Our Cheyenne River Buffalo Ranch is located in the shadows of the Black Hills National Forest - our local "purple mountain majesty", rising up about thirty miles to the west.
To the east are the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, and as the crow flies ten miles beyond...
They roll into the rugged terrain of Badlands National Park and the waving prairies of the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Vistas of these lands can be seen from the ranch...
with Strong Hold Table prominently placed as a sentinel.
We are separated from these lands by the Cheyenne River, an import waterway that nurtures so much of the prairie grasslands. Without pictures, one would imagine these lands to be some of America’s most beautiful, and I can assure you, that they are.
The prairie grasslands that sit between these national landmarks are open and vast, and beautiful in their subtle simplicity. They are also prime “Buffalo Country”.
For years though, humans have been trying to tame these wild grasslands and make them a “proper garden” of wheat, corn and soybean.
These annual crops can't thrive in arid landscapes, unless they are genetically modified. Many of these attempts over the years have left the soil degraded and depleted of native flora and fauna.
In our efforts of regenerating the prairies, while improving our environment and food supply, we have also made America just a little more beautiful.
The two photos immediately above is the transformation of a degraded pasture after 13 years of replanting native seed and regenerative practices. Looking good... right! Another testament of the beneficial effects of what we eat and the impact it has on America the Beautiful. And… it has all been driven by caring consumers like you.
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend. Jill.
11 comments
Thank you so much for the work you are doing to help restore our land…and for providing healthy, respectfully provided nourishing meat. Photos are beautiful.
The before and after pictures of the pasture give me hope for our planet!
Beautiful photos as always! Thanks for sharing Jill! Best wishes to the O’Brien, Jones and entire WIB family from your friends in South Carolina!
As always, can’t thank you enough for what you are doing. Wish I
could order more.
Preserve this precious land forever….one of a kind wide open space…..spectacular!!!! Would love to see in person one day!!! Wish I had when I lived in Omaha years ago!! God Bless!!
So appreciative of what you are doing to restore health to the earth up there in South Dakota! Thank you thank you thank you!
These pictures are fantastic! I am sure there is a Meadow Lark in there somewhere singing Spring into being. Thanks. I see the Old Bull in the last picture. Keep the Dreams coming.
I applaud your story and your thoughtful, intelligent, transformative work. I know buying Wild Idea meat supports that work, but I’m eating a lot less meat these days. Is there a charitable avenue for small donors? A foundation? As a small donor, I’m considering supporting your work by just sending you a check, regardless of such financial structures. Would that cause problems I haven’t anticipated? If not, I urge other supporters to consider it too.
Love your photography and updated info on what you all are doing on the ranch. Thank you!!!
Your stewardship and dedication are aweinspiring. I would love to visit some spring day! Take care.