Kirk Rankin – R.B.R. Fur Farms Limited (Perth South)

The Rankin family has been raising mink in the St. Marys area since the 1930s, and at the peak of the farm’s operations in the mid-2000s, they housed and raised kits from 4,100 to 4,300 breeding females alongside hundreds of males. Kirk Rankin took over the farm from his father Jim, who had taken over from his father Dow — making Kirk a third-generation mink farmer.

Kirk has been deeply involved in the mink and agricultural sectors for decades. He began his involvement as President of the St. Marys Mink Breeders Association and served as a Director of the Perth County Federation of Agriculture from 1994 to 2020. Kirk also served as President of the Ontario Fur Breeders Association and held key roles with the North American Fur Association, the North American Fur Producers Inc., and the North American Fur Auctions.

In 2004, Kirk was elected to the board of the Canadian Mink Breeders Association (CMBA), where he served until 2018 and held the position of President from 2013 to 2015. He chaired several important committees, including the Code Committee for the Care and Handling of Ranched Mink and the associated certification program, Certifur Canada.

Kirk’s leadership extended beyond mink farming. He advocated for thoughtful land use planning and the recognition of agriculture in Perth County’s land use policies. Under his guidance, R.B.R. Fur Farms Limited received the 2018 BMO Bank of Montreal and Ontario Plowmen’s Association Farm Family Award for outstanding contributions to Ontario agriculture.

The Stratford Perth Museum is honoured to recognize Kirk Rankin’s lifetime of dedication to agriculture with his induction into the Agriculture Wall of Fame.

Carl Schade – Advanced Dairy Systems (West Perth)

Carl Schade dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to the dairy industry, becoming a trusted expert in automatic milking and feeding systems. He began his career with Debus Dairy and later became the owner of Advanced Dairy Systems, where he provided exceptional service to dairy farmers across Perth County and beyond.

Carl’s expertise in Bou-Matic milking equipment and his willingness to solve problems at any hour made him an essential figure in the local agricultural community. Farmers knew that when Carl showed up, the cows would be milked, and the milk would be properly cooled — no matter the challenge.

Carl was recognized globally for his contributions to the dairy industry. In the fall of 2024, just weeks before his passing, Carl traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, to receive a prestigious 50-year award from Bou-Matic at the World Dairy Expo. He was presented with a golden clock inscribed with his name — a lasting symbol of his legacy in the dairy industry.

Beyond his professional work, Carl was a generous supporter of the local agricultural community. He was instrumental in setting up the milking system at the new Stratford District Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, making Stratford the only fairground in Ontario able to ship Grade “A” milk after a dairy show. Carl was known for his booming voice, his unwavering dedication, and his willingness to help others without hesitation.

Carl passed away on October 21, 2024, just three weeks after receiving his Bou-Matic award. His legacy of professionalism, generosity, and agricultural excellence lives on in the many farmers and families he supported throughout his lifetime.

The Stratford Perth Museum is proud to honour Carl Schade’s lifetime of service and dedication with his induction into the Agriculture Wall of Fame.