Meet Our Rangeland Bison Ranchers

In the hilly terrain and wide-open land of the Peace Region, you’ll find Robert and his passionate ranching team tending to approximately 12,000 acres of natural land at Peace River Ranch Ltd., where nearly 3,500 bison roam and graze in several herds. Here, the animals enjoy life as they were meant to, grazing spacious pastures and catching lazy, shaded naps under the shelter of trees.

“Peace River Ranch offers some of the best conditions in the country for bison to roam free, as they benefit from enriched soils and natural habitats across all seasons,” said Robert. With a brief history in agriculture, Robert was drawn to the particular allure of ranch life and to the fresh opportunities and challenges that sustainable bison ranching brought. He began his career as a bison rancher in 2017, a dream he worked toward for years before time, opportunity, and chance finally aligned.

Over the past several years, Robert has worked in holistic grass management, regenerative grazing practices, animal welfare, low-stress handling, and general ranch management. Today, with the support of an experienced team of experts, Peace River Ranch has been able to achieve and implement industry-leading standards for maintaining full respect for bison’s natural behavioural demands. By using regenerative grazing—a practice connected to following nature’s rhythm—the animals maintain the land. The result: a meat that’s better tasting and better for consumers and for the environment. “Producing healthy food and supporting nature by using sustainable practices and being responsible stewards of the land; that makes me most proud,” said Robert.

For 27 years, Judy and Erwin Van Haren have been raising herds of bison with their family on the rolling pastures of Frontier Farm in Lacombe, Alberta. Originally dairy farmers, Judy and Erwin felt the pull to pursue new passions. Intrigued by the possibilities that bison offered—ones that would allow them to connect their love of family and nature with ethical farming practices—Judy and Erwin began their family-run bison operation in 1995.

Today, Judy and Erwin run the family farm alongside their son, Roger and his wife Katelyn who also live on Frontier Farm with their young children. Working in such proximity to their family gives the Van Haren’s the blessing of seeing their grandchildren nearly every day.

The family’s herds of bison roam wild and free on Frontier Farm with little human intervention. Never confined, the herds graze between shared pastures with Roger and Katelyn raising one half of the bison herd, while Judy and Erwin tend to the other half. This process helps to revive the land.
“It’s the circle of life to raise bison on the grasslands,” said Judy, who enjoys observing the animals and watching them grow.

The Van Haren’s grandchildren also participate in the farm, helping where they can. Whether it’s riding along in the tractor, doing herd checks, or speaking to guests on farm tours, the children are learning the family’s long held farming traditions. “Having the next generation involved in the family farm is what makes it all a lot more worthwhile,” said Judy. Once on the verge of extinction, bison are being restored with the help of sustainable bison farmers like the Van Haren’s, who believe it’s important to consider where our food comes from, how it’s processed and the impact it has on our local communities and collective environment. While there are many benefits to bison farming, one undeniable bonus is the direct access it offers to healthy, delicious, farm-to-table meats. “It’s a good feeling to know we’re providing healthy meat for our family and for the consumer too.”

For Michelle and Steven, their history in agriculture paved the way for their future in bison. Multi-generational farmers, their journey to bison farming began back in 2014 when they officially joined Michelle’s father in the family bison business. “We loved the allure and mystique of bison,” says Michelle of her family-run and family-focused farm. Today their operation includes two herds of bison that roam on over 1,100 acres of land. “We love the area. We love agriculture. We feel so fortunate to look outside our windows and see bison roaming by,” says Michelle. Together with their two daughters, Michelle and Steven embrace the pace of the rural lifestyle and are passionate about ethical, sustainable farming practices. Their bison live wild and free—just as nature intended—and are raised with little human Intervention.

When it comes to health and nutrition, Michelle and Steven are proud to provide meat that’s higher in minerals and vitamins, lower in fat and cholesterol and simply better tasting. Their daughters are a testament to the flavour, as they prefer their family’s homegrown bison burgers to anything else on the menu. Excited to introduce the benefits of bison to customers around the world, Michelle and Steven are also proud to continue the bison legacy for generations to come.

With a proud history spanning over 40 years in the bison and cattle industry, Klukus Lake Ranch covers an impressive 4,000 acres. Established in 1980, the ranch showcases a distinguished bison herd, adjacent to the scenic 7000 ft2 Klukus Lake Lodge overlooking Klukus Lake. With a steadfast commitment to regenerative practices, Klukus Lake Ranch is a testament to blending tradition with nature’s sustainability.

A multi-generational bison legacy, where family, freedom, and the open prairie unite to nurture quality, tradition, and a boundless future. Located in a small village in south east Saskatchewan, Liberty Run Ranch is a proud provider of high quality meats to Rangeland Bison.