In September of 2023, my husband Ken and I took a leap of faith and purchased 188 acres in Potter Valley, California. Our little mini cows needed more room to roam, and our hearts were ready for something bigger.

The ranch sits right off Highway 20, and that sparked the perfect name — Highland 20. A little play on words, blending our love for Highlands with the highway that brought us there. Before long, it naturally shortened to H20, which felt just right. Clean. Simple. Ours.

Our herd began humbly — just three Highlands from the Rolling hills of Idaho:

* Mootilda, who arrived pregnant

* Her daughter, Fiona

* And our big, gentle bull, Diesel

We had no idea how much these mini cows would teach us.

One of our most unforgettable moments came when Mootilda had her baby girl, Hazel. Hazel wouldn’t nurse, and as any cattle owner knows, that’s a scary place to be. Without hesitation, Ken climbed right into the chute. With determination, patience, and guidance from our wonderful mentor Nancy Chaffin, he got that baby nursing in no time. It was one of those moments that reminds you why you do this — the teamwork, the learning curve, the pure relief when it all works out.

Since then, we’ve put plenty of miles on the truck. We’ve taken road trips all over the western states searching for the perfect cows, the right bloodlines, and the most beautiful colors. Our pastures now shine with black, brindle, red, yellow, and white Highlands. Each one has its own personality, its own charm.

Highlands are like potato chips — you truly can’t have just one.

What started as three has now grown to nineteen. And with growth comes decisions. We’ve reached the point where we will start selling a few — not because we love them any less, but because a healthy ranch means balance. It’s bittersweet but a necessity.

They are all happy, spoiled cows. Shake a grain bucket and you’ll see a fluffy parade come running across the pasture.

When we first bought the ranch, there were no fences. Not one. We’ve worked hard fencing pastures, and we’re still building and rotating them into fresh grazing areas. It’s been — and continues to be — a lot of work. But good work. Honest work.

We’re blessed with a big, beautiful barn that stores our hay and serves as a safe place to welcome calves into the world. Each new birth reminds us how far we’ve come since that first September.

Highland 20 isn’t just a ranch.


It’s long days, sore muscles, dusty boots, and grateful hearts.


It’s lessons learned from tiny calves and wise mentors.


It’s road trips, fencing projects, grain buckets, and laughter.

It’s where our dream found room to grow. 💚🐂