From Trash to Treasure: How A Community’s Leftover Pumpkins are Helping Local Bison

Do you ever wonder what to do with your pumpkins after Halloween?

Instead of throwing away the leftover pumpkins, the Mansfield community has teamed up with Bx3 Ranch to donate them to their bison.

Bx3 Ranch is a regenerative bison farm dedicated not only to raising bison, but also to making a positive impact on the local community by providing a healthier meat alternative. Owned and operated by the Yeckley family, the farm has been raising bison since last spring. David Yeckley and Breanne Radin Yeckley are raising their two children, Waylon and Wylie, to understand the importance of local agriculture and business.

While unique, bison regeneration is vital to the environment because of their natural caretaking abilities. Bison graze the grass, stimulating growth for the plants and encouraging plant diversity. Even their wallowing - rolling in the dirt - creates habitats for insects and reptiles and captures rainfall.

I know we enjoy pumpkins as a seasonal treat, but so do bison!

Some of our FCCB team members, Molly Christman and Kristen Beals, traveled to the farm to witness the bison enjoy their treat firsthand. Christman described the bison as "beautiful, unique and impressive." Breanne responded, "They're quite magnificent."

This project began with the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce's initiative to beautify the town, decorating Main Street with pumpkins and scarecrows. Rather than letting those decorations go to waste after the season, the community extended the effort to support local agriculture and reduce waste.

"It's wonderful to see the community support and take part in local farming initiatives. We appreciate being able to collaborate with the community. Not only did the bison enjoy the pumpkins but we also shared some of them with a few neighboring farms," said Breanne, co-owner of Bx3 Ranch.

This heartwarming partnership highlights the true spirit of the Mansfield community - coming together to support local farm businesses and champion sustainable initiatives.