The Small Farm Living Program offers support to smallholders in the NRM North region to care for their natural resources and achieve biodiversity and sustainable productivity goals on their small, non-commercial lifestyle properties.
Focus
The Small Farm Living Program benefits smallholders by facilitating knowledge sharing and skill development through smaller events and workshops, promoting the availability of funding for on-ground environmental work, facilitating smallholder property management planning and providing a web-based resource centre. The program also hosts the biennial Small Farm Living Field Day, held in partnership with Lilydale Landcare.
Value
In 2012, NRM North recognised a growing need and opportunity to provide land management advice and support to smallholders in the region. An increase in ‘rural living’ properties was accompanied by an emerging sector of landowners with limited background in land management, often lacking in local support networks to approach for advice. Weed management and animal biosecurity are part of a broad spectrum of potential risks and issues addressed in the Small Farm Living Program, enabling the community to identify and care for the valuable natural resources in their area, creating a positive impact on wider conservation and biodiversity projects.
Delivery
The Small Farm Living Program began in July 2012 through funding provided by the Australian Government’s Biodiversity Fund and has been self-funded by NRM North. Now funded by the National Landcare Program: Smart Farms Small Grants (Round 4), the project will deliver:
DIY Property Planning Tool
While living on a rural property is often a dream come true, 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. 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.
Use of this free online tool is made possible by NRM North’s Small Farm Living Program, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
Resources
Quick Q&A
There are multiple ways for small landholders to get involved in the Small Farm Living Program:
The Property Management Planning resources and support provided by NRM North can assist you to:
Use the self-assessment guides, downloadable from our publications and resources (use filters 'Biodiversity' and 'Small Farm Living'), to undertake current and future scenario mapping. Landholders in the NRM North region are welcome to contact us to receive hard copy workbooks, advice and assistance with the self-assessment guides.
This project is supported by NRM North, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants (Round 4).
This project is supported by NRM North, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants (Round 4).
Return to the Biodiversity Program.
Safeguarding northern Tasmania as a refuge for Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
Promoting the expansion and recovery of Giant Freshwater Crayfish.
Working with community, government and key stakeholders to promote responsible cat management across Tasmania.
Reducing threats to Hooded Plover breeding success in northern Tasmania.
Actions to conserve the critically endangered plant.
Protecting the ecological character of the Floodplain Lower Ringarooma River Ramsar site.