Winter 12 - Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

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
www.hscia.wordpress.com 4 Winter 2012