Rick Braaton owns a small, family owned farm in South Dakota with 120 acres of rich, fertile soil. It sits on what once was an old river bed now covered with lush grass loaded with natural minerals and other nutrients. Rick was born 53 years ago on a farm and has been working with the land and cattle ever since. He loves the farmer's life, his children, and his wife.

The cows are healthy and content and treated humanely. In fact, Rick does better than that. The cows are treated like pets!

During the cold, winter months, Rick spreads bails of straw to provide warm bedding for the cows and changes it frequently for cleanliness.

The cows' water is always fresh and mostly well-water from natural springs. Their drinking water is heated all winter long to keep the cows (and their stomachs) nice and warm. During inclement weather when the cows are in the barn, they listen to easy listening, country western music to keep them calm and content.

The cows are brought in from the pasture each night and also during rain and snow where they find shelter. Rick doesn't have to round them up with his horse, he just calls them and they come, just like pets. In fact, many of them have names.

There's no prodding the cows with a hot shot (a pole that shocks them with electricity). If the cows need to be moved, it's done by hand.

All cattle are cared for by Rick himself their entire lives. Keeping the farm small and manageable enables him to properly care for them the old fashioned "Braaton" way.