By Colby Williams

news@joplinglobe.com

If a visitor to the Webb City Farmers’ Market can make it past the banjo picking and the enticing aromas of fresh vegetables and flowers, he or she is in for a surprise.

At the end of that gravel path filled with shoppers sits a trailer decked out with pictures of meat and the furry skins of a very large animal. There can be found the products available from the Flintrock Bison Ranch.

Located 50 miles from Joplin, just outside of Halltown, the Flintrock Bison Ranch is owned by Robert and Radella Long and their two children. They started in 1995 with five bison and now have more than 400. Just a few months ago, they also bought a processing plant in Golden City.

But their success in the bison business came about somewhat by accident.

“In the mid-’80s, I started going to Colorado elk hunting and absolutely fell in love with elk meat,” Robert said. “I did research on it and found out how good it was for you. So, in 1995, I went to a sale to get elk and saw buffalo there. I never even dreamed of owning buffalo but thought they were cool. So, I bought buffalo and elk, and just fell in love with the buffalo. It’s much easier to raise and much more in tune with things out here in the Midwest.”

Radella, affectionately labeled “The Buffalo Gal” by other market venders, takes two freezers full of meat to market four times every week. This is her first year attending the Friday farmers’ market in Webb City. The rest of the visits are to Springfield.

She said the reception in Webb City has been tremendous.

“I was surprised people knew about and wanted buffalo,” Radella said. “It’s gone over really well.”

Before the meat can get to the market, though, everything on the farm is a family affair.

“We farm, sell meat, butcher it and all that together,” Radella said.

“We all share responsibilities,” Robert added. “When I have to step off the farm, my wife is very capable of doing about anything. She can drive a truck and trailer better than most men.”

That is the way they want it to stay, so they can always assure the quality of their products.