Page 26 - Trending Magazine 2018 Spring

Good Eats Bison_Layout 1 18-03-16 2:03 PM Page 1

Story by Ian Froese
Photos by Tim Smith

here was something about the resilient nature 1,200 acres, most of which is dedicated as grazing
of bison that resonated with Trevor Gompf land.
Tfrom a very young age. Riding a gradual growth in the industry, interrupted
A bison producer visited his Grade 4 classroom to talk by the a 2003 hit as a result of BSE, the ranch has
about the animals, during which he presented grown to accommodate approximately 475 head of
students with a buffalo hide. bison.
“I remember, right from there I fell in love with them,” Motivated in part by “the love of the west,” Gompf
Gompf said, adding; “That’s what I wanted to do, it said that although the business has taken off during
was always in the back of my head.” the past 20 years and evolved into something
He achieved this dream at age 22, when he joined his sustainable into the long-term, the bankers he dealt
family in securing 60 head of bison. with weren’t always as confident as he’s been that the
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bison Spirit industry would take off.
Ranch, which Gompf now operates with wife Jodi and Approximately 10 years in, Gompf recalls his banker
their four boys, aged 21 and younger. remaining skeptical about his family’s bison ranch,
Situated a few kilometres north of Sioux Valley remarking; “You’ve got bigger balls than me,” adding
Dakota Nation, the ranch is made up of approximately that the livestock would never pay for themselves.

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