Mountain Top Angus

Today marks a major milestone in my life! On this day June 10th in 1995 I started my first official business (yes I was 12 years old). I had always shown sheep in 4-H with the help and guidance of My grandfather and Aunt Mary, but on this day I wanted something new. I wanted to have Polled Dorset sheep, so my grandfather gave me the okay, with one stipulation. I had to make all the decisions, work, and financial sacrifices. So I bought my first ram and two ewes on June 10, 1995 and officially started my first business Wilfong Dorsets. 11 years later Wilfong Dorsets had grown into one of the top Polled Dorset Flocks in the Untied States and our genetics were in at least 3/4 of the states in the US. But little did I know that the man above was going to call my hero home and forever change my life. Grandpa went to supervise from the heavens, but my life soon changed. I was no longer able to keep my flock on my grandpas farm, so I dispersed them in their entirety to a family in Arkansas thus ending Wilfong Dorsets. I was faced with a huge life decision, what do I do now? I can quit! Or I can start over! I decided to make a new start and make one of my grandpa's dreams hopefully become reality (he really always wanted me to be a cattleman) I started Mountain Top Angus in the fall of 2006, and began building a Registered Angus Operation just as my grandpa had many times told me he would loved to have done. With no doubt I pushed ahead with many obstacles and negativity I refused to let it get the best of me. So many people discouraged me told me I would fail and that what I was doing could not be done. I look back on those people and realize that most was a result of jealousy, unfortunately part of society doesn't want others to succeed or be seen as a success. I had to start with absolutely noting, no land, no cattle, no equipment, and very little money. I dove in head first and borrowed hundreds of thousands of dollars to make it come alive. Begged and pleaded with landowners to let me lease their farms. As of today Mountain Top Angus owns in its entirety the full line of equipment to operate, as well as the 200 cows and 100 yearlings, running on 3500 acres of leased land in Pocahontas County, WV. We will be joining forces this fall to have our cattle in a join effort production sale the Southern Excellence Bull Sale in Wadley, AL.To all those that wished failure, I'm sorry for your wasted time, I succeeded! As I sit here today its hard to hold back tears just wondering what would grandpa think of me today? Well sir I dedicate this 20 year anniversary to you and your wisdom, kindness, and everlasting love and willingness to help me, and make me the man I am today! And to everyone else that has stood beside me through thick and thin, hard times and the good. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.