Mapleton sheep farmers recognized with national award

WALLENSTEIN – Ryan and Romy Schill took the national stage late last year in recognition of their outstanding work as young farmers.

They’re one of two winning couples of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers program, an annual competition to recognize farmers under 40 years old that exemplify excellence and promote agriculture.

The Schills run Circle R Livestock Limited and Revolution Wool Company, which are based out of their family farm in Wallenstein.

The other national winners were Pierre Luc Barré and Virginie Bourque of La Ferme Yves Barré Inc in St. Damase, Québec.

The awards were presented during an Outstanding Young Farmers event in Toronto from Nov. 27 to 30.

Romy told the Advertiser the couple “had a fantastic time at the event, meeting the other nominees from our group and previous years.

“Every farm is so diverse and unique but you can learn from all their stories. We brought home so many little things we want to do on our own farm.”

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She said everyone involved is “motivating and forward thinking, which is such an encouragement to us as farmers.”

"It's really neat that we were able to sort of add our little sheep and wool story to that too ... we're just a little 100 acre farm in little Mapleton Township but we have a story to tell and it was really great to be able to do that."

Ryan said they met many great people at the event and are looking forward to taking trips across Canada to visit some of their new friends.

“This has also been a great opportunity to share how sheep production in Canada is such a great industry and has so much potential,” he said.

Through the award application the Schills shared how they launched their farming careers just after getting married at 22 years old and how the farm has progressed since, including environmental impact, risk mitigation and financial components.

Ryan took over his grandfather’s mixed pork, beef and chicken farm nearly 20 years ago. Since then, he and his wife have transitioned to focus on sheep.

They started with about 25 ewes, and now have more than 1,000 sheep on the farm, lambing all year to mitigate risk.

“By focusing on reducing costs, introducing better genetics and marketing their lambs to local butchers, they have added value to their sheep business,” states a press release from Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.

“Revolution Wool Company allowed them to take what was considered a waste product and add value to their sheep business,” the release continues.

“Their next steps for expanding the wool business will be to focus on marketing their yarn, batting, felt and wool pillows both in-store and online.”

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers president Amy Cromin said the Schills “emulate what our program stands for – excellence, continuous learning, progression, innovation and sustainability.

“They give generously of their time and energy to make their communities thrive and are excellent advocates for agriculture.”

Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and MPP Matthew Rae presented federal and provincial certificates to the Schills in recognition of their win during a Jan. 13 Mapleton council meeting.

Township council and staff got to their feet while applauding for the farmers, and Ryan chuckled and said "we really didn't need a standing ovation."

He said they're honoured to receive the award and all the other couples they competed against were very deserving.

"It is a wonderful testament to your dedication and hard work to be recognized as Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers," Nater said.

"What is most impressive is that you're able to tell Canada's agricultural story and what agriculture is in 2026," he added.

"Agriculture is often not celebrated ... as much as it ought to be and your story, through the use of social media, helps to tell that story.

"You are inspiring a new generation of young people who can see a future in agriculture here in Mapleton, Ontario and in Canada."

Rae said "leadership in agriculture is not just about acreage or output – it's measured in stewardship, courage and care. And Ryan and Romy embodied all three traits here today."

He said it's great to see a Mapleton farm receiving national, and arguably international, acclaim and encouraged the Schills to continue sharing their story.

"I don't think people in the larger urban centres ... realize what we have in Wellington County," Rae continued.

Before receiving the national recognition, the Schills won first place in Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers program.

At that time Romy spoke with the Advertiser about how the couple shares farming stories, struggles and successes on social media.

She saw winning the award as a way to continue to amplify those stories.

“Telling our story, connecting with other producers and encouraging other people to get into sheep farming has always been really important to us,” she said.

“People need to see that someone else has done it, and maybe they can do it too.”

To follow the Schills on facebook visit facebook.com/circlerlamb and facebook.com/revolutionwoolco.