Prospective producers may want to know what is the key to running a smaller operation?
According to the Sparke family who own and operate Redleaf Farm, approximately five kilometres from Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands, the best way is to diversify your revenue streams.
And that is exactly what they have done.
Sam and Katrina Sparke and their four children run a wide range of animals on 28 hectares (70 acres) while their property also includes 81ha (200ac) of bushland adjacent to Meryla State Forest.
"As a small farm, we try to maximise our production by utilising the different grazing practices and fertilisation capabilities of each stock class in a rotational system, with our main focus on improving our soils," Katrina said.
"We are a registered Land for Wildlife property and pride ourselves on ethically raising our animals, free ranging using rotational grazing and regenerative agriculture principles.
"We are best known for our free range heritage Saddleback suckling pigs and Border Leicester x Merino lambs.
"Redleaf Farm has been awarded multiple delicious awards for our pork and lamb.
"We also raise pure bred Scottish Highland cattle.
"There are now six majestic females in our fold and a few young steers and bulls growing.
"We also have goats, horses, fowl of many kinds and even a mini donkey."
The a very low-impact, natural approach to their animal production systems.
"We let our animals live in family groups, rather than having specific mating seasons," Katrina said.
"With the pigs, it is the females who will break any fence to get to a boar when they are in season!
"We usually have a Highland bull in for a working holiday once calves are weaned - which is not before they are six months old.
"Piglets are usually weaned on their bad day, between 10 and 20 weeks, depending on demand.
"We don't take all piglets from a litter at once, allowing the sow to dry off more naturally and preventing the risk of mastitis.
"We supply lamb and suckling pig to many local restaurants - and a few restaurants and butchers in Sydney also.
"These are processed at Picton abattoir which is our closest.
"For our own consumption, we butcher on farm.
"The taste difference is incredible.
"Happy animals sure taste better, and reducing the stress of transport also makes a difference.
"My children help with this process and are able to do lamb, wild deer and pigs, although de-hairing is a lot of hard work."
Redleaf Farm has five distinct soil types which impacts pasture management and growing options.
It has a mixture of native pastures along with a few improved paddocks and native bushland.
With a mind towards soil improvement, the Redleaf's grazing practices are integral to the farming ecosystem.
To help spread the natural fertiliser left by the animals, the Sparkes regularly harrow.
By grazing in smaller areas, they are also able to improve the pasture by grazing and then resting.
"Our rotational system is very flexible," Katrina said.
"There are so many variables that cannot be dictated by a programme.
"Seasons, rainfall, grass types, animal gestation and nutritional requirements all play a part in our decisions.
"Having a connection with the land and learning to observe nature's signs helps us to know when it is right to move animals, and when to rest pastures.
"Our best paddock is a deep rich red basalt, and we planted it first after the devastation of drought and bushfires.
"We timed things right and got a great crop of native grasses, clovers and rye.
"We applied some liquid seaweed fertiliser and also pelletised worm casting for long term soil health.
"The shallow sandstone based west facing paddock is full of native grasses, shrubs and Eucalypts - not ideal for ploughing or planting but it does provide a perfect balance for year round grazing options.
"Our pig paddocks are rotated and the last rotation we planted a barley crop which they loved.
"Our pigs eat better than many people I know.
"We have a great symbiosis with a local craft brewer Eden Brew, and we feed their spent grain to the pigs while still hot several times a week.
"Added to this is fresh fruit and vegetable waste from two local supermarkets that would otherwise go to landfill.
"Its nutritious and the variety is great for the pigs - whose digestive system is very similar to humans."
Smaller livestock operations can not afford to lose any animals to predators and managing this is key at Redleaf.
"We have had issues with wild dogs during the drought and regularly have foxes around," Katrina said.
"We try to minimise any chemical input on the farm, as baits may end up affecting our wildlife.
"So the best method is managing it ourselves.
"I have several very nice fox scarves."
Visitors a welcome addition to Redleaf Farm
In their quest to make the most out of Redleaf Farm, Sam and Katrina Sparke came up with an exciting and viable option.
They realised that the lifestyle they and with their four children have on the farm near Fitzroy Falls was something most people who live in the city never get to see.
While farmstays are proving a popular way to provide additional income, the Sparkes put an interesting twist on theirs.
"Opening our farm to let others have a glimpse of farm life seemed a great way to educate a broader group of people about small scale sustainable agriculture and diversify our income," Katrina said.
"We are passionate about reducing waste, and recycling something old with character and charm appealed more than building something new.
"To minimise the footprint on the farm, the train carriage seemed a great option - a 'tiny house' with a reason.
"Plus the nostalgic romance of train travel lends a certain appeal and uniqueness that we love.
"We found one 1890 carriage in a junk yard in western Sydney, and whilst waiting for it to be moved we found the 1920s carriage on gumtree - in a backyard in Bega!
"The logistics of moving them was ridiculous, but we have never shied away from a challenge.
"Little did we know that the main challenge would be council approvals."
The Redleaf carriages have proven to be a popular getaway destination.
Katrina said getting many different types of visitors adds to the appeal.
"We get such a varied type of visitor, including lots of families who are after some screen free family time, to couples wanting a quiet private escape," she said.
"We also welcome visitors for farm tours.
"These vary from agriculture students to families and people just wanting to see some animals.
"Without doubt almost all our visitors are looking for a real, raw, reconnect with nature.
"Guests breathe fresh air, and experience life on a real farm, albeit a small one.
"There are animals to see, bushwalks to go on, rocky outcrops to explore, stars to gaze at and trees to climb."
