Rockie Hill Bison: A Family Legacy

The latest news from Ron & T of The Buffalo Wool Co. at RATH Ranch. Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more

Happy Bison Month!! It's Second Sunday again!

I really want that to catch on, I don't know about you, but I am moving slowly this Monday morning...could use a day of rest, but we all know that isn't gonna happen. Feeling every bit of what we did around here this weekend. Got that hide in the tanning solution, got the tire fixed on the tractor, figure out our winter hay situation, and got a bunch of food freeze dried for the AK trip.. 6 weeks this year, and eating out is expensive. Hopefully we will catch some fish to supplement things.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend, back at the desk here, and I am questioning my own poor life choice to keep doing these daily... being completely honest, it's been a fair bit of work, but fun. Got a good one today. It's gonna be short... was late getting to the desk.

Hope you have a truly great day!

Ron & T, and the crew here at the BWC

From a friend, and yes, I laughed...

The Card Game That Changed Everything

The Story of Dave and Gail Griffin and Rockie Hill Bison

High on the scenic bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River near Winona, Minnesota, a herd of bison grazes peacefully across rolling pastures. This is Rockie Hill Bison, home to Dave and Gail Griffin — a couple whose unlikely journey into bison ranching began not with a grand plan, but with a game of cards they weren’t even playing. In the early 1990s, Dave and Gail bought a farm in Winona. Dave ran an excavating company, and Gail worked as a Registered Dietitian at Winona Health. They were already busy raising dairy bulls for Dave’s father while juggling full-time careers. Life was full, but something was about to shift. A cement supplier Dave worked with had just won a small herd of bison in a card game in Iowa. He told Dave, “Any contractor who has a farm needs some buffalo.” That casual suggestion sparked something. In 1992, Dave bought three bison. Rockie Hill Bison was born.“Since the day the first three were delivered to the farm, we have never regretted that decision,” Gail and Dave often say.

Roots That Ran Deep

For Gail, bison weren’t entirely new. She grew up on a ranch in Montana, where her family’s land bordered Yellowstone National Park. As a child, she watched wild bison roaming the mountains with her father. Those memories stayed with her, and she often wishes he could have seen the herd she and Dave built in Minnesota. Dave brought practical skills from his excavating business and a willingness to learn.

Together, they dove into the bison world in the 1990s, becoming active in both the Minnesota Bison Association and the National Bison Association. Gail would go on to serve as Executive Director of the Minnesota Bison Association for 18 years and even as president of the National Bison Association — roles that reflected her deep commitment to the industry and the friendships it created.

Building a Family Operation

What started with three animals grew into a thriving, hands-on ranch. Dave and Gail have always been the primary operators. Their grandson Spencer began working summers on the farm as a teenager and joined them full-time in 2020. Today, the three of them run everything together.

“There are no strictly defined roles,” they explain. “We all pitch in.” Dave and Spencer handle most of the fencing, haying, and equipment work, while Gail manages the record-keeping, bookkeeping, and sales. The entire family shares a deep love for the animals and the land.The herd size has varied with pasture conditions, but they currently run around 55 adult bison. The animals graze year-round on rotational pasture across more than 110 acres. Processing happens at a USDA-inspected plant just 30 miles away, and the Griffins keep the entire journey from birth to plate under 80 miles — a commitment to quality and low stress for the animals.

A Philosophy Centered on the Animal

From the beginning, Dave and Gail’s decisions have been guided by one simple principle: let the animal thrive.They do not dehorn their bison, believing the horns are important for natural behaviors and even help with temperature regulation. They focus on rotational grazing, animal welfare, and continuous learning. Through the state and national bison associations, they’ve built lifelong friendships and gained knowledge by openly sharing both successes and mistakes with other producers across North America.Gail’s background as a dietitian adds another layer — she loves promoting bison as a delicious, nutritious, lean red meat option to the local community.

Stewardship of the Land

The Griffins’ care extends beyond the herd to the land itself. In 2020–2021, they partnered with the Xerces Society, NRCS, and FSA to restore over 20 acres of former Conservation Reserve Program land into a diverse tallgrass prairie. Working with native seed experts, they planted a rich mix of 57 plant species — grasses, sedges, and wildflowers — chosen for their value to bison, pollinators, and soil health.A prescribed burn and careful planting brought the prairie back to life. Today, those acres are lush with native plants, supporting bees, butterflies, and future bison forage. It’s a beautiful example of how responsible ranching and conservation can work hand in hand.

Sharing Their Bounty

Rockie Hill Bison is known for producing exceptional breeding stock. They’ve been named Producer of the Year at the Minnesota Bison Association’s annual fall auction an impressive 12 times in the last 15 years.They’ve also sold high-quality bison meat locally since 2002 — to restaurants, home cooks, schools, and even the local hospital. Customers can email orders and pick up frozen cuts at the farm, or Gail delivers to commercial accounts. They offer a wide variety of cuts and happily accommodate special requests.Proud members of Minnesota Grown for over 22 years, the Griffins have built their business the old-fashioned way — through word of mouth, quality products, and genuine relationships. (You can follow them on Facebook at Griffin's Rockie Hill Bison.)

A Legacy of Passion and Community

More than three decades after that first card-game-inspired purchase, Dave and Gail Griffin are still deeply in love with bison ranching. They’ve raised a family that shares their values, contributed decades of leadership to the bison community, restored native prairie, and produced some of the best genetics and meat in the region.Their story is one of serendipity, hard work, lifelong learning, and deep respect — for the animals, the land, and the people who make up the bison family. As Gail puts it, the bison world is special because producers openly share knowledge so everyone can succeed. Dave and Gail have lived that spirit for more than 30 years.