Jul 23, 2026

Happy Bison Month!!

Hope your week is going well, things here are clicking along.. just trying to keep the wheels on the wagon, nose to the grindstone, and shoulder to the wheel... (it's basically like farmhouse twister here)

We did get the B.o.s.s socks and more Yellowstone and Kenai in yesterday.. so we are pretty well stocked for the next few months. This year though, we have had a definite increase in demand, and it's our lightest harvest in years. So, we shall see how long stuff stays on the shelf... Do have socks going out to an NFL team today, pretty excited about that opportunity, have a feeling they will appreciate how well they perform under workout conditions. Putting off the price increase till the end of Bison Month, I figure if you can tolerate 31 days of newsletters, we should be nice about it.

Some more of our favorite people here today, this family has been doing it right for a long time, and they are some stellar producers.. another large ranch doing field harvest. Such a great way to produce the best quality meat possible. Really enjoy spending time with them as well.

Hope you have a truly great day!

Ron & T, and the crew here at the BWC

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

Northstar Bison: From Boyhood Dream to Regenerative Family Legacy

In the rolling hills of northwest Wisconsin, near Cameron and Rice Lake, a family’s childhood fascination with the American bison has grown into one of the most respected regenerative bison operations in the country. Northstar Bison, founded in 1994 by Lee and Mary Graese, began as a simple hobby but evolved into a vertically integrated, family-run enterprise committed to raising animals as nature intended, honoring every part of the animal, and nourishing people with the most nutrient-dense protein available.

The Dream Takes Root

Lee Graese grew up on a small dairy farm near Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, where daily chores instilled a strong work ethic. His love for the iconic bison of the American West began early through countless books about the frontier and the animal that sustained Native peoples and settlers alike. As a young man, Lee channeled his energy into fitness and powerlifting. In 1983, he set an American record in the deadlift—drug-free—and later coached athletes while serving on a sports nutrition advisory board.

Mary Graese, a dietitian who grew up on a hog farm in southern Minnesota, shared Lee’s passion for health, nutrition, and wholesome living. The couple met at Lee’s gym; what started as a professional connection blossomed into marriage. Both had vowed never to return to farming after leaving home, but ranching felt different—especially when it involved the majestic bison Lee had always admired.In October 1994, Lee and Mary purchased their first two bison—a stout 2-year-old bull named Billy and a healthy 8-month-old heifer calf named Sarah—from a surplus sale at Blue Mounds State Park in southwestern Minnesota. They used a friend’s pickup and stock trailer for the trip. What began as a weekend hobby on 110 acres of former draft-horse land quickly captured their hearts. The family (including young children Sean, Marielle, and Renee) threw themselves into building fence, making hay, and learning the rhythms of bison life.

From Hobby to Thriving Family Business

By 1997, the Graeses had their first calves and harvested their first bison in the field—a deliberate choice born from deep respect for the animal. Mary began sharing the exceptional nutritional profile of grass-fed bison with health-conscious contacts, including cardiologists and their patients. Demand grew steadily.The business scaled thoughtfully. In the mid-2000s, they purchased their own processing facility (later relocated to Cameron, Wisconsin), giving them full control from “gate to plate.” Today, Northstar operates on thousands of acres of owned and leased land across northwest Wisconsin, with a network of like-minded “Northstar Tribe” producers who follow the same high standards. Daughter Marielle Hewitt now plays a key role in management, while son Sean handles operations and shipping. The entire family has been involved from the early days, with stories and photos capturing everything from first winters with the herd to senior pictures alongside bison.

A True Family Affair:

The Next Generation Steps InThe Graese children grew up immersed in the operation and have become integral to its success. Daughter Marielle Hewitt serves on the management team, playing a key role in overseeing regenerative grazing practices and pasture management. Son Sean Graese handles significant operational responsibilities, including ranch management, customer relations, and shipping logistics. He also contributes to the broader bison industry as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Bison Association, I really enjoy serving with Sean.. seriously good guy.

Another daughter, Renee, was actively involved in the early years alongside her siblings. This multi-generational involvement ensures the family’s core values—hard work, respect for the land and animals, and a commitment to quality—continue to guide Northstar’s growth. As one family member has shared, the operation remains “a genuine family affair, full of hard work, laughter, and a whole lot of bison love.”

Raising Bison as Nature Intended Northstar’s practices set them apart:

100% Grass-Fed & Finished: Bison graze exclusively on native grasses and forage their entire lives—no grain, GMOs, or corn ever.
Regenerative Rotational Grazing: Herds are moved frequently across paddocks in a management-intensive system that mimics the massive historical bison herds. This builds soil health, sequesters carbon, improves water retention, and creates vibrant ecosystems.
Zero-Stress Field Harvest: Animals are harvested peacefully on their home pasture, surrounded by the herd, with no transport or stressful handling. This commitment to welfare from birth to the final moment produces cleaner, more tender, and flavorful meat.
Hide to Heart Philosophy: Nothing is wasted. Every part of the animal is utilized—from premium cuts and nutrient-dense organ meats to tallow products, hides, and leather goods.
No Antibiotics or Hormones: Strict standards ensure clean, wholesome meat.

These values extend beyond bison. Northstar partners with trusted producers for grass-fed beef, pastured pork, poultry, elk, and more, while maintaining rigorous oversight. Bison meat itself stands out nutritionally: higher in protein, iron, selenium, B vitamins, and omega-3s than conventional beef, with a slightly sweet, non-gamey flavor that appeals to a wide audience.

A Legacy of Stewardship and Growth

Their emphasis on quality, transparency, and direct relationships with customers has fueled consistent double-digit growth for decades. Today, Northstar offers products through their website, retail store in Cameron, Wisconsin, restaurants, grocery stores, and direct shipping. They support broader bison restoration efforts, including the National Bison Association’s Bison One Million campaign, and proudly note that the American bison was designated the national mammal in 2016. Marielle Hewitt has spoken passionately about the family’s work: “I’ve had a passion for what we do in our business from a very early age.” The Graeses continue to prioritize land health, animal welfare, and educating the next generation about regenerative agriculture and the remarkable bison.

More Than Meat — A Way of LifeWhat started with two bison and a boyhood dream has become a model of integrity in regenerative farming. The Graese family—Lee, Mary, and their children—has shown that raising animals with respect, stewarding the land regeneratively, and delivering exceptional nutrition can create a thriving business that benefits people, animals, and the planet. Northstar Bison stands as proof that the iconic American bison can once again play a vital role in healthy ecosystems and healthy diets—thanks to a family that never stopped believing in the dream.