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Bison Rancher

Animals: BisonRidge Ranch, Montello, WI
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Have you ever yearned to be “home on the range?” Do you dream of living off the land in tune with nature and its “critters?” Are you adventuresome, hard working, flexible, and willing to get your hands dirty? Then pack your saddle bags, roll up your sleeves, and take the trail to BisonRidge Ranch for a VocationVacation® that will feed your mind and body with the practical and magical sides of running a bison ranch.

For Georgia Derrick, co-owner of BisonRidge Ranch, her ranching career began with a love story. For years, Georgia had been a successful leather goods designer and shop owner in Colorado. In 1987, she attended a National Bison Association conference, and there she met and fell in love with Jim Atten. With buffalo (a bison and a buffalo are the same animal) as unlikely cupids, Georgia and Jim were married six months later.

“Until Jim and I got married, I had only seen a bison in a zoo,” laughs Georgia. That soon changed. Jim, an attorney and real estate developer, had become interested in the bison ranching business back in the 70’s when he purchased ranch land in Wisconsin. Over the years he talked with people and attended conferences (like the one where he met Georgia) to gain insights into the business. When Georgia and Jim were married, the bison population numbered six. They began renovation of the 1893 brick ranch house, sleeping in a tent during their weekend trips while planning the future of their ranch.

Today, more than 300 bison roam the 1100 acres of BisonRidge Ranch. Georgia, Jim and their daughter and son-in-law run this family business. “We begin and end every day at the kitchen table discussing what needs to be done,” explains Georgia. “Every day is a little different. One day you may be mending fences and herding animals, and the next day you may be spending the night in a corral, bottle feeding a new calf.”

Committed to keeping the ranch “in harmony with Mother Nature,” Georgia implements chemically-free practices in all aspects of operations at the ranch. This results in the production of 100% grass-fed bison meat which is sold on the BisonRidge Ranch web site and at the gift shop on the ranch. The gift shop also carries unique leather goods designed and made by Georgia.

In 2003, Georgia opened up their newly restored Victorian home at the ranch as a facility for retreats and events. “It can be challenging to earn a living in agriculture, so you need to look at your assets, and how best to use them to be self-sufficient,” explained Georgia. “Opening the house was a good business decision, and also a way for us to share with others the nurturing environment that makes BisonRidge Ranch such a special place.”

Sharing their passion for what they do is not new to Georgia and her family. Families and children have enjoyed tours of the ranch for many years. “I never get tired of seeing the wonder on peoples’ faces the first time they see these magnificent animals,” says Georgia. Since 1988, Georgia and her family have participated in the Agricultural Exchange Program welcoming men and women from all over the world into their home for six to eight months, immersing them in all aspects of the operation. Recently, the Food Channel Network visited the ranch to tape a buffalo burger barbeque for its “Unwrapped” program.

When asked what the best part of her job is, Georgia doesn’t hesitate with the answer. “I love the animals. Bison have this mystique about them that brings out the humility in you,” she says. “Anyone can learn the nuts and bolts of this business, but it is important that you have a love and respect for the animals and the land if you are going to succeed.”

While on your Bison Ranch Owner VocationVacation® dream job holiday with Georgia Derrick, activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Participate in herd management of more than 300 bison
  • Assist with maintaining water and feeding systems
  • Learn about pasture management and planning utilizing organic practices
  • Depending on season – active involvement in weighing and deworming bison, seasonal round-up, hay collection or fencing
  • Participate in the Agritourism business to include working with tour groups, workshops, retreats, and/or concerts
  • Visit the meat processing plant to learn about cutting, labeling and packaging
  • Learn about meat sales including: internet sales, packaging, shipping, marketing, pricing and inventory
  • Work in leather goods business to include the basics of cutting and sewing bison leather and fur products
The BisonRidge Ranch Vocation Vacations® holiday includes:
  • Three days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as an bison ranch owner
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacation career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job becoming a reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: All year based on mentor's availability with exception of holiday weekends

Price: $1049 Per Person

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Required Accommodations

Bison Ridge Ranch

(Not included in the price of the VocationVacations® holiday)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure:
Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:

Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.