Winter 12 - Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 4 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! WINTER 2012 

! 

HEARTLAND 

Soil and Crop Improvement Association 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 

Brian Domm, A Grower with a Difference 

FarmSmart Preview 

OSCIA News 

OMAFRA Crop Talk 

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

@HeartlandSCIA! ! ! ! www.hscia.wordpress.com

Regional SCIA Contact Information 

Heartland Executive 

Chair: ! ! 

J. Poel! ! 519-229-8704! johnpoel@quadro.net 

Vice Chair: 

B. Miller!! 519-595-8018! mille999@cyg.net 

Provincial Director: 

S. Wright ! 519-848-5493! cswright2003@yahoo.ca 

! 

County Association Directors 

Huron: ! 

J. Vermunt! 519-851-0371! vermunt@hay.net 

Perth:! 

J. Poel! ! 519-229-8704! johnpoel@quadro.net 

Waterloo: ! 

C. Martin! 519-648-6630! craig@cribit.com 

Wellington: 

W. Cunningham! 519-855-6630! bw.cunningham@xplornet.com 

OMAFRA Representative 

Horst Bohner! 519-271-5858! horst.bohner@ontario.ca 

Regional Communications Coordinator! 

Karen Jacobs! 519-662-1505! heartlandrcc@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association 

1 Stone Rd W, Guelph, ON, N1G 4Y2 

1-800-265-9751! www.ontariosoilcrop.org ! www.oscia.cloverpad.org 

The Heartland SCIA Newsletter is distributed four 

times a year to members of the local Soil and Crop 

Improvement Associations of Huron, Perth, Wellington 

and Waterloo counties. 

Return undeliverable mail to: 

Heartland SCIA 

c/o Karen Jacobs 

488 Huron St 

If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, or if 

you need to change an address, please contact the 

editor, Karen Jacobs. 

Comments, ideas, sponsorships and articles are 

New Hamburg, ON, N3A 1J7 

Canada Post Customer #04590260 

Publications Mail Agreement #40046371 

EDITORIAL 

It’s Annual General Meeting season again! In the 

next few months there will be AGM’s held all the 

Heartland counties, except Waterloo (to hold an 

AGM we need a Board of Directors - hint, hint!). 

There is also the big OSCIA AGM that will be held 

in February. 

You will find information about the Wellington and 

the Perth AGM’s here in the newsletter. Those of 

you in Huron County have probably already received 

something in the mail about your meeting. That 

Huron meeting might even be over by the time you 

get this newsletter! If you need some info about the 

AGM’s you can always check out 

www.oscia.cloverpad.org. 

AGM season is also membership renewal season. As 

costs continue to increase, we’ve had to increase our 

membership fees slightly just to keep up. Many 

thanks for your understanding. 

Two counties, Wellington and Waterloo, are doing a 

trial offer of multi-year memberships. When 

renewing, you have the option of a one year or a 

three year membership. The three year membership 

offers better value than the single year option. 

Other counties around the province are offering 

multi-year memberships, so we thought we would 

try it out. Please let your local secretary know if you 

like this idea, it is a trial this year so we need your 

feedback! If it is not popular we might not do it 

next year, if it is popular we might expand the idea 

into other counties. 

What else is coming up? FarmSmart! Check out 

the information on the back cover of this newsletter 

for a preview, and watch your mailbox for a full 

schedule of speakers. 

! ! ! ! ! Karen 

Front Cover: Brian Domm in his Cambridge area shop. 

www.hscia.wordpress.com 2 Winter 2012

A GROWER WITH A DIFFERENCE 

Brian Domm grew up on his father's small mixed farm 

at the edge of Cambridge, started his own cash crop 

operation and created a Land Improvements operation 

to help weather the dismal commodity prices of the 

1990‘s. He is one of the most respected farmers in the 

area. He is also a major producer, farming 4700ac of 

land. Now he is taking his agricultural knowledge and 

strong work ethic, and his son, to developing countries 

to work on humanitarian projects. 

Domm made his official start as a cash cropper when 

the farm neighbouring his father’s came up for lease. 

Having already decided that livestock farming was not 

for him, this was his chance to try cash cropping. 

A few years later, the nearby Cruickston Park Farm, 

owned but the University of Guelph, came available for 

lease. The 1000ac property was a chance to more than 

double Domm's workable acreage overnight, but could 

his small and rather worn out equipment handle it? 

Domm decided to risk it. It was time to get busy in the 

shop modifying that equipment, and to start considering 

replacing some of it! 

