About Us
Personal History
Kevin and Connie grew up in a small farming community near Reno, Nevada. Having moved around the country and looking for a place to start a family, they settled down and relocated to Washington in 2001.
In 2022, after getting the last of 3 kids off to college, they decided to leave the corporate life and hustle of the suburbs to return to their agricultural roots. They purchased a small horse ranch in the heart of the Cascade Mountains and began their agribusiness adventure.
They have converted the operations to cattle and hay, choosing to focus on regenerative and green farming practices.
Scottish Highland cattle are integral partners in this change due to their hardiness and efficient foraging ability. They handle the snow and cold climate well.
The couple spend their time outdoors, tending to their plants, animals, and myriad of never-ending farm projects. On slower days they enjoy the nature that the Cascades and local trails have to offer.
Conservation Mindsets
Kevin is a retired engineer by trade. So he is always thinking and trying to make farming easier and more sustainable for the long-term health of the farm.
Connie is also retired. Having raised 3 children. She enjoys farm life, painting, gardening, cooking, and tending to the herd.
After their youngest graduated high school, they found property to move them out of the rat race.
Kevin and Connie slowly started acquiring their breeding fold.
During a recent trip to Scotland to better appreciate the traditional roots of the practice, they got to see the gold standard of highland cattle.
Together Kevin and Connie work hard to maintain their herd and are the stewards of their land.
Our Breeding Standards
The Fortier Highland Ranch is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and responsible farming practices. Our mission is to raise quality AHCA-registered Scottish Highland cattle while preserving the environment for future generations.
We are looking to preserve and grow many of the traditional variations of each unique Highland through ethical breeding practices, Ample room for grazing, and a herd just big enough for our home.
We are a family first and
The AHCA Breeding Standards are the official guidelines that govern how Highland cattle are registered, managed, and bred in the United States. These standards exist to protect breed purity, ensure accurate pedigree records, and promote high-quality genetics within the Highland cattle community.
If you are looking for additional information, all of our practices fall in line with the official AHCA website.
A brief summary of our practices
Breed Integrity & Registration
- Only full-blood Highland cattle with documented pedigree may be entered into the AHCA Herdbook.
- Animals must be sired and dammed by registered Highland cattle (or meet strict import/foreign eligibility rules).
- DNA typing is required for many registrations, especially for bulls, AI (artificial insemination) calves, embryo transfer calves, and where parentage is in question.
- Cloned animals and cryptorchid bulls (with undescended testicles) cannot be registered.
- Certain colors and patterns are recognized, and animals must be properly tattooed with AHCA herd letters and identification marks before registration.
Breeding Practices
- AI and embryo transfer must follow AHCA protocols, including DNA verification of sire, dam, and resulting offspring.
- Parental verification by DNA may be required at AHCA’s discretion to confirm true ancestry
- Crossbred animals with significant Highland influence can be recorded in the Sovereign Registry, a separate classification for animals with 25–75% Highland blood, but these are distinct from full-blood registrations.
Documentation & Ethical Standards
- Accurate, honest records must be maintained by breeders and submitted with all applications.
- AHCA may reject registrations for confusing or inappropriate animal names, incorrect tattoos, or fraudulent documentation.
- AHCA expects ethical conduct: members who fail to adhere to AHCA rules or good breeding practices may face sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.