Ryan and Romy Schill, owners of Circle R Livestock Ltd. and Revolution Wool Company in Wallenstein, Ontario, have been named Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025.
The couple was honoured during a regional celebration hosted at the Gathering House, Thatcher Farms, on April 1, where sponsors and past recipients gathered to recognize their achievement.
The Schills will represent Ontario at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers national event, taking place in Toronto in November 2025.
Operating in Wellington County, Ryan and Romy manage their generational family sheep farm with an eye for both tradition and innovation.
Romy, who was raised on a dairy farm, holds a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Guelph, while Ryan, who grew up on a mixed farm, earned his Agricultural Certificate at Vermilion College. Their combined experience and education have played a crucial role in advancing the operation.
At the core of Circle R Livestock Ltd. is the soil. The Schills believe that caring for the land is the foundation of their farm’s success. Using conservation-minded practices such as no-till and minimum till methods, crop rotation, and responsible use of manure and fertilizers, they nurture the soil to support healthy crops.
These crops including hay, grass forages, corn, wheat, and barley — form the majority of their sheep feed, which is carefully tested and balanced for optimal animal health.
Their farm is home to around 700 ewes, including purebred Dorset, Dorset-Rideau crosses, and maternal crosses, with a focus on year-round lambing. This approach not only spreads the workload but also ensures a steady, reliable income.
Beyond the barn, the Schills also operate Revolution Wool Company, where wool from their flock is processed through Canadian mills to produce natural wool products. They take pride in offering wool in its purest form — straight from the farm to consumers.
“The 2025 Outstanding Young Farmers, Ryan and Romy Schill, exemplify the excellence that COYF stands for," said Amy Cronin, President of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer Program. "Their sheep and wool operation is a story of hard work and perseverance, innovation, family involvement and diversifying to meet the desires of consumers both now and into the future.”
The national winners will be announced at the competition in Toronto from November 27 to 30, 2025.