Word spread that Domm was working the University's 

land, and other landowners began calling him about 

land that was available to lease. The sentiment 

seemed to be that if Domm was good enough for the 

University he was good enough for them. Brian Domm 

Farms Ltd. began to expand rapidly. 

Then the terrible commodity prices of the 1990's 

happened. Many farmers were losing money, and after 

several years of bad prices some of the older farmers 

decided they wanted out. 

This was a great opportunity for a growing cash 

cropper, but Domm was facing the same low prices as 

everyone else. He leased as much of the available land 

as he could. Then he started looking for other ways to 

make some income to offset the low commodity prices. 

"Opportunities are out there when things are 

tough, you just have to go a"er them" 

- Brian Domm 

By then, Domm had a fair amount of equipment, and a 

good staff he wanted to keep employed. He asked 

himself, "what else can this tractor and this man do?". 

If it had not been for the necessity of keeping food on 

his own table Domm might still be just a cash cropper. 

Being situated at the edge of a rapidly growing city, 

Domm saw a lot of work being done that his agricultural 

equipment would be able to handle. The idea of 

promoting a Land Improvements operation came then. 

He developed the Land Improvements side of his 

business off resources he already had. Then, as the 

work load increased, he began buying more specialize 

equipment. 

Archaeology plowing, a Land Improvement operation, is 

a basic operation that can yield amazing discoveries. 

Domm's part of the process is to plow the field. After 

two or three heavy rains the archaeological team walks 

every furrow looking for artifacts such as arrowheads. If 

there are any findings, the soil is excavated, sifted and 

screened for more artifacts. This is a standard 

requirement before a site can be developed. 

Some examples of land improvements: grading work at Conestoga College, a newly installed culvert with erosion control, 

modifying a filed entrance with heavy equipment (photos on the right are curtesy of Brian Domm Farm Ltd.) 


Normally, archaeological findings are minimal, but along 

Huron Road in Kitchener, a field that Domm plowed 

contained an entire Huron village! Domm had been 

farming this land for several years, but it wasn't until the 

pre-development archaeological survey occurred that 

there was any indication of the underlying village. 

After the top soil had been removed, post holes, fire 

pits and the layouts of the longhouses were clearly 

visible due to the colour changes in the soil. After 

proper excavation, documentation and preservation of 

the artifacts for display in a museum, the site was 

eventually developed. Today the site is home to 

another 'village' in the form of a modern sub-division. 

Farming in an urban environment presents the 

predictable challenges when moving large scale 

equipment. When possible, Domm tries to avoid rush 

hours. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid 

commuting with his urban neighbours. 

Domm has to be very conscientious about his urban 

farming practices, particularly during spraying 

operations. He is proactive and posts signs to notify 

walkers that spraying is occurring. A sign is placed at 

each end of the trail that says "Caution! Field Spraying 

in Progress". 

He is very 

careful to 

keep sprays 

on the crops, 

and not on the 

walking trails. 

One of the 

biggest challenges with urban farming is equipment 

damage. People have parked bicycles right in the corn 

rows. There is no way to know they are there until the 

combine is literally on top of them. He has had 

problems with broken corn heads and rollers. Another 

problem is flat tires due to scrap metal and other debris 

being strewn carelessly in the fields. 

Brian Domm Farms Ltd. is a family operation at it’s 

core. Domm’s wife Marianne is co-owner, secretary, 

treasurer and administrator of the operation. She also 

works part time at TD Canada Trust in administration. 

This allows her to understand and experience both 

sides of the employee-employer table. 

Domm’s younger son Colin likes to help with hay and 

stone picking on the farm. Colin, who has Down 

syndrome, is very active at his high school and with the 

Best Buddies program. This is a national volunteer 

program matching people with and without intellectual 

disabilities to create and foster friendships. His photo is 

on many of the Best Buddies posters for the 2013 

promotional campaign. 

Domm’s elder son Branden is currently attending 

Ridgetown College’s Agriculture Program, and plans to 

work with his father once he graduates. He is focusing 

on precision agriculture and plans to take Brian Domm 

Farms Ltd. to the next level in terms of variable rate 

fertilization and planting. 

With Branden about to join the operation, Domm is 

enjoying the freedom of being able to support his other 

interests, particularly humanitarian work with 

Possibilities International, based in Kitchener, and 

International Needs, out of Burlington. 

He has been to Guatemala to help build homes, to the 

Dominican Republic to help with food production and to 

Uzbekistan to build sports fields at an orphanage with 

the help of Case IH Corporate. Domm has always been 

interested in helping, but now he will have even more 

opportunity to do so. 

