We're dying to get a calf. Our plan is to fence off 1.25 acres and to let it munch on our luscious pasture grass. After about 4 to 6 months, we'd kill the fatted calf and (hopefully) have meat for a year, and then we'd repeat the process.

I've gotten rough estimates for the fence, and it looks like it's going to cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000. That's not chump change, but we might be able to get it done this spring or early summer. In the meantime one of the patriarchs of our community -- a nice older man who lives down the road -- has offered to possibly let us raise a calf in one of his fields. The beauty of the scenario is the field is right next to ours, so we'd be practically raising the calf in our back yard. If this plan pans out we might be able to get a calf within the next couple of months. Awesome!