About Us
The legacy of Ted Westmoreland's hard work, compassion and love for his family continues through his sons, Wes and Jay. They have decided to use of part of their father's Angus farm land to become three family foster homes through Baptist Children's Homes of NC. These homes will be used to transform the lives of countless disadvantaged children in Cleveland county and share with them the hope of Jesus Christ.
Veterinarian Ted Westmoreland began River Hill Angus, a purebred Angus farm in Cleveland County, North Carolina, in 1969. For the next two decades, his two sons, Wes and Jay, enjoyed countless hours working with him at River Hill.
Ted's integrity, eye for evaluating cattle, and dedication to superior genetics helped develop a great reputation for River Hill. The farm became a vital tool for instilling the strong work ethics, entrepreneurial skills, and compassion that he readily taught. The long hours working on the farm brought a respect for labor and an unending family bond.
River Hill Farm gained prominence as Wes and Jay exhibited cattle, first at the Cleveland County Fair and later at state and national exhibitions. One heifer was crowned Grand Champion Bred & Owned at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY, the largest all-breed livestock show in the world, and a bull became sought after by breeders in 44 states and Argentina.
When the purebred farming operation ended, River Hill cattle were donated to three preeminent land grant universities–Clemson, Penn State, and Virginia Tech–to be used to teach the next generation of cattle farmers and veterinarians. The World Angus Headquarters proclaimed the herd to be a "coalition of the strongest Angus genetic seed stock on the North American continent."
Looking back, the lessons Wes and Jay learned from their father on the farm have stuck with them. The most valuable parts were neither the prize money nor the trophies. What mattered the most were the relationships they cultivated and the important life lessons that developed the foundation of their adult lives.
Today, Wes and Jay are successful businessmen and active in a host of charitable endeavors that enhance their communities. They envision the farm being a resource to transform the lives of disadvantaged children so that they will find freedom from the past and learn transformative life lessons to provide hope for the future.
