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

Happy Bison Month!! We made it to the Weekend!

Hope you had a wonderful week, things here are good, we got a fair bit done... still working on some fun stuff. We have more socks en route from Nester, and will have all sizes of B.o.s.s back in stock soon.. I can put them in stock now, they should ship out Monday/Tuesday. These guys are doing excellent work... really love working with them. Extremely happy with the new run of LG and Med Yellowstones, much softer finishing, swapped out the brown nylon for merino wool in the graphic, not as sharp, but much softer, and actually sized correctly. (still waiting on the small and XL in the new run)

So, other than that, we are pretty much packed up for the AK Fair, and getting our fishing plans together... Dad, middle daughter and youngest granddaughter are coming up this year, the plan is we are gonna go hang out with our friends at SleepyBaySalmon, because they are great people, so that's gonna be fun. Will also visit our musher friends at Snowhook Adventures, and a heck of a lot more friends... so many wonderful people we get to see.

In the meantime, I am tanning a hide here myself, it's been a fun project, started it with the Grands at NanaCamp, but since they left.. it's just me working on it now, still have a fair bit to do. Hopefully will get it done quickly, it's a fair bit of work.

We have also quit shipping to California with their new texile recycling laws. I did get interviewed about this yesterday...they won't even tell you what the actual cost for this program is, just that it starts with a $1000 registration fee. This is a whole crazy thing, there is a 17 state lawsuit pending, as this really looks like it violates the interstate commerce act. So, at least for now, we can't ship to California, I am sorry.

Also, Isaac is working on turning all these stories into blog posts, I feel like there has been a moderate amount of work done, and I hate to lose it all after this month is over.

It has been a lot of fun writing these.. just not so much at 3:00 am like today ... gonna try to get some more written ahead of time, it's too early to be focusing on punctuation and spelling. So forgive me if there are errors, it's early, and I haven't had enough coffee yet.

Hope you have a truly great day!

Ron & T, and the crew here at the BWC

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

Lou Diamond Phillips roams with bison in his Oklahoma-made movie 'Gangland'

From the El Reno Tribune

The harrowing crime drama "Gangland," formerly titled "Keep Quiet," filmed in central Oklahoma in early 2024

Mary Adams: A Legacy of Passion, Perseverance, and Excellence in the Bison Industry

Mary Adams of Adams Natural Meats stands as a respected leader and inspiring figure in the American bison industry. Through dedication, innovation, and a deep love for these majestic animals, she has built a thriving business that delivers premium, grass-fed bison products while honoring the legacy of her late husband, Bryan Adams. Her journey—from a small herd in Colorado to multi-state operations and leadership on the National Bison Association (NBA) Board of Directors—exemplifies the spirit of resilience and community that defines bison ranchers.Roots in the Bison WorldMary’s story with bison began when she married Bryan Adams. He had already started a small herd after acquiring his first three bison calves (two heifers and a bull) in 1992 through a unique trade: he provided dynamite blasting services for a new home basement in exchange for the animals from Paul Jonjak of Blue Mountain Bison in Colorado.

Bryan carried his farming roots forward, and in 1997, he and Mary moved the growing herd from Colorado to Arizona. There, they established Arizona Buffalo Company, which later evolved into Adams Natural Meats. They focused on improving the herd’s genetics by sourcing superior animals from major sales and shows, including the GTSS (Golden Triangle Select Sale), Northwest Bison Sale, and the Western Bison Association Show and Sale—which Bryan and Mary helped establish alongside other industry pioneers. Animals were also brought in from Canada, steadily building a stronger, more productive herd.

Building a Business Grounded in Quality and Care

Early on, the couple turned their passion into a full business by processing and selling bison meat. They started small—with a walk-in freezer in their garage—promoting products at gourmet grocery stores and even flipping bison burgers on weekends. As demand grew, they hired Kristen McGuire in a full-time marketing and sales role, Kristen remains a key team member and stellar bison salesperson. They incorporated Adams Natural Meats to handle sales and branded their Arizona ranch as Adams Acres.

The vision expanded further. In 2006, they purchased a second home in Colorado. When additional land became available, they grew Adams Acres into Evergreen, Colorado, and opened a second retail store there in December 2018. Today, Adams Natural Meats operates country markets and ranches in both Buckeye, Arizona (20715 W. Beloat Road) and Evergreen, Colorado, offering a full line of grass-fed, grass-finished bison products—ground meat, patties, steaks, roasts, sausages, and more—along with elk and grass-fed Angus beef in some offerings.Mary and Bryan’s philosophy has always centered on humane, natural raising practices. They avoid hormones, stimulants, and routine antibiotics, producing high-quality meat that is leaner, lower in fat and calories, higher in protein, and more versatile than conventional beef. Their motto, “Striving for Excellence… Growing With Pride,” reflects their commitment to the animals and to educating consumers about bison’s many benefits.

Challenges, Growth, and Perseverance.

Like many in the industry, Mary and her team faced significant hurdles, including processing disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through perseverance and strong relationships, they emerged stronger, with stores continuing to flourish and sales reaching new heights. Today, their combined herds across Arizona and Colorado total around 150 bison. The Colorado operation has produced GTSS trophy winners, including Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion females in recent years. Production animals are often sourced as calves or yearlings from reputable NBA and Rocky Mountain Bison Association member ranches, as well as the City of Denver auctions.Mary continues to market their products across Arizona, Colorado, and through social media and direct sales, proudly putting premium, grass-fed bison in front of the public every day.

Leadership in the National Bison Association

Mary’s commitment extends far beyond her own ranches. She has served as the Region 1 Director on the National Bison Association Board of Directors, contributing her experience and perspective to advance the industry as a whole. In this role, she helped shape strategy, support fellow producers, and promote bison awareness nationwide—embodying the “bison family” ethos she often speaks about.

A Personal Reflection: Serving Alongside Mary on the NBA Board

As someone who had the privilege of serving with Mary on the NBA Board of Directors, I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of my time on the board. I loved every moment of working alongside her. Mary brought wisdom, warmth, and an unwavering passion for bison to every discussion. Her practical insights from decades of hands-on ranching, combined with her collaborative spirit and genuine care for the broader industry, made her an invaluable colleague and friend.She listened thoughtfully, shared openly, and always kept the focus on what truly matters: the animals, the producers, and growing public appreciation for this incredible protein source. Her dedication to honoring Bryan’s legacy while moving the industry forward was inspiring. Serving with Mary wasn’t just productive—it was genuinely enjoyable and enriching. Her positive energy and deep knowledge made board meetings more meaningful and helped foster the sense of community that makes the NBA so special.

Looking Ahead

Mary Adams continues to lead Adams Natural Meats with the same dedication that has defined her journey. She remains committed to raising healthy bison, delivering exceptional products, and strengthening the bison community through her NBA leadership.Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passion meets perseverance. Whether you’re a longtime bison enthusiast, a curious consumer, or someone considering entering the industry, Mary’s example shows the rewards of treating these magnificent animals with respect and building something lasting together.Visit Adams Natural Meats at their Arizona or Colorado locations, or explore their products online at www.adamsnaturalmeats.com. Support local bison producers like Mary and help spread the word about this healthy, sustainable, and delicious red meat alternative.

Mary, thank you for your leadership, your friendship, and everything you’ve done for the bison world. It was an absolute pleasure serving alongside you.