| January 31, 2001 Bison ranch brings back the past to insure the future Since the inception of the December 12,1997 Feasibility Study, those involved with the Bison Project at a farm near Muscoda, WI have sought to develop the property into a quality multi-purpose facility, with a productive organic farm and bison ranch. The property, which is currently the home to a buffalo herd exceeding 125 head, is also used to encourage and promote education, health, fitness and greater environmental awareness. The Bison Project is a significant part of the Nation's long range diabetes treatment, education and prevention program. The bison herd, upon reaching a size of 1000 animals, will provide tribal members adequate quantities of healthy, nutritional alternatives to commercially processed, chemically altered meats. The animal itself is culturally important to Indian Peoples across the country and has brought back to the Nation a practical use for the farm properties acquired in 1994. In addition to maintaining the herd, workers at the ranch have been involved in many other projects. Past work has included: The development of trails for horseback riding and hiking, the creation of archery ranges, canoe trails, primitive campsites. In addition the preservation of the effigy/burial mounds and wildlife habitats serve as instructional tools for Ho-Chunk youth. The annual Youth Summer Workshop has made the ranch its permanent home. Project Manager, Cecil Garvin recently listed the updated goals and objectives of the Bison Project and the 640-acre ranch. Short Range Goal: To develop the project to maximum capabilities. The project currently provides available meat to the Tribal Aging Unit, Youth Services, diabetic families and individuals in cooperation with the Health Department's Diabetes Prevention Team, pow-wows and special events hosted by other departments. Current activities and attractions include: * Bison Tours All community members currently have access to this unique project on a year-round, seven-day/week basis. While school children have been frequent visitors to the grounds, a visitor/tourism center will be proposed serving as a gift shop and retail meat sales point. It is thought that in the future bison meat can be profitably incorporated into the casino restaurant menus and be available to the public and casino patrons as a healthy, rich in iron, organically raised, low-fat and low cholesterol Native raised meat product. The Nation currently lacks the quantity of bison meat needed to sell the product through casino restaurants. At the current rate of herd development the quantity needed would not be available until the year 2004-2005. A Wildlife Educational Facility will also be proposed. Natural habitat enclosures will be constructed to harbor native Wisconsin wildlife unable to be released back into the wild. Education will focus on animals and their relation to our environment, general care, habits etc. Members of the Wisconsin Department of Natural resources and the USDA have offered their help with this project. Intermediate Goal: To attain a bison herd size greater than 1000 to serve as an introduction to test markets in various endeavors and to continue to provide healthy meat for tribal use. Until the acquisition of additional acres at the Badger Munitions Plant, the maximum herd size will be 300 head. This will involve utilization of the nation's agricultural lands that are suitable for establishment of a grazing range. These lands will serve as holding facilities for young bulls enabling them to access quality organic feed without competition from the remaining herd. In turn, this move alleviates the demand on the grazing lands at Muscoda for the larger breeding stock. It also allows continuation of forage restoration without exhausting or overgrazing the supply. In the absence of Ho-Chunk grazing lands the Business Department will analyze the cost factors involved in presenting to the public this special selection of a healthful meat. The Bison Project staff will research contracts or memorandum of agreements that can be effected with member tribes of the Intertribal Bison Cooperative to insure an adequate supply of select bison cut meats. The research will include the supply of meat available through the organic operations of the members of the Wisconsin Bison Producers Association and members of the National Bison Association in nearby states of the same organic status. The Bison Project staff will also research contract and agreement options for the qualified processing and transport of meat products in accordance with all applicable health standards and regulatory requirements. Long Range Goal: To manage a free roaming herd in the Kickapoo Valley region in cooperation with the Wisconsin Tourism Board, Department of Natural Resources, local governments and the municipalities of the area. The accomplishment of this goal will indicate the full realization of the maximum bison capacity on Ho-Chunk lands. A herd of greater than 2000 bison under tribal management will realize not only the return on cash investment but a return on a cultural connection that can propel the nation into a leadership role as a pro-environmental government. The following procedures are in place as the Nation prepares to move forward in a non-gaming enterprise.
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