What is Twin Mountain Farm?
The Mountain and the Land
Twin Mountain Farm encompasses approximately 3,000 acres along the crest of Patterson Creek Mountain in northeastern West Virginia, extending nearly six miles along the ridgeline. The land’s elevation, soil, and climate have long made it well suited to agriculture, and its scale reflects more than a century of continuous working use rather than planned development. Though now best known as a cattle operation, the farm’s earlier identity was shaped by fruit growing, which defined both the landscape and the local economy for generations.
The Orchard Era
Beginning in the late nineteenth century and continuing through the early twentieth century, much of what is now Twin Mountain Farm operated as Twin Mountain Orchards and Chert Mountain Orchards. During this period, the land was owned and worked by members of the Miller and Leatherman families, who were among the principal orchard operators on Twin Mountain. Thousands of apple trees were planted across the slopes and plateaus, and the orchards produced fruit for both regional and national markets. The operation became a significant employer in the area and was closely tied to the Twin Mountain and Potomac Railroad, constructed to transport apples and other goods off the mountain before its abandonment in the 1920s.
Decline and Transition
By the mid twentieth century, orchard production on Twin Mountain had begun to decline. Aging trees, disease, and changing market conditions reduced yields, and maintaining large commercial orchards became increasingly difficult. Portions of the land fell out of intensive use, and ownership interests changed over time as the orchard era gradually came to a close. By the 1980s, much of the property reflected the remains of a once extensive agricultural enterprise in need of reinvestment and a new direction.
A New Agricultural Direction
When Scott Humphrey and his wife, Pat, acquired the property at auction in 1986, they inherited not only thousands of acres of land but also the legacy of the Miller and Leatherman orchard operations that had shaped it for decades. Rather than attempting to revive large-scale fruit production, Scott chose to adapt the land to cattle grazing, a use better suited to the terrain and long-term stewardship of the property. Over time, aging and diseased apple trees were removed, fencing and water systems were installed, and pastures were restored through a gradual and deliberate process.
Continuity of Management
Since 1986, daily operations at Twin Mountain Farm have been overseen by Ronnie Bollinger, whose long tenure has provided stability and continuity as the farm evolved. Under this management, Twin Mountain became an integral part of a broader agricultural system, working in coordination with Kane Manor Farm in Virginia. Calves raised at Kane Manor are brought to Twin Mountain after weaning, where the extensive acreage supports their development as feeder cattle or replacement heifers.
Historic Residences
Twin Mountain Farm includes fourteen historic residences, most dating to the early twentieth century and originally constructed to support orchard operations and seasonal labor during the Miller and Leatherman ownership years. These homes remain in limited use today. Occupants are responsible for interior maintenance, while the farm manages exterior care, roads, and surrounding land, preserving the historic character of the property while maintaining its primary agricultural purpose.
The Farm Today
Today, Twin Mountain Farm remains a working landscape shaped by successive eras of agricultural use. Under Scott Humphrey’s ownership, the property has remained intact, productive, and largely free from development pressures. Its continued operation reflects respect for the orchard legacy established by the Miller and Leatherman families and a practical adaptation to modern cattle farming, ensuring that the land remains actively managed and preserved for future generations.