An artisanal dairy that makes both lifestyle and financial sense

Preston Farm, home to La Petite France dairy, is situated just outside Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. It is the picture of countryside perfection, with cattle grazing in lush, flower-dotted pastures, and pathways winding between old oak trees and milking sheds.

The renowned Karkloof Farmers’ Market can also be found at the entrance to the farm, providing patrons with a tranquil view of the surroundings as they tuck into cheese produced from the milk of cows just a stone’s throw away.

Preston is owned and run by Grant Warren, who says that while his family farm is partially set up to allow for a country lifestyle, it is nevertheless a business that needs to remain financially viable. But in the dairy industry, where margins are low, this isn’t easy to achieve.

“The number of smaller dairies in South Africa is