The fascination of a dream lives inside all of us. Our dreams aspire us to reach great goals; goals which could not otherwise be obtained without these seemingly simple states. What is even more remarkable is when these dreams become reality. For us this came as a result of one magnificent animal, the bison (also known as buffalo).

It all began in December of 1998, so we thought. Little did we know it had actually begun in 1939 with the purchase of a farm in the small town of Wolcottville, Indiana. Grandpa, Everett Cook, purchased the farm. The farm included a house, barn, and 83 acres for a grand total of $5000.00. After being told it was the worst investment he had ever made, he was able to pay it off with two good years of popcorn. This worst investment now homes our dream. The same striving spirit of innovative and visionary ideas of grandpa was passed down to his son, Wayne Cook, a former successful business owner and inheritor of the farm. Further, this same spirit now thrives in a 3rd generation.

A young hometown boy from Wolcottville had a dream, a dream of raising bison. Having traveled with his family for a number of years to Wyoming, he became fascinated with the bison. Picture taking, trips through Yellowstone, and visiting buffalo museums was not enough for Peter Cook. After becoming a member of the National Bison Association along with extensive research and of course convincing his father that raising this seemingly wild animal was a sensible idea, we got our first thirty bison in December of 1998, thus establishing Cook's Bison Ranch. They traveled in strong blizzard conditions from Tennessee and from Bourbon and Bremen, Indiana. Just as the once endangered bison have begun to quickly multiply, our herd of 30 has grown to 300 with numbers continually growing and our 83-acre farm to 900 acres which now hosts group tours of all sizes including school groups.

Cook's Bison Ranch believes that bison meat is the meat for the future. We strive to produce a quality product that is natural, tasty, tender, and healthy. The meat has no gamey flavor. You can now imagine eating a tasteful red meat and not feel guilty. Our animals receive no growth hormones and stimulants, and we are able to raise all our own hay and grain for feed. We feel it is important that we can provide all of our customers with accurate information on the meat they are buying.

What all began with family: grandpa's farm as a home for the bison, grandpa's old hay wagon used for giving hay ride tours grandpa's tractor for doing chores, grandpa's barn for storing equipment, and grandpa's spirit which still lives on, still perseveres with family.

The whole family welcomes you to be our guests for a unique taste and a unique trip out to see a true American icon. Visit Cook's Bison Ranch and be a part of our living history.