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Know How / Environmental schemes

Each of the UK’s devolved administrations has its own agri-environment scheme – for example, the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in England and the Agri-environment Climate Scheme in Scotland.

Find out what’s involved in signing up to a ‘green scheme’ and get practical tips on putting together your application.

Advice and tips

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Stacking income: What is it and how to do it on farm

Volatile prices and weather extremes have added risk and uncertainty to farm businesses while dwindling government support has caused a shortfall between pre- and post-Brexit incomes. To make up that…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Advice on preparing early for new grant funding applications

A new round of standalone Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants 2025-26 will open this summer worth £45m and funding a significant proportion of the cost of a wide range of…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

A guide to staying SFI compliant

Unlike more rigid support schemes of the past, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is all about giving farmers greater flexibility to make actions work for their farm, while simultaneously delivering…

ARABLE

Tips on achieving healthy hedgerows on farm

Hedges are a defining feature of our countryside and one of the best habitats for wildlife on any farm.  Far more than being a boundary, they also support farm business…

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Case studies

ARABLE

Herts farmer shows how production and biodiversity combine

A Hertfordshire arable farmer has won the prestigious Silver Lapwing Award for his long-standing commitment to species and habitat conservation. Andrew Bott of Finches Farm, Benington, was recognised by the…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How growers returned environmental schemes back to cropping

Land in environmental stewardship schemes returning to the arable rotation must be managed carefully to avoid unintended weed burdens. We talk to two growers about how they have managed the…

ARABLE

Suffolk farm faces tough decisions on environmental measures

Farmers are facing tough decisions on the future of environmental measures, as the Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme will end by December this year and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is…

ARABLE

How an award-winning arable farm combines business and nature

Bedingham Hall Farm near Bungay is maximising its environmental conservation, while remaining committed to profitable food production. It has done this by making full use of the natural features available…

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Insights

BUSINESS

How complex natural capital may provide local opportunities

The term natural capital covers a wide range of benefits provided by the natural environment, such as clean air and water, carbon-capturing plants and practices, alongside healthy soils. There are…

ARABLE

How environmental schemes are affecting UK arable area

The balance between food production and environmental schemes continues to be a major discussion, particularly as just over half of farms in England reduced cropping for harvest 2025 to take…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

New £150m capital grant scheme – act quickly to secure funds

The sudden removal of capital grants last autumn for farmers in England – without the promised six-weeks’ notice –  was just one of a number of shocks farmers have had…

FARM POLICY

How the Ffermio Bro agri-environment scheme is bedding in

The Welsh government’s agri-environmental scheme for its designated landscapes and national parks – called Ffermio Bro – has started in earnest since its launch in April. Aiming to encourage nature-friendly…

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News

FARM POLICY

Reynolds admits mistakes were made over sudden SFI closure

Defra secretary Emma Reynolds has conceded that her department “made mistakes” in the sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) earlier this year and must “learn lessons” to rebuild…

FARM POLICY

CS Higher Tier uncertainty piles pressure on farmers

Hundreds of England’s most environmentally committed farmers face mounting uncertainty as 430 Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreements are set to expire by 31 December 2025 – and only a…

BUSINESS

Welsh government extends peatlands grant scheme

Landowners wanting to restore peatlands in Wales can now apply for grants of between £10,000 and £250,000. The second round of funding under the Peatland Restoration Grant was launched on…

FARM POLICY

Defra grants one-year CS lifeline for 5,000 farmers  

More than 5,000 farmers in England will get a one-year reprieve on their Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements, after months of pressure forced Defra to extend vital environmental support due…

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