Stories
Restore, Regenerate, Reclaim
There is an 80-acre patch of ground in the center of our buffalo ranch that sometime in the past was plowed up and planted with crested wheatgrass. Whether the work was done using modern, John Deere–type equipment or by a couple of guys behind a mule pulling a beat-up harrow, hand-broadcasting seed, I do not know. But I’m pretty sure however it was done, the people that did it believed that they were improving the land.
What We're Learning
Several weeks ago, before we were facing the crude reality of just how fragile humanity is, Jilian and I got the privilege to discuss the importance of ecological balance to our son Lincoln’s, Elementary student body.
The way the COVID-19 pandemic has put the stipulation of citizens depending on other citizens to battle something bigger, took me back to our experience of explaining similar concepts to young children.
Roaming Free
The great outdoors has always been my refuge and even though the setting where I currently reside is beautiful - complete with trees, Bougainvillea and a plethora of birds - I long to roam.
Sharing Our Solitude
I’ve always been pretty good at social distancing. Hell, I’ve been practicing it for sixty years. Writing and ranching are both solitary pursuits, so since college days, I have pretty much lived alone. It has never been unusual to go for days without coming in contact with another human being. But, until the last few weeks, it has mostly been my choice to be alone.
Meet Dan O'Brien
In Part II of our “Meet the Family” video series, Founder and Carbon Cowboy of Wild Idea Buffalo Company, Dan O'Brien shares how he got started in bison ranching, and how he was doing “regenerative agriculture before it was cool.”
The Density of Nutrition
Once again, an article with an overload of information landed on our desks. So – we dove into nutrition (it’s National Nutrition Month), specifically nutrition around protein. This, of course, is subjective depending on what you read or who you talk to, but our resources are noted at the end of this post.
The Heart of Humanity
They say as a country we are divided and that we have dug our heels into what will help each of us personally. Perhaps that is true. But I hear about our division more than I see it.
At the Heart of It
February always make me think of hearts. Originally, because of Valentine’s Day, but in recent years, I’m reminded by the anniversary of the surgery that fixed my own heart. On February 2, 2018, the doctors at Mayo Clinic replaced the faulty valve that had kept me out of the Vietnam War. For 45 winters, I’ve spent at least a week or two on the NM/TX border, usually ending in February, which has become the heart of my year.
Bison, Prairies, and Climate Change
Last month, Dan was an honored speaker at the 19th Annual Edward & Nancy Dodge Lecture presented by Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. During his time there, they sat down with Dan for a Q&A, which was recently released online. We wanted to take this opportunity to share that conversation with you, so we’ve provided a transcript of Dan’s interview where he discussed, "Bison, Prairies and Climate Change".
CAFOs vs. Grass-Fed and Finished
Do you ever feel that your efforts are moving in a “one step forward – two steps back” rhythm? Recently, a few articles landed on our desks. Articles written about CAFOs and industrialized agriculture and articles written on the benefits of grass-fed animals. No one article covers it all and it is the ALL that is important to know.
My Early Christmas "Present"
It’s dark and the snow and wind have been blowing for hours. Many of the windows are covered with snow, creating a tomb like ambience. But, I am safe and warm. I had fallen asleep reading while it was still light out and during that time, the fireplace had shut down. It felt eerie waking in the pitch blackness.
Ghosts of the Great Plains
The Cheyenne River Ranch is located between the Black Hills National Forest and Badlands National Park. This area was a Native stronghold. In "Ghosts of the Great Plains", Dan looks back and explains the history of our area and the Native Americans, and how we are moving forward to heal the land and rebuild relationships by bringing back the buffalo.