Garvin explained that there are currently 147 head at the ranch, a number he sees expanding, and remains confident that the herd, a visual reminder of past tradition and culture, will become a profit making enterprise in the future.

The Ho-Chunk Nation joined the InterTribal Bison Cooperative in 1993, when it owned four bison and then, like now, raises and feeds the herd through complete organic farming. Muscoda has developed a prairie and grass restoration program allowing the herd to roam between ten separate pastures at the farm and Garvin stated the bison are not given antibiotics to promote growth, nor are medications often dispensed.

While Garvin is optimistic that in the future the herd can become a successful commercial venture, he added the benefits associated with raising the herd are already evident. In addition to bringing back the Nation’s past, research has shown that bison meat, with its low fat and iron rich content, is a more healthy food for everyone, particularly people suffering from diabetes, who need to keep their fat intake at a minimum. Statistics indicate that a three-ounce serving of bison has less fat, calories and cholesterol than turkey, beef or chicken.

Garvin continued that "while we have never sold a pound of meat", the ranch has donated over 5600 lbs. of bison, meat distributed to elderly feeding sites, youth and community events and pow-wows. The ranch has also provided meat to tribal members, pending a doctor’s approval, suffering from diabetes or living in diabetic households.

Garvin concluded that while the Nation could occasionally include bison on its casino restaurant menus, he would like to increase the size of the herd before doing so. He feels that a larger herd would be needed to guarantee the bison’s future presence, if and when the farm becomes a commercial operation.