The way that farming is funded is changing and we want to support farmers and land managers through this transition.
One of the ways in which we are doing this is through the Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF).
The fund awards grants to organisations so that they can support farmers and land managers who are in receipt of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.
Today, (25 March) we’re inviting organisations to apply for funding.
This new phase will provide up to £9 million funding to organisations who will, in turn, support up to 9,000 farmers and land managers.
Resilience support should help individual farmers and land managers to learn more about:
- the impact of reductions to direct payments on their business
- how their business models might need to adapt
- business planning
- performance recording
- succession planning
We want farmers and land managers to feel supported to make the best decisions for their farms, families and future.
The support will be offered free of charge to farmers and land managers by organisations known and trusted in the farming community. It could be delivered in the form of workshops supported by experts or through direct, one-to-one advice.
We’ve had to revise the timetable for the roll-out of the fund given the timing of the launch of this tender exercise. We now expect that the support to farmers and land managers will be available from late July/ August rather than May. More information on the application and evaluation process can be found on GOV.UK.
The deadline for submitting applications is 7 May.
The successful grant applicants will be announced in July and support will be scaled up from April 2022. [UPDATE: We previously said that we would run the scale-up phase from April 2022, but we are now looking at a revised go-live date and will let you know when further information is available.]
Apply for a Future Farming Resilience Fund grant
We will keep you updated on the blog as we move forward, including a post about local providers once the grants have been awarded in July.
Do subscribe to Future Farming and sign up to Defra’s e-alerts if you haven't already.
9 comments
Comment by Angus Dalton posted on
Why would we need a resilience fund?
If the future ELMS options were just kept simple, instead of the complicated system of proposals on the table at present these 'helping' organisations wouldn't be needed.
Comment by Andrew Powley posted on
Hi Angus,
Feedback from stakeholders and farmers told us that many farmers and land managers could benefit from business support to help understand the changes that are happening and the best options for their businesses, this could include environmental land management schemes but there may be other options for improving their business model and resilience.
Andrew
Comment by Rob Yorke posted on
Hi Andrew
A vital sentence -
"The support will be offered free of charge to farmers and land managers by organisations known and trusted in the farming [and rural] community."
As Defra, and other public funded projects, are generally slewed towards procurement-paperwork-savvy established organisations, is there room for semi-formal groups of farmers/land managers to also apply to the FFRF? Especially as peer-to peer advice tends to gain best traction !
best, Rob Yorke http://www.robyorke.co.uk
Comment by Andrew Powley posted on
Hi Rob,
Yes, the FFRF is open to consortium bids and further details about the legal arrangements for consortia bids is included in the Invitation to Apply. ‘For-profit’ and not-for-profit organisations can also apply.
We particularly welcome proposals which draw on the expertise of experienced local advisors and networks, and this might include farmer support networks, banks, accountants, vets and charities.
Regards,
Andrew
Comment by s h ramsden posted on
Hi
i have gone through the FFRF project with a ADAS rep and it was a good pointer to where i could improve and maintain a good profit and income for my farming business.
with so much uncertainty of the future of farming with this new government policy, it's very uncertain where this is going to keep our heads above water with the complexity of support of its offering us for the survival of sustainable farming and the environment in the future on our islands.
good luck to you all, Stephen R
Comment by Anita Withers posted on
I just don’t know where or how to start 😩
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Anita,
Fear not. This is what the fund is designed to help with. We're paying advisers to help farmers understand the changes now we've left the EU and work out a plan for their businesses.
If you currently receive direct payments, the first thing to do is to take a look at this page: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2022/01/14/more-time-for-farmers-to-apply-for-free-business-advice/
It contains a list of all the advisers, the support they offer and where they offer it.
Some advisers will do presentations, others will speak to you one-on-one. You can give them a call or send them an email yourself.
It's totally free advice and the advisers are independent. We've also extended the window to allow you more time to get in contact.
Will you let me know how you get on?
Best wishes,
Sarah
PS: This page gives an overview of all the new schemes: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2021/06/23/how-farming-is-changing/
Comment by Dan posted on
Are farmers able to gain FFRS funded support from more than one organisation that offers different areas of support from another?
Comment by Sarah Stewart posted on
Hi Dan,
Farmers are welcome to get introductory help and information from multiple providers and they can attend multiple opening webinars or workshops, but they can only receive detailed 1-to-1 support from a single provider.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Sarah