Roaming Towards Regeneration
A Day at 777 Bison Ranch with Mimi Hillenbrand
Written by the WIR Team
June 15th, 2024
It was the kind of day that made you feel alive. The green rolling hills stretched endlessly under an expansive blue sky with drifting clouds. A constant breeze pushed the grass and the strands of your hair dance alike. In the distance, specks of moving dots covered the landscape, but as you moved closer to the herd, the resonating energy of 1,200 bison hooves hitting the ground could be felt from through the soles of your feet.
Our first stop in our Ranch Management Weekend series was the 777 Bison Ranch in South Dakota, where we had the pleasure of meeting Mimi Hillenbrand, host and ranch manager for nearly half of her family's 40-year-old ranch. Known for its holistic, sustainable, and humane management, the ranch has been raising bison for the last 30 years.
During our visit, we spent the day touring the ranch, starting from the corrals where the bison are vaccinated, health-checked, and sorted, and moving on to the various pastures where the bison rotate throughout the year. We observed the meticulous care given to each animal, the thoughtful land stewardship and witnessed the care Mimi has taken in developing her ranch team. As one team member said,
“When we joined this team there was less focus on what skills we had and more focus on what character we brought to our work. You can always develop someone’s management skills, but if they have the right character traits, that’s what makes all the difference.”
Mimi shared about the history and significance of the bison’s presence and the return of other wildlife, pollinators, and plants over the years. As a group, we engaged in an open dialogue about how regeneration occurs over time, when rest and keen observation are core management principles.
“For 38 years, I’ve watched plant and wildlife diversity come back. We’re a team, in partnership with nature,” said Mimi. “I’ve seen the difference in the land and what it does for the animals.
Mimi and her dedicated crew engaged us in several hands-on activities, where we learned about sustainable practices firsthand. We also dug into the earth, examining the root systems and learning how root depth can indicate compaction issues and give clues to overall plant health. This experiential learning underscored the connection between land stewardship and ecosystem vitality, emphasizing the role of sustainable practices in preserving and enhancing the natural environment for future generations.
Mimi and her dedicated crew engaged us in several hands-on activities, where we learned about sustainable practices firsthand. We also dug into the earth, examining the root systems and learning how root depth can indicate compaction issues and give clues to overall plant health. This experiential learning underscored the connection between land stewardship and ecosystem vitality, emphasizing the role of sustainable practices in preserving and enhancing the natural environment for future generations.
“Visiting the 777 Bison Ranch event with Women in Ranching was such a wonderful experience,” said Cimarron, a WIR member. “I feel inspired, connected, and even more motivated to continue pursuing my path in land stewardship and regenerative agriculture.”
The laughter and playful conversation that Mimi and her team shared were refreshing. As the day (far too quickly) came to an end, Mimi led a rich discussion, sharing her extensive experience and insights into what it takes to not just operate but thrive in ranch management. As if the day couldn’t climb even higher, the final cherry on top was an incredible culinary sendoff with a bison burger lunch prepared by her team.
"Abundance and patience are two words that come to mind when we reflect on our visit to the 777 Bison Ranch," said Hannah, WIR Program Manager.
It’s universally understood that it takes time and commitment to create special relationships and bonds, whether with the land, the animals that roam on it, or among one another. But it’s true what they say—patience pays off, and we saw that demonstrated in abundance at the 777.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mimi Hillenbrand and her incredible team at the 777 Bison Ranch. Their hospitality, knowledge, and dedication made our visit truly memorable. We are grateful for their willingness to share their expertise and stories with us.
In response to the community's desire for more interaction with ranch hosts and managers, Ranch Management Weekends were born. These weekends provide a unique opportunity for skill and experience sharing, particularly from women who own and manage land. The aim is to highlight and elevate the women in our community who are dedicated to the daily care of their land, animals and rural communities.
Join us this summer for Ranch Management Weekends as we travel across the West, visiting ranches and meeting the incredible women who run them. These events, spanning single-day to two partial-day sessions, offer ample time to explore ranching themes, dive deep into conversations, and share knowledge amongst peers.