#72: Fit-For-Purpose Farming with Jacob Wolki from Wolki Farms Artwork

A Place to Call Home | Stories from Australian Agriculture

A Place to Call Home, hosted by Sam Fryer, is a podcast for the next generation of Australian primary producers, sharing the stories, lessons and insights from people building a life on the land.

Through honest conversations with farmers, industry leaders and rural entrepreneurs, each episode explores the journeys behind agriculture — the successes, the challenges, and the decisions that shape life in rural Australia.

Guests share first-hand experiences from across the industry, along with practical knowledge to help guide those looking to build their future in agriculture and find a place to call home.

Whether you're already farming, looking to return to the land, or simply passionate about the future of Australian agriculture, this podcast is here to support the journey.

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A Place to Call Home | Stories from Australian Agriculture

#72: Fit-For-Purpose Farming with Jacob Wolki from Wolki Farms

December 13, 2025 • Season 6 • Episode 12

0:00 | 1:07:58

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G'day and welcome to episode 72 of the A Place To Call Home Podcast

Today I’m joined by Jacob (Jake) Wolki, a mixed-enterprise farmer from Woomargama in southern New South Wales. Jake and his wife Ann run a 60-hectare home block with Nguni cattle, Berkshire pigs, laying hens, honey, an orchard and a stack of little side enterprises – all feeding into their on-farm butchery and direct-to-consumer business.

What started as a personal health crisis and a backyard veggie patch has evolved into a fully fledged, multi-layered farm business: regenerative, direct-to-consumer, value-adding, and fiercely family-centred. Jake is also known for creating one of Australia’s first 24/7 unstaffed butcher shops, his unapologetically honest social media, and his advocacy for “fit-for-purpose” African genetics like Nguni cattle and Damara sheep.

Whether you’re dreaming of stacking enterprises, going direct-to-consumer, or just want your kids more involved in the day-to-day, this yarn is packed with hard-won lessons, uncomfortable truths and plenty of practical inspiration.

In this episode we chat about

How a health crisis pushed Jacob from the “stupid Australian diet” into growing food and building a regenerative farm business.
The journey from leasing his dad’s 100-acre block to creating a fully integrated farm, butchery and nationwide direct-to-consumer model.
Why he built one of Australia’s first 24/7 unstaffed butcher shops — and how it transformed the business.
The power of value-adding: turning trim, fat and “waste” into high-margin products like tallow, broth and skincare.
Why Jacob chooses African genetics like Nguni cattle and Damara sheep for fit-for-purpose, low-input, resilient farming.

Resources Mentioned

Follow Jacob and Wolki Farms

📘 Facebook: Wolki Farms
📸 Instagram: @Wolkifarms
🌏 Website:Wolki Farm Grass Fed Meat

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