Select Seed

Overlooking a stately tree from his office window on the top floor of the Innovation Centre in downtown Salmon Arm, Frederik Vroom of Select Seed Co. Ltd., a tree seed orchard manager, who previously worked in Vancouver, shares why he chose Salmon Arm.  “I always wanted to live near the forest”. Salmon Arm, as he rightly pointed out, is a centre in the middle of a forest and indeed its economic history is deeply rooted in forestry.  

Frederik Vroom studied Forest Ecology and Management in the Netherlands. He spent his career in wide range of forestry related jobs mostly focussed around the reforestation. He spent four years as a Program Manager for Tree Canada (Canada’s Urban Tree NGO) and worked at the Ministry of Forests’ seed orchard (Skimikin) near Salmon Arm prior to joining Select Seed in 2022.

Select Seed produces and harvests tree seed for the reforestation of British Columbia’s forests. Working with several partners, SelectSeed established and manages 13 tree seed orchards in and for the BC interior. Reforestation requires seedlings and seedlings require high quality seed lots of lodgepole pine, interior Douglas fir and interior spruce. To ensure the right trees are planted in the right areas, tree seed production and use is strictly regulated. Vroom supports partners and contractors with management and technical advice to ensure the efficient production of cones and seed. He also oversees the company’s seed inventory and sales, which ensure forestry clients can fulfill their reforestation obligations.

Since 2022 Select Seed occupies an office at the Innovation Centre, which happens to be in the same building as the Shuswap Makerspace, where Frederik is a volunteer. The Makerspace of particular benefit to his work. “It helps to have a fully equipped shop in the basement of this building”, states Vroom, while pointing to a prototype of a pollen monitoring apparatus that he build. The turn-key office space also contributes to a healthy work-life balance.  Although working from home is a good option, one thing he enjoys is the opportunity to connect to a community and learn from what others are doing. 

Next to his work, Vroom loves to bike and hike in the Shuswap and beyond. He is also a volunteer with Shuswap Search and Rescue. Vroom feels it’s important to marvel and enjoy everything the forest has to offer in and outside of work.  

As for what the future of our forest and region holds, perspective is key. Consider for example that the Netherlands, where Vroom is from, fits into British Columbia 23 times. Pests, fires and climate change might threaten the forest as we know it but it’s a big province, with a lot of trees” and beautiful forests. Forestry will remain an integral part of British Columbia’s story. SelectSeed will also continue to play a vital role in that growth.