Late in November Domm is going to the Dominican 

Republic as an ambassador for the University of 

Guelph, Ridgetown College, to work out the details for 

this year’s reading week trip. Students who are 

interested and committed 

to helping improve food 

production can apply to 

go on the trip, which is 

part of International 

Needs program. In 

February, the students, 

including Branden, will 

be ready to go to work in 

the Dominican Republic, 

and Domm will be there 

in a leadership role. 

Brian Domm believes 

that the landlords who 

support and work with 

him and his company 

are also supporting his 

Branden in the Dominican 

Republic (photo curtesy of 

Brian Domm Farms Ltd.) 

humanitarian passions. He supports humanitarian trips, 

agricultural projects, building and medical needs and 

overseas training in better land stewardship practices. 

Brian Domm really is a grower with a difference. 

For more information please visit the following websites: 

www.bestbuddies.ca, www.briandomm.com, 

www.iam1ru.com, www.internationalneeds.ca 


WELLINGTON COUNTY SOIL & CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 

ANNUAL MEETING 

FRIDAY DECEMBER 7, 2012 - ALMA BIBLE CHURCH, ALMA 

9:00 AM Registration ($35) includes annual membership $25* and lunch – subsidized by Wellington Soil 

& Crop 

Membership only - $25; Lunch only - $15 

Pre-registration required by Friday November 30, 2012. 

- 9:30 AM Welcome; Early Bird Draw – donated by Pioneer Seeds, Jim Coffey local dealer 

- Business meeting, minutes, financial examiner’s report & financial statement, other 

business, appointment of financial examiner for 2013 

10:00 AM “Bountiful Beans” – get the latest & greatest on Soybeans 

Horst Bohner, Crop Specialist, OMAFRA 

10:40 AM Karen Jacobs - Regional Communication Coordinator, Heartland Report 

11:00 AM “The Fertilizer Act & what it means to Farmers” 

Keith Reid, Agriculture Canada 

11:40 AM Provincial Director's Report - Stuart Wright 

11:50 AM Call for nominations for the Board of Directors 

12:00 NOON Forage Master’s Competition – John Beer 

12:15 PM Hot Roast Beef Dinner, served by Alma Ladies 

Please note – door prizes will be drawn & given out during the meeting! All farm businesses and sponsors are 

greatly appreciated. For a complete list please see the bulletin at the front of the hall! Please 

take time over the lunch hour to visit with the booths situated around the hall. We greatly 

appreciate this sponsorship as well! 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

1:15 PM Election of Officers 

1:30 PM “Growing your Profits & Environmental Farm Plan Update” 

Liz Samis & John Benham 

2:00 PM “Plowing is a Four Letter Word” 

Pat Lynch, CCA 

3:00 PM Resolutions to OSCIA (please have these typed up & presented to Secretary 

prior to the meeting) 

3:10 PM Adjourn 

Meeting expenses, refreshments & snacks etc. sponsored in part by 

Woodrill Farms & Pioneer Corn. 

To ensure you get a lunch, please pre-register by Friday Nov. 29 by calling Linda McFadden, 519-846-5215. BRING A 

FRIEND! BRING A NEIGHBOUR! BUT, PLEASE!! CALL AHEAD!! NOTE THERE IS A VERY SHORT TURNAROUND FOR 

REGISTERING; PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP FORM WITH YOU! 

Please note the meal is subsidized by the Wellington County Soil & Crop Improvement Association! 

*Wellington Soil & Crop is now offering a three year membership fee for a total of $60.00 – a savings of $15 over three years! 


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12-11-09 12:09 PM

FROM THE DESK OF STUART WRIGHT 

HEARTLAND’S PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR 

I think it's time to get our butts, not 

in gear, but in shape. We're going 

to have a lot of sitting to do in the 

next few months as meeting season 

will soon be upon us and our 

gluteus maximus' will be sorely 

tested. After a busy cropping year 

we're all probably ready for some 

sitting and thinking. It's always a 

good idea to expand our knowledge 

when we get the chance. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing 

everyone at the Annual General Meetings around 

Heartland and I'm sure all of you out there have been 

busy developing agendas, contacting speakers and 

lining up halls and caterers. A great amount of 

information will be shared at these events, not only by 

the people at the podium, but by the individual 

producers who chat during the lunch and breaks. 

