Unveiling the Secrets of Daily Operations: How Michael DelCiancio balances family, community, and data-driven growing at DC Farms

When we met with Michael in the Leamington Kingsville area to explore the different futures of greenhouse climate control, it was clear that his commitment to his local community, family, and the land is at the heart of his approach to farming. Growing the best produce possible - every single day. Because nature doesn't stop, operations can't miss a single beat. When nature fluctuates, we need to bring balance and continuity.

“I am 41 years old and a third generation family farmer in the Leamington Kingsville area. My family has been farming this land since 1979 and in greenhouse farming since 1995. You could say I grew up driving tractors, carrying tomato crates and selling produce to our community. It's quite special to continue the values your family set forth, to work with your parents and son. It's a luxury I wouldn't have elsewhere.

Farming wasn't the straightforward choice for me after school, I studied music business and philosophy for a time. Growing up, people say: follow your passions, and sometimes I believe that you can create a passion if you're in it long enough. Something I love about this industry is dealing with something living, breathing and perishable - you become a Jack of all trades.”

“My typical day starts at 5.30. I'm used to waking up at this time naturally or when my son comes to wake me up.” he shares with a laugh. A quick workout helps him clear his head before heading to the greenhouse, where he begins each day with a quiet walk among the plants. “Now, last week we had our first very hot weather. As a grower, in the winter you're usually worried about your boiler and the heating, in the summer you're worried about irrigation.”

Michael’s connection to his team is essential to his approach. “I work closely with my employees to make me aware of any issues they notice. Dealing with my employees is everything. Really, I wouldn't be here without them and neither would this entire industry.” Many on his team have returned year after year, and together they form a close-knit group that supports one another through the demands of the season.

“Continuity in our business is very crucial. We are dealing with plants and mother nature, both can fluctuate very much, so the human element and balance we can bring with technology are very important. My plants can feel it and my employees can feel it.” But maintaining this balance wouldn’t be possible without technology, which has become a quiet but powerful partner at DC Farms.

“I have been using Machine Learning technology for autonomous growing in combination with Priva Connext for the last two and a half years. In year one, I started off with applying the Machine Learning technology on one acre and compared it to an acre I ran myself. I started learning about data collection and transfer. It was interesting to see the slight difference in the decision we took ourselves and with the Machine Learning technology, slowly building trust in the end results. Moving forward, my plan is to keep a close eye on the fine tuning differences in predictive growing software and hardware, to find the ideal fit for my farm and growing style".

“The growers are quite experienced with years returning, and it's great to have that consistency. I'm responsible for my team and their families. We have to be tight-knit, everybody feels like they have each other's back, and I've had many employees return year after year, up to double digits. But some positions are challenging to fill when someone leaves. Predictive cultivation has definitely helped me in training new growers. Now I can trust that behind the scenes the fine-tuning decisions are being made, that's nice to know.” Technology has enabled DC Farms to uphold the quality and reliability that keep customers coming back, while also making life a little easier for the people on the ground.

For Michael, DC Farms is more than a business; it’s a living testament to the resilience and adaptability of family farming. His dedication to balancing tradition with forward-thinking solutions is a reminder that farming is as much about people and community as it is about plants and technology. With every early morning, every decision, and every season, Michael DelCiancio is carrying forward the legacy of DC Farms—one crop, one day, and one innovation at a time.