Fences and Biscuits

Written by Rose Buchanan

Homesteaded in 1887, Martin Ranch is nestled in the Monitor Mountains of Eureka, Nevada. Almost a step back in time, Martin Ranch is a place where modern life has not erased yesterday's simpler ways of living.

Work on the ranch is much the same day aer day and it doesn’t always feel like much gets done compared to what still needs doing. Endless miles of fence, built over a hundred years ago, now needs replacing. Springs that used to water cattle, now need repairing. I lit three propane lamps, not wanting to use battery before sunrise. Our ranch was homesteaded in 1887 and still operates off-grid today. e coffee pot is perking on the cook stove, sloppy biscuits hot from the oven, and bacon is sizzling in the cast iron skillet. My husband and our six young children sit around the table. It’s basically an employee meeting.

is kitchen has entertained family meetings for six generations. “We’ll need the pack saddle for Hacksaw,” my husband says. Six heads all nod in agreement.

“We’ll need fence posts, extra wire, and don’t forget the post driver,” he continues.

Six young heads nod again. I place the basket of biscuits before my family. Great grandmother’s recipe, still a favorite.

“We’ll put that dri fence in halfway up Golden Stairs.” More silent nods as the calves and hence began the journey that has led us to this point. Over the years we have purchased more animals and kept our replacement heifers to slowly build our herd all the while growing an immense appreciation for bison. eir adaptive nature and efficiency of grazing even when the snow gets deep makes them a clear choice for us where we can plant cover crops for regenerative agriculture practices and graze them late into the winter. kids are buttering and passing syrup back and forth. “If we keep cows up that side of the mountain longer, we’ll push them up White Rock next month.” Plates are scraped clean, not a crumb le. is crew knows the long hours ahead.

rough perseverance and struggles, harvests and sowing, we work to live the right to keep our traditions and lifestyle. We are blessed with the opportunity to work again another day.