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With much discussion of the benefits of eating local produce in the media in 2008 and 2009 we took a look smallholding, where people set aside an area of land for small scale farming.

Some people choose to rear pigs or cows for meat, others keep chickens for eggs while some simply grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Jason and Matt's herd of pigs

With Guernsey's rich heritage in farming many different forms of smallholding exist, we started out by talking to two men who are keeping pigs to provide meat for the shop they work at and chickens for their eggs.

Another animal that is appropriate for smallholding is sheep as they are relatively easy to look after and can be popular with the general population, especially in lambing season. Not only that but they can also provide meat and wool.

If you are interested in starting a slightly larger form of smallholding a good animal might be cows. While they can provide both meat and dairy produce Ben Wallace told us that in smallholding terms dairy produce is not practical but a well kept Guernsey cow can give a nice type of beef.

From larger scale smallholding to something that can be kept in an area as small as a back garden - bees. Chris Tomlins from the Guernsey Beekeeping Association said keeping bees has become very popular in Guernsey and they provide honey as well as keeping any other fruit and vegetables you grow pollinated.

Rosie's garden

As well as livestock there is always the possibility of 'growing your own' on a smallholding. Rosie Dorey does just that and said that, depending on how much you grow, not only you but your friends and neighbours can benefit from you growing fruit and vegetables.