Buffalo Ridge Farm TN

Sage advice!

Buy land in secret. Build the house in secret. Then do the house warming party with publicity. Date in secret. Propose in private. Then marry in front of a crowd.

Let your haters only see your reality, never your vision, or you will have division.

In a game of chess, you don't speak. You just act. The only time that you ever speak when playing chess is to say checkmate. Life is like chess. Don't broadcast your intentions. Act quietly.

Keep achieving. Your achievements are your checkmate. 💯




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It might appear the background is the sky, but that's actually the skies reflection in the pond! Dragonflies are considered reliable indicators of ecosystem health because they require clean water and stable oxygen levels. Changes in dragonfly populations can help reveal changes in water ecosystems.

Attracting dragonflies to your property can be an effective, natural method for mosquito control. You can try maintaining a water feature and avoiding pesticides to encourage dragonflies to visit. 

Our lack of mosquitoes protects the and our , plus makes being outside foe us more enjoyable.

We had a few visitors today, of course I didn't have my phone on hand when Harry (Blue Heron) dropped by. And the old [turkey] hen was scooting across the back field as if she had something chasing her. So, no pictures of them.

I'm not sure where we'll mount the plaque! But UT arrived today and gave me feel-goods!

To our faithful supporters...
We stay pretty busy throughout the days on the ranch. What time I "devote" to trying to keep a social media presence in addition to daily tasks and chores is time that I carve out (desk time is the biggest chore for me).
I've tried saving time by auto/share posring to FB from the Instagram account, used to work great. Lately, FB has muted most posts that I take the time to edit and add music or voiceovers to.
As a result, I'm not going to post often to this page, unless it's not a post/video that contains audio.
If you are on Instagram and haven't followed us, but want to keep up with daily posts, please find us at:

www.instagram.com

From where we started on this farm to being a Certified Conservation Wildlife Ranch today...the journey continues!
Read more at:
https://www.buffaloridgefarm.org/post/bison-environment-raising-american-buffalo

BISON ENVIRONMENT: Raising American Buffalo This year, we achieved a short-term goal of certification as a Conservation Ranch through the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

Happy World Bee Day!
Just a reminder that our wild bee populations are still at risk. And, while honey bee colonies are rising, they too could face hive collapse in addition to specific disease.
The importance of both wild a colonized bee populations continues to depend on wild and native flowers and habitat.

I don't get political on social media, but IMHO, the issue of agency is a matter that We The People should agree must be stopped! A rogue agency making rules and guidelines that they'll take up arms against ranchers but fail to follow themselves is a tyrannical government's strong arm.

Read the article in its entirety: https://www.hcn.org/articles/federal-grazing-lands-fail-their-checkup/

Who will hold them accountable?

First pic shows the difference between conventional farming (the sprayed dead field in the background) and how we do on our land.
*Let me say, I have fantastic neighbors whom we adore...we just apply different protocols and practices between our operations.
The remaining pictures reflect the bounty of effort made for the herd.
We have increased grazing areas throughout the years with physical labor and a lot of focus on re-establashing native forages and habitat.
This year is really showing the fruits of our labor and it fills me with gratitude and motivation.

A few of our "other" residents here at . I haven't been able to get pix of the Orange Headed Tangers, Golden Finches, and the Indigo Buntings. But I keep trying...I post bees and butterflies and native/wildflowers more often. Figured it was time to give others the spotlight! 😀

The pollinators have plenty to keep them busy! around here has been peaceful, soaking up the rewards for all the effort made to re-establish an environment that keeps giving.
Daisies, honeysuckle, Maryland Golden asters, purple clover, and, of course, buffalo...
Just biding my time waiting for good news! ❤️

Had a great conversation with a new contact at Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency today. Our wild turkey and quail conservation efforts are ongoing, which means we must communicate with a variety of departments in order to find our balance for our land and wildlife along side of our herd. Unfortunately, we can't determine the cause of death (or age) of this hen. But it's always assuring when "we" are known among conservationists for the efforts we're making in East TN.

