Small Farm Living
The Small Farm Living Project supports smallholders in the NRM North region to care for their natural resources and achieve sustainable productivity and biodiversity goals on their properties.
Background
Background
The Small Farm Living Project was launched after NRM North recognised a growing need and opportunity to provide land management advice and support to smallholders in the region.
The Project has benefited smallholders by facilitating knowledge sharing and skill development through workshops and events including the highly regarded biennial Small Farm Living Field Day. Weed management and animal biosecurity were part of a broad spectrum of potential risks and issues addressed, enabling the community to identify and care for the valuable natural resources in their area, and creating a positive impact on wider conservation and biodiversity efforts.
In addition to support for environmental works on properties including native habitat protection and revegetation, the Small Farm Living Project has provided Property Management Planning (PMP) support to smallholders and an online resource centre.
The Small Farm Living Project works with small landholders throughout the northern Tasmania NRM region.
Horses present unique pasture management challenges for landholders.
Project Plan
Project Plan
When the Small Farm Living Project began in July 2012, funding was provided by the Australian Government’s Biodiversity Fund. During this time the Project identified an increase in ‘rural living’ properties, accompanied by an emerging sector of landowners with limited background in land management, often lacking in local support networks to approach for advice.
Acknowledging the Project’s considerable value, when the original funding concluded in June 2014 NRM North resolved to explore alternative funding avenues. From then to May 2021, the Project was predominately self-funded by NRM North, and from May 2021 to June 2023 the Small Farm Living Project received funding through the National Landcare Program: Smart Farms Small Grants (Round 4).
As of July 2023, Small Farm Living Project is again self-funded through NRM North, providing ongoing access to the DIY Property Planning Tool and associated resources. In October 2024, oversight of the Small Farm Living Project moved from NRM North's Biodiversity Program to the Sustainable Agriculture Program.
Small landholders seeking specific advice or assistance are encouraged to contact NRM North’s Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators:
Adeel Afzal aafzal@nrmnorth.org.au and Sushma Banala sbanala@nrmnorth.org.au
DIY Property Planning Tool
DIY Property Planning Tool
The Small Farm Living DIY Property Planning tool is designed to help smallholders get the most out of their property by understanding their limitations, and adopting practices to achieve their plans and goals.
Preparing a property plan is also a great way to ensure that everyone involved with the property has a shared vision, or to identify and explore different expectations and priorities between partners or family members.
This tool is freely available to all landholders in Tasmania.
Restoring river habitats: Liz Mahnken's property plan success - Case Study 1
Restoring river habitats: Liz Mahnken's property plan success - Case Study 1
Rick and Liz Mahnken, from Summerlea Farm in Tasmania's northeast, run a small beef cattle operation. Rick's family have lived in the area for six generations.
While the farming enterprise has been the family's main focus, the Mahnkens are passionate about improving biodiversity values.
In 2020, Rick and Liz received a grant from NRM North to restore and repair river habitat, with newly fenced areas restricting stock access to the river and thousands of native trees being planted.
Liz said they've been working with NRM North since the beginning of their farm regeneration journey after attending a Small Farm Living Property Planning workshop in Lilydale. Since then, native trees are thriving as are future opportunities.
The Mahnkens are encouraging others to take up opportunities to improve biodiversity values and natural assets on their properties.
Managing a small property can be daunting. Whether you have inherited an acreage, made a change from urban life, or moved from interstate, there is a lot to know and a lot to do! The Small Farm Living DIY Property Planning tool is designed to capture the most important information and help you set realistic goals.
Start your property planning journey today with our free DIY online tool.
Liz Mahnken is preparing everything for the dedicated volunteers who have joined NRM North staff to plant native seedlings at Summerlea Farm in Lilydale to restore and repair river habitat.
"We've learned so much … we can integrate the planting into our emerging agritourism business."
"We've learned so much … we can integrate the planting into our emerging agritourism business."
Liz Mahnken
Liz Mahnken
Stock exclusion fencing and riparian buffers benefits biodiversity values, and improves water quality and resilience to erosion and flooding.
Transforming waterways: Tim & Katherine Reed's sustainable farm management - Case Study 2
Transforming waterways: Tim & Katherine Reed's sustainable farm management - Case Study 2
Meet Tim and Katherine Reed, who have turned their 95-hectare farm at Rosevale into a model of sustainability!
When they purchased the property in 2013, Pipers Lagoon Creek and two other unnamed waterways that traverse the property were unfenced, used for stock water, lacked significant vegetation, and had areas of bank erosion.
NRM North provided property planning support to the Reeds and now, with the help of a comprehensive farm plan, they’ve fenced waterways, planted thousands of native plants, and created thriving wildlife corridors.