One thing I'm quite pleased about at the provincial level 

is the OSCIA Executive has allowed more free time at 

February’s AGM. This will allow producers from across 

Ontario to network and share ideas with one another. 

Also along these same lines, there are plans to 

continue the Roundtable exercise during the meeting 

where everyone can comment on how they do things in 

their counties and regions. While specific questions are 

asked in these situations, farmers are masters of 

straying off topic so after, or maybe before, the 

questions are answered many different tangents will 

take the conversation Lord knows where. Bottom line is 

that a lot of learning happens in these meetings. 

Looking back on the summer we had a lot of excitement 

in the Region with events like the Forage Expo in Perth 

and the Farmsmart Expo in Wellington. One event I'd 

like to focus on now because it was such an eye-opener 

for me was the Plowing match in Waterloo. It was held 

in a part of the Region that I was not really familiar with. 

OSCIA had a booth there and I spent some time with 

RCC Karen Jacobs and Lead RCC Cathy Dibble 

meeting some of the people that dropped by to catch up 

on what we are doing in the Association. 

Many folks had questions about the EFP and Growing 

Your Farm Profits and I think these programs will 

continue to be popular and relevant 

to farmers everywhere, especially in 

light of the federal government’s 

decision to bring forward the new 

Growing Forward 2 funding 

program. Negotiations are ongoing 

with provincial governments but we 

are hopeful that these programs will 

be invigorated with new resources. 

What really struck me during my 

time at the Match was what a great 

farm area this is. It's so close to the 

city but the quality of the farms and the farmers are top 

notch. Getting a chance to meet some producers was a 

pleasure and certainly made me realize how hard 

working and innovative the folks are in Waterloo. It 

certainly would be great to get a Board of directors 

going again in this part of the Region. 

Since Waterloo is unique in Heartland due to it's 

proximity to a large urban area, there are compelling 

reasons to take advantage of EFP programs. 

Strengthening the overall structure of Soil and Crop with 

a new Board would help solidify the continuation of all 

of the programs that deliver value to farmers. 

Waterloo is already a big contributor to Heartland this 

year they (and when I say "they" I mean last man 

standing Craig Martin) were instrumental in funding the 

promotional table top display that Heartland purchased 

this summer. Thanks by the way also to Heartland 

Chairman John Poel for suggesting the idea of the 

display. It makes you think what could be accomplished 

if there were a full slate of directors in Waterloo. They 

could make the same kind of contribution that the 

excellent new board in Huron has made in the western 

part of Heartland. If anyone out there in Waterloo has a 

desire to become involved please let myself or RCC 

Karen or any Soil and Crop person know and we will 

give you as much help and encouragement as we can. 

So with that I'll conclude with the message that it's 

important to support your AGM's with your attendance. 

There will great speakers, great conversation and most 

importantly great food, much of it produced by the 

greatest farmers in the world right here in Ontario. 

Looking forward to seeing you. And getting back to the 

sore butt issue maybe we should all bring pillows. 


The Perth County MTO Meeting planned for November 28, 2012 has been 

CANCELLED!! 

We apologize for any inconvenience. 

PERTH COUNTY SOIL & CROP 

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 

ANNUAL BANQUET & MEETING 

THURSDAY – JANUARY 17 th – 2013 

PERTH EAST RECREATION COMPLEX 

MILVERTON 

SOCIALIZE - 5:45 P.M. 

DINNER - 6:30 P.M 

GUEST Speaker 

Controversial -T.V. Host - Michael Coren 

Author, Print & Broadcast Journalist, Media Host 

See Michael Every Tuesday @ 7 p.m. on “The Arena” 

(Channel 567 HSUNN) 

Tickets.$20.00---Call 519-271-5190---to reserve 

or e-mail eandtsmith@golden.net 

Feeding Canadians Daily 


HEARTLAND’S NEW DISPLAY 

Heartland Region has a new display board! 

The board has interchangeable headers, making it useful 

for all four counties, and Heartland Region in general. 

There are various banners and photos that can be 

attached, depending on the event. 

The images attach with velcro, which allows the display to 

easily, and 

inexpensively, 

be changed 

and updated 

as needed. 

This should 

be a useful tool to help promote our organization at 

various events held in the Region. 

The idea came from the Perth County Executive, although 

the Waterloo County Association ultimately made the 

purchase. 

OMAFRA E-PUBS 

The publications page at www.ontario.ca/omafra 

now features several factsheets as ePubs. Read 

and take with you information on drainage, nutrient 

management, soil erosion and water efficiency! 