Today a friend stopped by to meet the herd. She brought her brother and his wife along so they could all see them.
They weren't deterred by the rain, mud, nor being a ! He truly is such a ham! They did zoomies and displayed typical behaviors. It made my day to share their antics with a friend and admirer of these

Vaccinated animals vs unvaccinated - let's talk about it.
If you understand animal husbandry, you know that livestock is vaccinated to prevent serious and life threatening illness.
Demanding vaccine free proteins is promoting the spread of illness that can cause suffering and poor quality of life.
I know! You're likely wanting to avoid having any mRNA vaccines (me too)!
But, unless something has changed in recent days, you should know that livestock vaccines (except swine) DO NOT have mRNA technologies. The concerns are baseless in protecting you as a consumer but could result in outbreaks of illnesses and death due to [preventable] disease. It is inhumane to promote vaccine-free husbandry, could result in food shortages due to outbreaks in herds, and will not serve to protect you from mRNA (except in pork).
Please be fully informed in your health journeys and know that most quality ranchers are researching and staying UTD on issues that can harm our herds and our customers.
To eat healthy, your choice of proteins must be healthy.

Learn more at: https://tnfarmbureau.org/mrna-vaccines-in-livestock

Luke 24:6-7

“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and, on the third day, be raised again.”

This Easter Sunday seems appropriate to share...being a native West Virginian, i grew up watching the three crosses spread across the state and beyond. Many today may not know the story behind them. Nice write up.

SUTTON, W.Va.—One night in 1984, the Reverend Bernard Coffindaffer had an epiphany. God called him, he explained afterward, to erect sets of three crosses across the land to recall Christ's crucifixion at Calvary. He would raise them wherever he could and start nearby—in the foothills west of the Allegheny Mountains in central West Virginia.

In less than a decade, thousands of such crosses had sprung up across the eastern U.S., capping knolls and other landmarks along highways from Florida and Texas north into Pennsylvania and beyond.

In 1993, Coffindaffer died of a heart attack at his Craigsville, West Virginia home. Though other groups have taken up his ministry, many crosses have fallen into disrepair or collapsed entirely. There's every chance that more than a quarter-century after they were raised, many will have perished by the half-century mark.

Here are some facts about the crosses and Coffindaffer that may or may not be known by the millions of people who see them along U.S. highways annually.
You can read the full article at:

https://wvexplorer.com/2022/07/20/bernard-coffindaffers-crosses-three-roadside-west-virginia-wv/

Keeping the Gaw family in our prayers at the Lazy G Ranch TN.

This isn't a typical post for Buffalo Ridge Farm TN, but I hope you'll read through the OP and consider the information shared.
Those who know Dave and I "IRL" know that we are native West Virginians, and probably know that we continue to support and love the state our roots grew from before resettling to East Tennessee. And, for many, you know I spent a few decades in the rescue world before retiring from most all things related.
I have and will never stop supporting the rescue communities that are so desperately needed.
This is one of WV's most-needed rescues. Over the past decade, the number of horses that have been turned out to survive on strip mines and in the wilds of the mountainous state continues to increase as vetting and feed costs rise. This program is geared to keep that from happening. It also provides aid for medical and feed care to ensure these horses are not relinquished to rescues that are nearly maxed out for space or resources.
Please consider supporting West Virginia Horse Network, Inc.

REMEMBERING CHEYANNE....she wasn't "ours"...she is a horse that we helped this month through our STAI (Solutions to Avoid Intake) Safety Net Program.

This program provides vital resources to help horses "STAI" with their owners. This comes in the form of basic vet care, farrier care, temporary assistance with feed and hay, maintenance medications and other things to address short term needs. It is often times best for the horse, the owner, the rescue and other horses needing help...if we can keep horses in their homes.

The program also covers the cost of euthanasia.

When Cheyanne's owner reached out to us...we originally agreed to help with a basic vet visit. She'd lost some weight so we agreed to cover an exam and a dental float if needed.

But when the vet arrived, she discovered Cheyanne's situation was unfortunately more serious.

We are SO TREMENDOUSLY GRATEFUL to Cheyanne's owner for being willing to share her story...so that our followers will better understand what this program is about. We need our community's support to raise funds for STAI and meet the needs for Cheyanne and other horses....better served by staying with the people who love them most.

HER STORY:
"Cheyanne was the best horse ever. My husband bought her as a present for our 10th wedding anniversary. When we went to look at horses I fell into love with her immediately.

We brought her home and gave her time to settle in and she acted like she had been with us forever. My children could do anything they wanted around her and she had no reaction at all. They could even walk under her belly. I would put them on her without any tack at all and she would bring them home from the bus stop.

