Bison & Native Plant Tour

Step onto the native grasslands of the Ozarks with us for the Bison & Native Plant Tour at Sorghum Day! In this tour, we explore what Missouri’s historic grasslands looked like before settlement and how prairie, savanna, and glade ecosystems were shaped by grazing, fire, diverse native plants, and millions of roaming bison. Bison naturally favor grasses while leaving many native wildflowers and forbs behind, creating an unexpected tool for managing native plant fields. We also discuss the role of prescribed fire, the importance of plant diversity, and how these natural processes helped build resilient grassland ecosystems long before modern agriculture.

More importantly, this tour is about what we can learn from the past and put to work today. From grazing cattle and bison to improving soil health, reducing fertilizer and hay inputs, managing invasive plants, and establishing diverse native pastures, native grasslands can provide benefits for livestock, wildlife, soil, and the land itself. We also share the history of Hamilton Native Outpost, including the family’s early work with native grasses and the continued effort to collect, grow, and provide native seed.

Check out our Bison Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJQVdnvs-It-makM2fos8RagOHV0qoTX5

Need to feed Bison? Here is our solution: https://hamiltonnativeoutpost.com/product/native-warm-season-grass-grazing-mix/

Drone video footage courtesy of Jim Grace