Shepherd of the Year Recipient

2019 Shepherds of the Year: Marla and Andrew Keller

Posted: February 12, 2020

Both Marla and Andrew grew up on their family’s farms learning to properly care for sheep along with other assorted farm animals. They helped with daily chores around the farm, were active in 4-H, and showed their sheep at fairs. They were married in 2014 and soon after bought Vista

2020 Shepherd of the Year: Ron Allen

Posted: March 19, 2021

The Maryland Sheep Breeders Association’s Shepherd of the Year for 2020 was posthumously awarded to Ron Allen. Ron was a long time MSBA member, supporter, Festival Committee stalwart, and devoted shepherd of his Clun Forest flock. Ron died August 8, 2020 at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore of a

2021 Shepherd of the Year: Denise Ziegler

Posted: October 26, 2021

2018 Shepherds of the Year: Jeff and Jan White

Posted: June 4, 2019

This year’s award celebrates a couple who have steadfastly demonstrated the courageous understanding that farming generally, and shepherding specifically, entails an ongoing process of trial and error—by being always open to jumping in, learning from direct experience, as well as actively seeking and being receptive to advice from others, and

2017 Shepherd of the Year: Geof Ruppert

Posted: June 4, 2019

This year’s Shepherd of the Year winner is highly respected regionally, nationally and known internationally. He has been a pioneer in restoring his sheep breed’s genetics through careful breed selection and the use of AI with imported breed semen. While conducting this restoration, he has brought a great deal of