She got her treats of course. I only rode her 3 times before I herniated a disc in my spine and found out I was pregnant. So she more or less became a best friend to me. No more riding, just grooming and talking.

Then I noticed she was dribbling p*e constantly. It was an overnight change. She acted like nothing was going on at all. I thought she was in heat. Then a few weeks went by and it was still going on. She had developed urine scald. I kept putting diaper rash cream or utter balm on her back side to help with that. Not long after this, she started to thin out. I knew something was wrong.

I got into touch with you guys about the STAI Program and was able to get a veterinarian out to see Cheyenne. We found out she had a mass in her bladder that was as big as the vets hand. It was diagnosed as cancer. The best option was to euthanize so she wouldn't suffer.

Cheyanne spent her last few weeks getting all the love she would accept. She learned to use her hoof to knock at our steps for grain when she wanted it. She got treats at least 10 times a day and groomed a little every time she ate.

The day before her trip to Heaven my children all got to spend time with her saying good bye. When the next day came I was heartbroken but I knew it wasn't fair to let her suffer and she was over eating at this point without any change in body condition.

I chose to be with her until the very last moment. I will forever miss Cheyanne but I will reunite with her when God calls me home."

****
I hope this will demonstrate what we knew when we started this program....

The best thing for this mare, wouldn't have been to uproot her from the life she knew and the people who loved her...to take her to the rescue and then euthanize her. In cases like this...a peaceful end in familiar surroundings with people she knows is the right thing...the best thing.

Please consider designating donations toward our STAI Program. The ASPCA Right Horse was kind enough to believe in our vision for this pilot program in 2023 and provide a grant for the launch. They provided us with a second smaller grant to continue the program in 2024...with the agreement that we would raise matching dollars. If you are looking for a way to make a meaningful, measurable impact through an innovative effort....please consider this program as the recipient of your donation. It helps not only horses like Cheyanne...but also other horses who aren't lucky to be in a home where they are loved...because it allows us to keep spaces open in the rescue.

A special thanks to Dr. Faye...the vet that we worked with on this case. I (Nicky) made a friend in her during the many long conversations we had on the phone about Cheyanne. I'm sure we'll work together to help other horses in the future. Dr. Faye was kind, compassionate and understanding.

Thanks to Cheyanne's case manager (volunteer) Ranee for having the difficult conversations with Cheyanne's owner. We'd hoped for a different outcome initially, but we were happy to provide this when we realized it was needed.

If you or someone you know could benefit from STAI you can find the application link on our homepage. You can find donation options there as well. https://www.horsenetworkwv.com/

Please remember Cheyanne and her family in your thoughts.

Let me tell you my thoughts about the Association. If you aren't going to 'go along to get along' - you will have your voice silenced. Or at least on their page.
That's okay. This PAID MEMBER will be filing multiple Code of Ethics complaints going forward.
The deceptiveness that is being promoted by the association is failing the animals that they proclaim to admire.
My interview with HuffPost writers tomorrow just got so much more interesting!
Silence the females during National Women's Month....that's the good old boys for you.

Let me tell you my thoughts about the National Bison Association. If you aren't going to 'go along to get along' - you will have your voice silenced. Or at least on their page.
That's okay. This PAID MEMBER will be filing multiple Code of Ethics complaints going forward.
The deceptiveness that is being promoted by the association is failing the animals that they proclaim to admire.
My interview with HuffPost writers tomorrow just got so much more interesting!
Silence the females during National Women's Month....that's the good old boys for you.

Celebrating a few of the during

The kind of "attraction" we love to see coming soon in our beautiful Smoky Mountains!

A Massive New Attraction is Quietly Being Built on a Mountaintop in Pigeon Forge A new outdoor enthusiast park is coming to Sevier County. The huge tract of land will offer access to massive hiking and biking trails as well as Guided UTV tours. Essentially, the place will be like being in the National Park without being in the park.

The 2nd article of the 3-part "Whats In Your Meat" series dropped this evening.
Part 2: Truth in Labeling
Is for consumers, not just those that prefer bison meat.

BISON CONSUMERS: Truth in Labeling Truth in Labeling is almost a constant whisper, there is always some change predicted, requested, or legislated due to the mess our government agencies have created (and special interest groups have managed to manipulate). We have organic, cage-free, free-range, grass-fed, grass-finished, antibiotic...

Tis the season...the storms and spring are nearly here.
Or, at least that's what I'm telling myself.