Michael Sturla

Michael Sturla is a Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager in the Farming and Countryside Programme.

Farming Podcast: making SFI work on our upland beef and sheep farm

Michael Sturla, Graham Higgins and Kate Ward, 7 February 2024 - Future Farming Podcast, Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot

In this episode of the Defra Farming podcast, regional engagement lead Michael Sturla talks to Robin and Christopher Milton. The father and son team farm beef and sheep on the Exmoor uplands and have a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement. They describe their experience applying for an agreement, the actions they're undertaking and the benefits.

Watch: Funding for farmers webinar

Michael Sturla and Rosie Morgan, 7 September 2023 - Grants, Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure, Payments to improve animal health and welfare, Sustainable Farming Incentive, Things we're doing, Webinars

On Wednesday 6 September, we held a webinar for farmers to learn more about the funding available in England. In this post, you can watch a recording of the session.

Our virtual farm visits

Michael Sturla, 18 February 2021 - Conversations we're having, Things we're doing

Farm visits are an opportunity for farmers to tell us about the issues they are facing and to make clear the realities of farming. Due to COVID-19, physical farm visits stopped. The experience was too valuable to abandon, so we created virtual farm visits instead. Michael Sturla shares more.

About us

This blog is managed by Defra’s Farming and Countryside Programme.

On this blog, we explain the reforms to agricultural policy in England.

We share what we’re working on, what we’re learning and how you can get involved.

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Funding for farmers, growers and land managers

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On 10 May, we’ll be at the Nottinghamshire County Show in Newark. Come and say hello to our team.

You can also find us at these agricultural shows and conferences in 2025.

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The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provide free, confidential advice to farmers and advisers.

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Webinars in 2025

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