Forget chickens.  Urban homesteading pioneer Allison Adams, who played a key role introducing Decatur to the world of backyard poultry, is taking it to the next level.

From her blog The Southern Urban Homestead…

Meet Nellie Oleson, my first baby bison.

Nellie arrived on a methane-powered livestock truck from a ranch in Montana. She is a domesticated breed of the American bison, meaning that genetically she has some cow in her. This makes her (and the additional head I will acquire as I gradually grow my herd) easier to manage as livestock — hopefully she won’t knock down the rain barrels, for example, or trample my dog in a stampede.

…I believe that the bison’s presence in our city signifies a restoration of this land’s once-great biodiversity, not to mention the virtues of homesteading at its most Ma Ingalls authentic. But don’t get too attached. My plan is to raise Nellie to become a protein source, and I’m really looking forward to a nice, thick rug for my own hearthside. In the meantime, the manure is working wonders for my early spring crops.

Allison says that the city has thus far been very helpful and will soon change its municipal code to “accommodate this most American of efforts.”  I can’t wait for that city commission meeting!