation of workers who will need training in AI and robotics.”

Dr. Henderson is continually seeking innovative solutions to enhance sustainability in agriculture, and much of her work is carried out through collaborative partnerships.


Collaborative Growth and Global Outreach
Collaboration is central to Dr. Henderson’s work at the ISH. Her team partners with other berry researchers and industry leaders like Star Produce to scale innovative solutions. Star Produce provides weekly insights that help scale technologies to commercial sizes.

Dr. Henderson’s extensive industry network supports these partnerships, fostering an ecosystem of academia, entrepreneurs, and industry partners. This collective effort ensures the effective development and adoption of future sustainable agriculture practices.

Dr. Henderson’s commitment to sustainability extends globally, contributing to initiatives like Trees for Life and a kindergarten program in Ethiopia.

Supported by the ISH at Kwantlen, the Trees for Life project in the highlands of Oromia, Ethiopia, combats climate change impacts like flooding and drought. Led by the Dundee City Council of Scotland, two digital artists, and funded by the British Council Creative Commission for Climate Action, the 2021 project planted 10,000 tree saplings while creating earth art visible from space satellites. Through digital storytelling, this project brings awareness to the importance of local ecosystems and food security.

In 2023, Dr. Henderson and the ISH at Kwantlen partnered with an Ethiopian NGO (non-governmental organization), and the Ethiopian diaspora to match funding by the Sfaira Foundation to launch a community-supported kindergarten in Ethiopia’s rural highlands. This initiative is enhancing the Oromo Gada system, a UNESCO heritage culture, and improving literacy for rural children. “The whole community is happy. The children, the elders; and trees are very important in the Gada (or Gadaa) culture, so it is a wonderful feeling to know we’ve helped to preserve it,” she says.

These projects emphasize the importance of community-driven solutions. They address environmental concerns and celebrate cultural heritage, demonstrating Dr. Henderson’s commitment to integrating sustainability with community and cultural preservation.

Shaping the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. Henderson envisions a future where sustainable agriculture is at the forefront of tackling climate change and food insecurity. By integrating advanced technologies like AI and robotics with traditional agricultural practices, she aims to help create resilient and efficient food systems. She believes in the importance of continuous innovation and collaboration among academia, entrepreneurs, and industry partners to achieve this vision.

From young environmentalist and early entrepreneurial ventures to her leadership at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Dr. Deborah Henderson’s work has come full circle. She has consistently championed innovative solutions for a sustainable future, demonstrating her dedication to environmental stewardship through integrating clean energy and biological controls.

Her work embodies the importance of ongoing innovation and collaboration in creating sustainable and secure food systems, and as we look ahead, her contributions promise to significantly impact the future of agriculture in Canada and around the world.

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