Highland House Farm Stay

Highland House Farm Stay offers guests the opportunity to see and interact with Ray and Janet’s Highland cattle, the oldest registered fold of Highland cattle in the United States. The registered Highland herd is known as Shat Acres, named by Ray’s grandfather Arthur Shatney who began the farm in Greensboro Bend, Vermont in 1915, raising Ayrshire dairy cattle.  In 1904 Arthur married Winona Orcutt, a member of the Abenaki Nation. Ray and Janet are honored to farm and steward land once farmed by Ray’s Native American ancestors.

Highland House sits on land previously owned by the Koasek (Cowasuck) tribe, adjacent to the Highlands’ pasture, where you will witness regenerative agriculture and humane animal care. Highlands, with their majestic long hair and long horns are more docile than other bovine breeds and enjoy being in relationship with humans. Your Highland House Farm Stay can include petting and combing a cow or calf, assisting with morning or afternoon chores, or other farm tasks such as checking fence lines, as desired.

Highland House is a brand new (2022) two-story, three-bedroom, two-and-a- half-bath house with exquisite views of the Vermont Worcester Range and New York Adirondacks. There are two porches, looking out onto the cattle pastures and the barn. The house is fully furnished and sleeps six. A waffle iron, waffle fixings and Vermont maple syrup are included if you would like waffles for your breakfast.

Highland House is located in Plainfield, Vermont, right in the middle of the State. It is 10 miles from the capital, Montpelier, and 45 miles from Burlington and Lake Champlain. The Ben and Jerry’s factory is 20 miles away, and several ski areas, including Stowe and Killington are an hour or less away. The Northeast Kingdom has several food related venues, including Hill’s Farm Brewery, Jasper Hill Cheese, and Pete’s Greens organic vegetables.

Ray and Janet raise their prize-winning Highland cattle to sell as breeding stock throughout the US and have won numerous Grand Champion awards at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO. Highland cattle are a beef breed, the ancient Heritage bovines dating back to the 16th century. Ray and Janet’s heart-healthy, humanely raised 100% Grass Fed and Finished beef is sold as Greenfield Highland Beef. All Greenfield Highland beef is Conception to Consumption: born, raised, and sold within 40 miles of Ray and Janet’s farm. A Farm Stay at Highland House allows you to be part of history, communing with the oldest registered fold of Highlands in the US and respecting and caring for Vermont’s working lands and ancient native territory.