As soon as she could walk and talk, Isabella Tondi developed a love of bison while visiting her grandparents’ bison farm in Mount Calvary.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Agronomy, Isabella landed her dream job on one of Ted Turner’s bison ranches in Nebraska. In Nebraska, she honed the skills necessary to raise America’s national mammal.
In 2021, a family medical emergency required Isabella to return to her family home in Kenosha County, leaving behind her beloved job in Nebraska. She hoped to return someday, but fate played its fickle hand. An old family friend came to visit, bringing along his son, whom Bella hadn’t seen since she was five years old. Sparks flew and, as they say, the rest is history. Returning to Nebraska couldn’t happen.
Johnny Ott, a lifelong suburban kid who went to college on a fishing scholarship and works in television, fell in love not only with Isabella but also with bison. Johnny wisely surmised that wearing a Carhart jacket and driving a tractor were far more impressive to this country girl than designer clothes and nights on the town. A year later, Johnny and Isabella moved to Malone to develop more bison experience at the grandparents’ farm.
On Jan. 1, 2026, Isabella and Johnny purchased Bluestem Bison LLC. The herd currently consists of about 50 animals, but the goal of the second-generation bison farmers is to grow to 100 head. Isabella’s primary job is with USDA-NRCS in Fond du Lac. She is also currently the secretary of the Wisconsin Bison Producers Association. Johnny continues to work in television.