An ePUB is a digital publication that are readable on 

computers or other electronic devices such as 

eReaders (i.e. Kobo, Kindle), personal computers, 

tablets and some mobile phones. ePUB is designed 

for reflowable content, meaning that the text 

automatically formats to your screen size based on 

the device being used. 

ePUBs allow you to take the information with you 

and access it anytime, anywhere! 

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/ 

epubs.htm 

Many Thanks to our Sponsors! 

Apine Plant Foods 

C&M Seeds 

Dekalb 

Good Crop Services 

Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association 

Novozymes 

Perth County Soil and Crop Improvement Association 

Rosendale Farms Ltd. 

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association 

Waterloo County Soil and Crop Improvement Association 

We%ington County Soil and Crop Improvement Association 


Workshops Now Available 

Start the business planning process by attending 

this FREE two-day interactive workshop. 

You will: • Assess business management practices 

• Determine priorities and key goals 

• Develop realistic action plans 

• Learn about cost-share funding opportunities 

County Town Day 1 Day 2 

Huron 

No workshops planned at this time. 

Contact: Lois Sinclair 519-357-3146 huron@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Perth Wednesday, Nov. 28 Wednesday, Dec. 5 

Contact: Kate Proctor 519-887-8951 perthGYFP@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Waterloo 


Contact: Liz Samis 519-638-3268 waterlooGYFP@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Wellington 


Contact: John Benham 519-846-0941 wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Workshops will start at 9:30 am 

Pre-registration is required 

for all workshops. 

Register Online at 

www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops 

Supported through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. 

Canada-Ontario 

Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) 

Workshops Now Available 

County Town Day 1 Day 2 

Huron Clinton Friday, Dec. 7 Friday, Dec. 14 

Contact: Lois Sinclair 519-357-3146 huron@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Perth 

No workshops planned at this time 

Contact: Sharon Diehl 519-595-4896 perth@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Waterloo 


Contact: Frank Kains 519-742-4591 waterloo@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Wellington 

Producers are invited to attend free 

EFP (Third Edition) Workshops to learn more 

about best management practices, develop an 

action plan for their farm and get details on 

cost-share programs that may be available. 


Contact: John Benham 519-846-0941 wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org 

Pre-registration is required 

for all workshops. 

Register Online at 

www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops 

Supported through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. 


Special thanks to our major agribusiness 

sponsor, Dekalb, and to 

all of our newsletter sponsors for 

their generous support! 

FarmSmart Conference 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 & SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013 

Huron County SCIA 

Perth County SCIA 

Waterloo County SCIA 

Wellington County SCIA 

Featuring “Beef Symposium” & “CornSmart” - New this year! 

Join your neighbours at one of the industry’s 

premier agriculture showcase and learning 

opportunities! Last year over 1000 people 

attended the 2012 FarmSmart Conference with 

Beef Symposium. Make sure you don’t miss out 

on the 2013 opportunity! 

Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education 

credits have been applied for. 

Look for your official program brochure in the 

Jan. 2, 2013 issue of the Ontario Farmer. 

Follow us on Twitter @FarmSmart1 for all the latest 

FarmSmart Conference news! 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 - CornSmart NEW 

Puslinch Community Centre, 23 Brock Road 

South, Guelph (Aberfoyle) 

A day-long program addition to the FarmSmart 

lineup! An exclusive focus on corn with Ken 

Ferrie of Crop-Tech Consulting, Illinois. 

Sign in at 8:45 am. First session starts at 9:00 am. 

Registrations limited to 200. 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 

Rozanski Hall, University of Guelph, Guelph 

Sign in at 8:30 am. First session starts at 9:00 am. 

REGISTRATION FEES (Before Jan. 14, 2013): $50 

OSCIA member/Verified Beef Production Workshop; $80 

regular fee (includes one-year OSCIA membership for 2013); 

add $25 late fee to above for registration after Jan. 14, 2013). 

Student/Youth: $30. Faculty/extension personnel: $50. All 

fees quoted per day. Lunch included. Walk-in registrations 

welcome, but lunch not guaranteed. 

www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart 

Information: 1-877-424-1300 or www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart 

Follow on Twitter @soilandcrop 

FarmSmart is brought to you by the Golden Horseshoe 

and Heartland Regional Soil and Crop Improvement 

Associations, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food 

and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Ontario Soil and Crop 

Improvement Association (OSCIA), the University of 

Guelph and various agribusiness partners. 

9= 

Register online at www.oscia.cloverpad.org 

or call 1-877-424-1300

Winter 12 - Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

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