Today we’d like to introduce you to Anja LaGrange.
Anja, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am born and raised in Austin but a few years ago moved a little further north to enjoy a little slower paced life and be able to have livestock.
My husband Frank and I started on a smaller property with a flock of chickens as most homesteaders do. Chicken match took hold and we soon had chickens, ducks, peacocks and geese.
We quickly outgrew our 1 acre property and somewhat started looking for something bigger but weren’t in a big rush.
On a rainy day we got a call on a distressed property that checked almost all our boxes in Belton. Our other business is in real estate development so we weren’t afraid of a little hard work to get the property to the potential we saw.
We purchased in May of 2024 and built our coops and moved in by the beginning of July. In September we got our first mini highlands.
Originally we just planned to breed but we discussed ways to bring in extra funds to help with feed costs until the cows were old enough to breed.
Coming from Austin I had often driven an hour plus to take my kids to pick strawberries or visit a pumpkin patch so I got the idea to offer bottle feedings to cuddle our fluffy babies. When we opened bookings we booked out for 6 weeks straight immediately and realized we had something special.
We have since expanded to monthly farmers markets, pumpkin patch, Christmas tree lot, private appointments and date nights, weddings and more.
Now we are opening a coffee shop here so people can come and enjoy the space as well!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles along the way. There is a saying that with live stock comes death stock and unfortunately we have had a few losses along the way.
We are also constantly learning from our events and clients to get ideas for the future.
We still breed and sell as well so there is always some struggle with making sure people understand what they are buying and how to care for them.
We sold two cows to Austin ISD last year for part of the Clint Small Middle School livestock program. We are so excited that they are helping other Austin area kids learn about raising livestock as well!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Highland Acres Homestead & Mini Moos Coffee and Farmstand?
Our coffee shop is opening early April complete with a farmstand as well selling eggs, honey, sourdough and other handmade products produced here at the homestead or at other Texas farms and ranches.
The homestead offers monthly farmers markets the first Saturday of every month as well as private appointments year round. Get a vip experience perfect for dates, birthdays or just because.
We also have car shows, live music a pumpkin patch, tree lot and more throughout the year.
You can meet mini highlands, mini longhorns, alpacas, Valais Blacknose sheep, kunekune pigs, Nigeria dwarf goats and more.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My husband and I have really put along into this. I have three children split with my ex husband in pflugerville that help us when they are here as well.
We love being able to give back to our communities across Central Texas as much as we can!
Pricing:
- $100 for Bottle Feedings for up to 4 people
- $125 for Meet & Greets for up to 4 people
- $250 for a romantic date night
- $175 for a animal consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HighlandAcresTX.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/highlandacrestx
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/highlandacrestx
