Niman Ranch works with traditional and sustainable U.S. farms and ranches. Our Farmers are dedicated to the welfare of their farm animals.

We believe that supporting America's independant farmers and ranchers is vital to our nation's future. People who own the land they're working and living on have a greater stake in protecting the long term health of their land and the welfare of their animals than absentee industrial operators.

By working with family farms and ranches, we are helping to strengthen rural America and reverse the destructive trend of industrial agriculture. In addition to providing a market for livestock, the Niman Ranch network provides a mechanism for farmers and ranchers to communicate and learn from one another about best practices for their animals and land.

We are inspired by and proud of the families that are part of Niman Ranch - many of whom are second generation partners in our network. Family farmers and ranchers are the keepers of traditional farming knowledge, information that is vital to protect and pass on to future generations.

Paul Willis

Paul Willis still lives on the farm where he grew up, in Thornton, IA about 100 miles north of Des Moines. Paul's passions have always included animals and taking care of the land. It is this passion that led him to join the Peace Corp where he worked as the Young Farmers Club Organizer for the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture. During his tenure, he grew the club's membership to over 10,000.

In 1995, Paul was looking for a way to market natural "free range" pigs when he met Bill Niman. Paul wanted to revitalize traditional hog farming in the Midwest at a time when economics forced many farmers to sell out or turn to factory/confinement hog growing. Niman Ranch offered the opportunity to raise pigs the humane, old-fashioned way and these outdoor-raised pigs quickly became a favorite among Niman Ranch customers.

Today, Paul manages a network of over 500 family hog farmers. In addition to managing the Niman Ranch pork operation, Paul still raises 2,500 Farmers' Hybrid hogs with his wife, Phyllis, and business partner, Jon Carlson, on the Willis Free Range Pig Farm. He also grows his own non-GMO soybeans and organic alfalfa and oats which are used for feed and bedding.