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.
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