Cortland Standard .net

By COLLEEN SIUZDAK
Staff Reporter
csiuzdak@cortlandstandard.net
SCOTT — More than 30 full-grown American bison occupy a pasture on Long Road at the new Skaneateles Buffalo Company LLC., started by a Homer family with the aim to both provide quality meat and educate residents about where their food comes from.
“A lot of time people are forgetting where food comes from,” Tony Rusyniak, owner of the business, said Wednesday. “They buy meat out of a plastic package. They have no idea.”
American bison are commonly known as buffalo in North America.
Rusyniak said he first became interested in starting the farm after speaking with his son-in-law Jay Edwards, who is a Mohawk with the Onondaga Nation: People of the Hills, a group of native nations. He said he was in awe of the knowledge the Native Americans have about raising the animals.
“They are absolutely fantastic ... and I have no idea how to raise buffalo,” Rusyniak said, adding he has a background in aviation. “You can’t get a manual on how to raise buffalo or even know what to do.”
Rusyniak said he bought the 150 acres of land 15 years ago at 787 Long Road and has been using it just to enjoy nature, also in conjunction with running his records storage business, Syracuse-based Empire Archives, for about 30 years. His wife, Ellen Rusyniak, daughter Shannon Edwards, and his 11-year-old son, Spencer Rusyniak, will also help keep the business in the family.
Tony Rusyniak said he felt he could make better use of the land and started the farm this year. He applauded the state’s great resources he can take advantage of to start his business.
Although the ultimate goal is to use the bison for meat products, Rusyniak said he has learned from the Onondaga Nation about how to respect the animal.
Rusyniak said he will not slaughter the animals for meat until a few years from now, when the business has been in full operation and he knows he has a good supply, adding the bison meat is “fantastic” because it is high in protein and has less fat than beef.
Scott Supervisor Kevin Fitch said Friday afternoon it is always good for the town to see agricultural businesses coming into the community.
“I think it’s going to attract people because you don’t see buffalo that much,” Fitch said. “I just hope people will enjoy them ... and be kind to them.”
Mike McMahon, co-owner of McMahon’s EZ Acres Farm in Homer and Scott, said in a telephone interview Friday afternoon he was looking at the bison while working on his farm, adding it was an amazing sight.
“When he (Tony) gets into something, he puts his heart and soul into it,” McMahon said. “He’s done a beautiful job of clearing the land. It’s improved this hillside for sure.”
McMahon, who also is an advocate for the so-called “farm to table” movement, said he hosts fifth-graders in the county who come to his farm to learn about where their food comes from.
“People have lost that connection and through no fault of their own,” McMahon said, adding most families do not produce their own food like in previous years. “That’s just the way it evolved.”
Rusyniak hopes his business will grow, keeping it in the family and passing on the knowledge and respect of the bison.
Although Rusyniak will be using bison for his business, he notes the beauty of the animal and how much he is learning from this experience.
“They’re absolutely fantastic to watch,” Rusyniak said. “There’s nothing better than having a tough day and sitting there and watching them. It’s a stress reliever.”