Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) Program celebrated two national winners who showed how small and medium-sized farms can thrive through innovation, smart decision-making, and community values.
Hosted in Toronto from November 27 to 30, 2025, the event highlighted farmers under 40 who build strong, sustainable businesses that contribute to Canadian agriculture.
This year’s winners—Ryan and Romy Schill, Circle R Livestock Ltd from Ontario, and Pierre-Luc Barré and Virginie Bourque, La Ferme Yves Barré Inc from Quebec —demonstrated that small farms can achieve major success through creativity and long-term planning.
In Wallenstein, Ontario, the Schills reshaped their family’s small mixed farm into a focused sheep enterprise. They expanded their flock gradually, introduced year-round lambing to balance workload and income, and added a wool business that transforms leftover wool into useful products such as batting, felt & wool pillows. Their ability to turn small-scale resources into diversified income streams made them stand out.
In Saint-Damase, Quebec, Pierre-Luc Barré and Virginie Bourque built on three generations of small-farm heritage by adapting to market changes. When traditional crop markets shifted, they invested in potatoes and grew their acreage step by step. Their farm now produces millions of pounds of pre-peeled potatoes, with plans for slow, steady expansion as land becomes available.
Regional finalists from across Canada also shared stories of resourcefulness, including urban–rural partnerships, direct-to-consumer sales, small-lot vegetable production, and efforts to reduce input costs while caring for the land.
OYF President Amy Cronin said the finalists reflected “excellence, progression, innovation, and sustainability,” showing how young farmers with modest land bases can build competitive, respected farm businesses.
Now in its 45th year, the OYF Program continues to celebrate small farms that are building the future of Canadian agriculture—one idea, one improvement, and one community at a time.