Rooted in Family, Community, and the Beauty of Mason County
Mt. Lawley Farms began as a homecoming dream between two brothers with deep Kentucky roots — a vision to honor family, celebrate the beauty of Mason County, and create a place where people can come together.
For brothers Rusty and Todd Muse, the rolling hills of Kentucky were never far away, even as life and careers carried them across the country — and around the world. The land, the small-town spirit and the memories rooted in Mason County remained a constant part of who they were.
When the opportunity arose to purchase the property that would become Mt. Lawley Farms, it felt less like a business decision and more like a calling back to the place that shaped their family story.
That story includes their father, Russell Muse Jr., who grew up in nearby Lewisburg. As a boy, he rode the school bus each day down Helena Road on the way to Mayslick High School, passing the very land where Mt. Lawley Farms now stands.
Years later, his sons would return to those same rolling hills with a vision of creating something lasting for the community and future generations.
The original dream was simple: plant sour cherry trees and build an orchard.
But after stepping onto the property, the brothers’ vision grew like tree roots in rich Kentucky soil. Taking in the panoramic views of the Kentucky countryside, feeling the calm of the open space ease their shoulders, the brothers began to see the promise for a place where people could gather, celebrate and reconnect.
Today, Mt. Lawley Farms spans 84 scenic acres filled with orchards, walking spaces and thoughtfully designed gathering areas.
Ducks and geese glide across Lake Farrah. The elegant Farmhouse, developed from the original Amish-built structure, offers spaces for celebration at the heart of the property with an elevated farmhouse aesthetic. Attached, the Thomas Event Center is a sun-filled 3,300-square-foot venue.
The Muse brothers created Mt. Lawley Farms to host weddings, retreats, celebrations and community events that feel welcoming, intimate and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape.
The farm’s growing partnerships with local artisans, beekeepers, and makers reflect a shared belief that community is best cultivated together.
What began as two brothers’ Kentucky homecoming story has grown into a gathering place where new stories unfold with every season and celebration.
Todd Muse grew up under the wide Kentucky sky and graduated from Maysville High School in 1985 before heading to Eastern Kentucky University. After raising a family and building a career in project management across South Florida and Eastern Tennessee, he felt the pull of home once again. In 2023, Todd returned to Maysville, bringing decades of experience in design and construction to help shape the vision of Mt. Lawley Farms.
Today, he serves as Project Manager, overseeing everything from the farm’s ongoing development and maintenance to the daily operations of the Thomas Event Center. Todd is the steady hand behind the scenes, connecting people, services and ideas as Mt. Lawley Farms continues to grow and flourish.
Born and raised in Maysville, Dr. Rusty Muse has carried Kentucky memories with him throughout a remarkable career in veterinary medicine. After graduating from Maysville High School, he earned degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana State University before pursuing specialty training in veterinary dermatology. His work has since spanned continents, guiding clinics across the U.S. and Australia as Medical Director of the Animal Outpatient Specialty Network and earning him the American College of Veterinary Dermatology Award of Excellence for leadership and innovation in his field.
No matter how far his work has taken him, Rusty’s heart has always pointed home. Mt. Lawley Farms is the realization of that pull—a return to his Kentucky roots and a new chapter built on care, connection and community. Here, the same dedication that shaped his career now shapes a place where family, friends and guests can slow down and feel at home.
Ali was born and raised in Orange County, California. He graduated summa cum laude from Washington University (St. Louis) with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He then went to and graduated from Medical School at St George’s University in Grenada before heading back to California to practice. Dr. Mor is board certified in family medicine and currently works for Kaiser Permanente Health Group. Ali has been coming to Maysville and Mason County for the last 15 years and fell in love with the area and will be continuing to spend more time in the area over the coming years.
Growing up with a Persian background, he was introduced to sour cherries (albaloo) and sour plums (goje) from an early age and always dreamed of having an orchard of these trees. Mt. Lawley farms is the realization of this dream. He is committed to bringing new experiences and foods to the area and has been instrumental in planning this venture from the start. He is hopeful that everyone who comes to Mt. Lawley farms will take away new and amazing memories of the visit.
