If I'm not a part of any science program, how would I get a study started?

I would like to get a study started, but I am not a scientist. I know the junior college version of the scientific method and I watch a lot of nature documentaries, but I am still just a theater major/ temporary dropout. I would really like to start a study however. Specifically a veterinary nutritional study. I also am not rich enough to throw enough money at it to get anything started. How would one go about making this happen.