popular, Tasty, (less) pricey

Many people enjoy lamb in their diet. If your family is among them, and you have access or skills to butcher, you can put lamb in your freezer for far less than retail by buying live. Support a local custom butcher shop or do it yourself. In our family, we are OK not having the cuts that require a bone saw.

pasture pets

Shetland sheep can be quite friendly. They mow the foliage in a space while returning nutrients to the soil. A pair of ewes, wethers (neutered rams), or one of each, handled frequently from a young age can provide a friendly and engaging source of fiber for minimal input.

raise your own

A hardy, smaller, tame-able sheep with the potential for very usable wool, a breeding set of Sheltand sheep can maintain your pasture, produce meat for your table, and provide wool for your textile needs. Shearing is a matter of practice (roving shearers do exist, though, if you want to hire that out). Processing the wool from fleece to yarn is a satisfying winter project, and provides unique materials for knitters, crocheters & felters you may know. Too much wool? It’s great for mulch in the garden-yard!