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Finding Farmers Who Raise Bison
Central | Northeast | Northwest
Southeast | South Central | Southwest
West Central | Twin Cities
Southeast | South Central | Southwest
West Central | Twin Cities
We have identified farmers in each region who may be able to provide bison meat in sufficient quantities for schools. Some of these farmers may be willing to come in and speak to students during bison tastings. Clicking on a region will bring you to a list of farmers in that region.
Please also check our lists of distributors and farmer cooperatives that may be able to supply local bison.
Please note that these lists show farmers who raise bison and are likely to have the quantities needed; but they may not have experience with supplying a school. You will need to inform them of your school district's requirements for packaging, delivery, liability insurance, and so on.
Bison meat, because it comes from an animal considered "wild," is in a different regulatory class than meats from domesticated livestock such as beef, pork, and lamb. Bison ranchers are allowed to sell meat that has not been slaughtered under inspection. Schools should only buy inspected meat. The list of bison producers below was provided by the Minnesota Buffalo Association and consists of producers who voluntarily have their meat slaughtered under inspection at either a USDA or Minnesota Equal-To facility.
Do you raise bison? Want to be on this list? Please contact the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture: misamail@umn.edu.
See Buying Tips for estimated quantities required by school food services.
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