The World's Largest Native-Owned and Managed Buffalo Herd
Our Team
The Wolakota Buffalo Range is a project of the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) -- the economic development arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
Wolakota benefits from the extensive experience of REDCO's executive leadership team, who provide ongoing support for the project.
Clay Colombe, CFO
Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager
Clay Colombe, CFO
Clay is an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate with considerable financial experience. Clay provides the vision and high level guidance for the project.
Mindi Vavra, COO
Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager
Clay Colombe, CFO
Mindi has nearly 20 years of management experience and ensures that the operational and financial plans are in place to maximize Wolakota's impact.
Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager
Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager
TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager
Jimmy is responsible for managing and monitoring the health of Wolakota's herd and natural resources. Jimmy also serves as the lead for ongoing ecological monitoring and research efforts.
TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager
TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager
TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager
TJ is an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and was born and raised on a ranch on the Rosebud Reservation. TJ leads the day-to-day operations of the ranch and lives on site.
Aaron Epps, Project Manager
TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager
Aaron Epps, Project Manager
Aaron bring a broad skill set to the team and handles back office tasks for Wolakota, including business planning, partnerships, fundraising, and marketing.
Here's how we're making it happen
Mission
- As Lakota we believe we are all related and it is our duty to create a better world for future generations.
- At REDCO we do this by developing amazing leaders who run great organizations.
- The core business of the Wolakota Regenerative Buffalo Range is to raise and harvest buffalo using culturally appropriate, humane, and ecologically regenerative practices while restoring our relationship to the land and promoting economic, food, and tribal sovereignty.
- At REDCO we do this by developing amazing leaders who run great organizations.
Solution
We have a 15-year lease for a 28,000-acre property of grasslands belonging to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. We are transforming the property into a buffalo range capable of sustaining a herd of over 1,200 animals.
Our lease went into effect in March of 2020, and shortly thereafter we completed our first phase of perimeter fencing to enclose roughly 8,500 acres. We welcomed our first buffalo in Fall 2020 and currently have 750 bison.
Wolakota will achieve financially self-sufficiency by selling surplus bison to value aligned producers and processors. Wolakota also creates the opportunity for potential add-on development such as a processing plant, premium buffalo products, and cultural and eco-tourism.
Company and Team
Rosebud Farm Company (RFC), an agricultural business subsidiary of REDCO, will manage the Wolakota Regenerative Buffalo Range. REDCO's executive team will remain involved in strategic decision making for the duration of the project. Additionally, our technical assistance partners will continue to share valuable industry knowledge and connect us with their established networks.
Business Plan
We have a comprehensive 15-year business plan that has been reviewed and validated by several industry partners and is constantly being updated and expanded to reflect our progress and new opportunities.