Tim said the improvements have allowed him to achieve his goals sooner and with less financial pressure.
A well-structured farm plan is essential for managing your property sustainably. The Small Farm Living DIY Property Planning Tool is here to help you do just that. Capture important information, set realistic goals, and ensure everyone involved shares the same vision.
Plan your property's future today! Use the DIY Property Planning Tool
Soil health matters: Rod Maslovsky's journey to better farming - Case Study 3
Soil health matters: Rod Maslovsky's journey to better farming - Case Study 3
It's early days for Rod Maslovsky, who runs a small beef cattle operation at his property near Sidmouth in northern Tasmania. As a relative newcomer to farming, Rod said, getting as much advice as possible, such as information about soil health, is greatly appreciated. Some of this advice came from NRM North through support for property planning but now some of this advice can be accessed directly for free.
The Small Farm Living DIY Property Planning Tool includes a section to guide users who want to delve into soil health. Soil health can be complex, with a wealth of information that can feel overwhelming.
This sections the DIY Property Plannng Tool can help you to:
- Map your soil types and contours
- Identify soil management issues
- Understand soil capability and limitations
- Get started with crucial basics like testing and adjusting pH levels
This free tool ensures you set realistic goals and make informed decisions for your farm. Discover soil health sections and other key tools to manage your small farm more effectively with our DIY tool!
Assessing soil structure and texture while soil sampling through NRM North’s Soil Extension Program.
Once established, thousands of native species will provide important habitat for eastern barred bandicoots.
Creating wildlife heavens: Tim & Helen Zichy-Woinarski's habitat success - Case Study 4
Creating wildlife heavens: Tim & Helen Zichy-Woinarski's habitat success - Case Study 4
For the last 20 years, Tim and Helen Zichy-Woinarski have dedicated their property in Legana to wildlife care and rehabilitation. By participating in a project with NRM North, they created a thriving habitat for the eastern barred bandicoot, planting 2,800 native plants and monitoring wildlife activities.
Farms and agricultural land play a crucial role in preserving our flora and fauna. Small properties often have vital patches of native vegetation that can serve as habitat stepping-stones. Enhancing these natural values not only benefits biodiversity but also boosts the resilience and productivity of your farm.
An important step in undertaking this type of work was property planning. If you want to learn more about how to do this yourself, the Small Farm Living DIY Property Planning Tool can help you understand and improve your property's biodiversity and habitat. This tool guides you in:
- Assessing your property's natural values
- Enhancing habitats for native species
- Creating a sustainable and productive farm environment
Join the movement to create sustainable habitats! Start your property plan today here
"We have seen a significant increase in wildlife scats and photos of bandicoots on the property … it has been a great project to be involved in, particularly knowing we have created a wonderful native area for the local wildlife."
"We have seen a significant increase in wildlife scats and photos of bandicoots on the property … it has been a great project to be involved in, particularly knowing we have created a wonderful native area for the local wildlife."
Helen Zichy-Woinarski
Helen Zichy-Woinarski
Small Farm Living Field Day
Small Farm Living Field Day
The Small Farm Living Field Day is a biennial event organised by NRM North. Previous events have attracted hundreds of community members keen to find out more about how to make the most of their smallholding.
The field day aims to help small farm owners thrive by providing tailored information and resources to manage their properties effectively, in contrast to events typically tailored to larger commercial farmers.
Previous events have included workshops on several topics including, Weed management, Integrated pest management, Livestock, animal health and biosecurity, Healthy soils / pasture growth, Wildlife monitoring/camera trapping, Revegetation for wildlife, Cat management, Fencing demonstrations, Butchery demonstrations
The most recent Small Farm Living Field Day was held on 12 November 2023, in partnership with Lilydale Landcare with the support of the City of Launceston.
Resources
Resources
Quick Q&A
Quick Q&A
There are multiple ways for small landholders to get involved:
- Explore NRM North’s online resources, for relevant information on a broad range of topics
- Access the DIY Property Planning tool
- Download the Property Management Planning (PMP) workbook from NRM North
- Download the Small Holding Self-Assessment Tool from NRM North
- Join us at an event
- Contact NRM North’s Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator for specific advice or assistance.
The Property Management Planning resources and support provided by NRM North can assist you to:
- identify assets and issues
- set goals and map future plans for sustainable management and production
- prioritise actions to achieve property goals
- source information, resources and technical assistance
- undertake a property risk assessment
- use the self-assessment guides, downloadable above, to undertake current and future scenario mapping
- landholders in the NRM North region are also welcome to contact us to receive hard copy workbooks, advice and assistance with the self-assessment guides.