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In 1994, Paul met Bill Niman and learned about Niman Ranch. Niman Ranch is a leading producer, processor and marketer of fine quality beef, lamb, and pork. The company raises its own beef cattle and purchases pigs and lambs raised by independent family farmers. They only accept animals which have been raised following a strict code of ecological practices and husbandry principles, including; humane treatment of animals, feed which contains no waste or animal byproducts, and sustainable land management. Also, all animals must be raised without the use of growth hormones or indiscriminant antibiotics. Niman Ranch distributes its products to fine restaurants and retailers across the country, and directly to consumers via an online store. Every year, Niman Ranch has a dinner honoring their farmers where they invite acclaimed chefs from across the country to prepare a gourmet meal using sustainable grown Iowa meat and produce. It is described by Paul as "the food event of the year in Iowa." Paul and Phyllis also invite the chefs to their farm to meet the pigs and share in an Iowa homegrown meal. "It's great to have the chefs and farmers connect," Paul explains. Paul is manager of Niman Ranch Pork Company, on offshoot of Niman Ranch, which is a collection of independent family farmers who share Paul's belief that pigs should be raised naturally, without the use of hormones or antibiotics. Willis is a member of the Sierra Club and also works closely with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the organization that developed the On-Farm Pig Husbandry Standards adhered to by farmers who market to Niman Ranch. For more information, visit http://www.nimanranch.com.
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Paul and Phyllis Willis have been farming since the mid-1970s. The Willis's raise their pigs outdoors or in straw bedded hoop houses or barns, never confining them in crates or barren pens. In order to maintain the health of his land, Paul rotates his pastures so that each area is used for pasturing pigs one year and then planted with crops the following four years. His pastures are certified organic. He raises his hogs without the use of antibiotics or hormones and does not feed them any animal by-products. Willis' goal is to raise his animals as naturally as possible.