Abbotsford's Van Belle Nursery still growing strong after 50 years

17.10.2023 - 19:11 / theprovince.com / Brian Minter

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Any company that can celebrate 50 years in operation has hit a great milestone, and when that company is still growing and expanding in new directions, well, that’s really something in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

Last week, Van Belle Nursery in Abbotsford not only marked 50 years in the nursery industry but also showcased their new expanded growing facilities. They now have 100 acres of state-of-the-art greenhouses, container fields, raised bench yards, with shipping bays to meet their current demand for product.

Back in 1973, Bill and Grace Van Belle developed a wholesale nursery in the Abbotsford area and for many years provided retailers with a wide assortment of trees and shrubs. They were well known and much liked and respected in the industry. As with most nursery businesses, weather and the economy were both friends and foes, but through their hard work, dedication and innovation, they grew into a thriving operation.

About 30 years later, their son, David, joined the business, and after assessing their status, looked at new opportunities for growth and expansion.

Building on what his parents had started, he embraced their “Golden Rules”: “We believe in and commit to five core values: Best effort. Always positive. Respect people. Find a better way. And do it now. These unify us as a team and fuel our strive to deliver the best plants, best service and best shipping experience to our fine partners each and every day.”

He knew that to grow the business they needed a fresh approach, so his first undertaking was to expand and