The government have announced the immediate closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) as of yesterday (11th March 2025). The announcement came with no warning and marks a huge loss both for the farming industry and the environment. What you need to do right now We will continue to support clients who have existing SFI […]
Posted on March 12th, 2025 by Alex Stafford-Clark
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) now comprises 102 actions aimed at protecting and benefiting the environment alongside supporting food production and increasing farm productivity. A well thought out SFI agreement can bring in significant income and help to replace the money previously received under the Basic Payments Scheme. It can also increase the efficiency of […]
Posted on January 16th, 2025 by Chris Ashley
The government has confirmed it has temporarily closed new applications for capital grants. It has stated that this is due to ‘unprecedented demand’ and a desire to ensure funding is available where it is most needed. Defra have also confirmed that applications that have already been submitted will be placed on hold. Grant funding will […]
Posted on November 28th, 2024 by Alex Stafford-Clark
Mark Spencer, DEFRA Farming Minister has recently (5th January 2023) announced Countryside Stewardship (CS) payments are to rise by an average of 10%. Capital payments will rise by an average of 48%. This is alongside other announcements which aim to make entering and administrating the scheme simpler and fairer. Feedback from farmers has led to […]
Posted on January 9th, 2023 by Ellen Cottrell
Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship is very similar to the old style ELS schemes. It is designed to provide environmental benefits at an on-farm level with a range of options that can suit most farming systems. What do Mid-Tier Stewardship schemes fund? Grant funding is available for land management practices which protect and enhance the natural environment, […]
Posted on June 8th, 2020 by Ellen Cottrell
*** The deadline is fast approaching for 2020 Countryside Stewardship applications to be made *** Water Capital Only Grant: Contact to be made with Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer by 31st May 2020 Mid-Tier special options: Contact to be made with RPA by 31st May 2020 Mid-Tier application request: Application to be requested by […]
Posted on May 28th, 2020 by Mike Cluley
With the upcoming changes to the subsidy regime, now is likely to be a good time for many farmers to consider entering into a Countryside Stewardship agreement. From 2021, Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments will be starting to be phased out through to a complete phasing out by 2028 making this year the last […]
Posted on May 20th, 2020 by Ellen Cottrell
The Agriculture Bill was published last week and now gives a clear idea of what the post Brexit policy will be in regards to the future subsidy regime and environmental schemes. In summary the Basic Payment will be phased out completely by 2028 and will be subject to reductions in payments in the interim periods. […]
Posted on September 17th, 2018 by Mike Cluley On Thursday 12th April Carver Knowles joined forces with Green Farm Seeds to put on a Countryside Stewardship workshop attended by farmers from Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. The evening focused on two important aspects of the scheme, the application process and the establishment and maintenance of the available options. The Government have stated that they will […]
Posted on April 23rd, 2018 by Mike Cluley
Following on from the launch of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) last month we are now able to see how the application process works in terms of physical paperwork and also get to grips with some of the lesser known compulsory scheme requirements. On the face of it, the Mid-Tier application paperwork is very similar […]
Posted on August 13th, 2015 by Mike Cluley