Get to know the bison on a very informative episode of The Main Course as Patrick Martins explores the bovine animal with Patrick Fitzsimons, VP of Thunderheart Bison. Listen in as Patrick explains what make bison such unique (and delicious) animals and how Thunderheart Bison have genetics that trace back all the way to a herd from legendary Texas cowboy Charles Goodnight. Learn about some interesting cuts of meat unique to bison like the hump roast and discover why natural breeding is far more effective than artificial insemination when it comes to these creatures. Patrick Fitzsimmons also discusses his work with the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA), an advocate for independent farmers, ranchers, livestock owners, and homesteaders. Later in the show, Patrick Martins checks in with Peter de Garma of PastaWorks, a lovely market on Hawthorne Ave in Portland, OR. Today's program was brought to you by Rolling Press.

"Bovine animals are designed to eat grass. They aren't desgiend to be in feedlots eating grain and going straight to the slaughterhouse. If possible - they need to be harvested right in the field - where they feel the least amount of stress." 05:00

"Most bison are very docile and happy to have you around as long as you don't pose a threat to them." 14:00

--Patrick Fitzsimons, VP of Thunderheart Bison

"Portland out Portlandia's Portlandia in many Portland ways." 47:00

--Peter de Garmo of PastaWorks

Tune in to a special episode of Cutting the Curd as Anne Saxelby is joined by Christian Seger and Lisa Seger of Blue Heron Farm. Learn how they went into overdrive making cheese as they took care of a group of refugee goats during the recent Texas wildfires. Learn how social media can come to the rescue, even for farmers, in emergencies. This episode was sponsored by Heritage Foods USA.

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon sits and chats with the ladies of Speed Rack. Speed Rack is a competition created for and by female bartenders to promote female bartenders. Hear from Ivy Mix, Lynette Marrero & Claire Bertin-Lang as they preview the upcoming competition on May 10th, 2012. Find out how intense the competition gets and what to expect from a room full of the most skilled women bartenders in the world! This program was sponsored by White Oak Pastures.

"This cocktail community spreads across the nation. We can all drop into any city and work with somebody." --Lynette Marrero of Speed Rack on The Speakeasy