Meet Mercedes & Aldus
How a Utah Girl and a Washington Boy Ended Up in Virginia.
We met in 2019 while attending Southern Virginia University. After graduating, we moved to Utah and were married in 2022. For a few years, life looked the way we expected it would—a master's degree in Financial Planning, careers in finance and interior design, and a home of our own in Salt Lake City. We had always loved Virginia, visiting Mercedes’ family property in Waynesboro whenever we could, and we even talked about moving back someday when we retired.
Just six months after buying our home in Utah, former Cyrus Ridge Owners Ben and Melanie approached us about purchasing the farm. At first, it felt crazy. Then it felt impossible. Then God began working on us. The Shenandoah Valley, the Highland cows, and the slower pace of life kept drawing us back. After weeks of prayer and countless conversations, we realized this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.
Despite not having an agricultural background, we were honored to continue the legacy Ben and Melanie had built. We committed ourselves to learning everything we could—caring for the herd, stewarding the farm, and serving the families who share our love for these remarkable animals.It hasn’t always been easy. Building a new life in Virginia, learning the rhythms of farming, and raising Highland cattle has come with its share of challenges. But through it all, we’ve never doubted that this is our home and our calling.
A Place That Already Felt Like Home
The Shenandoah Valley is absolutely majestic. It still takes our breath away to watch the sun rise over the Blue Ridge Mountains, and we're lucky that Cyrus Ridge sits in the middle of all that beauty. From the very beginning, it felt like home.
The more time we spent with Highland cattle, the more we understood why so many people fall in love with them. Every animal is different, and spending time with them reminds us to appreciate the simple things and to slow down.
We want everyone who visits Cyrus Ridge to experience a little of what we felt when we made Virginia our home. The Highlands belong here, and it's hard to imagine these rolling pastures without them.
Where the Name Comes From
When the farm began, two remarkable Highland bulls formed the beginning of the herd: Cyrus and Ridge. Their names became part of our story and, ultimately, the name of our farm.
Cyrus is an ancient name meaning "lord," and the Ridge represents the beautiful land the Lord led us to. Together, the name Cyrus Ridge is a daily reminder of both the animals that started this journey and the gratitude we feel for where it has led us.
Quality Animals. Quality People.
From the beginning, the mission at Cyrus Ridge has been straightforward: raise Scottish Highland cattle with exceptional genetics and gentle temperaments, and make that accessible to families and farms of every size. Whether you're here to buy a calf, book a tour, or just learn what this breed is all about, we built this place for you. We're still a little nervous, still learning, and having the time of our lives doing it.
