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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels August 31, 2004 Buffalo not just for wings anymore By Amanda Bolsinger Tidings Correspondent As more people are becoming health conscious and looking for healthier alternatives, bison meat is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to ground beef. Bison-crazed patrons of Geppetto's can sink their teeth into this buffalo burger, as prepared by Kitchen Manager Sager Swartz. Andrew Mariman | Ashland Daily Tidings Once a rare delicacy, bison can now be found at several restaurants around town, at farmers markets and a few supermarket delis. Restaurants such as Geppeto's and Standing Stone Brewing Co. both serve a buffalo burger. The Ashland Co-op sells ground buffalo in its deli. Geppeto's began serving their buffalo burger about 2 1/2 years ago. It has become a favorite for many who would normally steer clear of a regular burger. "Our buffalo burger is extremely popular," Ron Roth, owner of Geppeto's said. "Many people who rarely eat hamburgers love the buffalo. Buffalo is a better quality of meat. The buffalo is grass fed and a much leaner cut of meat." The growing popularity of buffalo can be attributed locally to Full Circle Bison Ranch, a 118-acre ranch in Williams. The ranch is family owned and operated by Tobias and Abigail Hatfield. The Hatfields have owned Full Circle for more than three years and supply bison to approximately 35 stores and restaurants, locally and nationally. Full Circle also takes wholesale orders, and can be found at the Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass farmers' markets. "We have spent the last three years giving out samples of buffalo meat at grocery stores, farmers markets, charity events," Hatfield said. "We give it out anywhere we can. A lot of people have gotten to try bison meat through us." Full Circle prides itself on its high standards for raising bison. Its bison are raised without antibiotics or hormones. The bison are grass fed, without any animal byproducts or any agricultural byproducts. "What the bison are fed is much cleaner, more natural and safe then what a lot of cattle and chicken are fed," Hatfield said. "There is a standard in the bison industry to keep it that way." As well as being raised on an organic diet, bison offer other health benefits. A lean cut of beef has 3 1/2 times the fat of a lean cut of bison, which has less than half the fat of skinless chicken. Bison is lower in calories and cholesterol than either chicken or beef. Bison also has 30 percent more protein and 67 percent more iron than beef. If the health factors aren't enough of a reason to try bison, the flavor probably is. Bison is one of the most flavorful meats, with a sweeter, richer flavor than beef. "Often, people who buy our buffalo that usually buy beef tell us that it's the best tasting meat they have ever had and that they really love the flavor," Hatfield said. Ground buffalo can be substituted in any recipe that calls for ground beef, and the result is usually a lighter dish with less grease and more flavor. "It's a great substitute in something like lasagna," Hatfield said. "It's already a heavy dish and adding ground bison makes it light and flavorful without too much fat" The Full Circle Ranch is constantly growing and adding new accounts. They invite people to tour the ranch, see the bison and buy the meat directly. They also host a big barbeque each year. "We don't just supply premium quality bison, but we show people how to prepare it as well," said Hatfield. The ranch is on the Web at www.fullcirclebisonranch.com and can be contacted by phone at (541) 846-1351. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams