A Short Film About Black Sheep Farm

Brenda Hsueh is the founder of Black Sheep Farm in Chesley, Ontario, a 40-acre agroecological farm that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, circular economy and social justice. At Black Sheep Farm, sheep are grazed on pasture using intensive managed grazing techniques, which maximize the soil carbon capture benefits of ruminants. This practice helps produce food and fiber from grass—something humans can’t eat—but that can be transformed into something beautiful and functional.

Together with her partner, Skyler Radojkovic, Brenda manages the day-to-day operations of the farm, ensuring it stays true to its commitment to sustainable farming practices. Their 7-year-old daughter, Emma, also lives with them on the farm. Brenda also works 2 days per week for a national group called Farmers for Climate Solutions.

Black Sheep Farm’s flock is primarily made up of longhair breeds, a cross between Gotland and Romney sheep, selectively bred for their darker shades. Their wool naturally produces a stunning range of colours, from light greys to deep browns, creating unique, naturally coloured yarns with complex hues, all without the use of dyes. Each year yields a slightly different outcome or range, truly shaped by the nature of each season.

After ongoing creative exchanges, we had the opportunity to visit Brenda, Skyler, and Emma on their farm in Chesley, Ontario, last month. What started as a simple connection during the pandemic—when I came across an article Brenda had written about her experience as a Chinese-Canadian farmer—has since evolved into a beautiful collaboration. Her story resonated deeply with me, as someone with my own Chinese heritage, also drawn to the sustainable practices on their farm and the beautiful wool they were cultivating.

During our visit, we saw our first collaborative project to come to life: a collection of hand-crafted toques, designed by DLB and made by Brenda.  Each toque features Black Sheep Farm’s stunning, naturally coloured wool from the Romney/Gotland cross sheep that Black Sheep Farm raises, spun by Wave Fibre Mill in Ontario. These toques are individually knitted by Brenda in her own home, giving each piece a personal touch.

SHOP TOQUES HERE

Witnessing the care and dedication Brenda and Skyler put into raising their sheep and producing their wool has been both humbling and inspiring and we’re excited to continue this collaboration into the future.