Results of research carried out in 1993 on 13 family farms in the Olsztyn province are presented in the paper, Small farm area - 15 ha of arable land - and positive attitudes of farm owners towards their participation in research constituted basic criteria of farm selection. Advantageous effects of employment and livestock proportions on the value of agricultural income and final financial results were established on the basis of daily calculations done by farmers participating in research, and concerning their proceeds and expenses.