John Holtorf was born and raised on the Buffalo Springs Ranch near Akron. He attended Akron High School and Colorado A & M College, now Colorado State University. After serving in the U.S. Army, Holtorf returned to the family ranch and, in 1961, took the reins of leadership as manager of the 8,000-acre ranch. Under his management, John implemented many innovative practices, including artificial insemination, estrus synchronization and rotational grazing. In the mid-1980s, John and his brother, Tom, became one of the first certified natural and organic beef producers and feeders in the region.