The Team

We're working with farms to improve the way we regulate and support farming and the environment.

If you'd like to get in contact with the editor, leave a comment on any post.

A fresh start for new entrants

The Team, 1 June 2022 - Payments for entering farming

It's hard to get started in farming, or any related land-based business. Newcomers to the industry (usually known as "new entrants") face all sorts of barriers. It's challenging for them to find land, secure finance and progress their businesses. When we published the Agricultural Transition Plan towards the end of 2020, we said that we would establish a support scheme for new entrants, and make the whole process easier. This blog post is an update on what we've learned so far by working collaboratively with people across the sector and the next steps.

6 months on: How the pilot is shaping the Sustainable Farming Incentive  

The Team, 26 May 2022 - environmental land management schemes, Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot

In November, we started to offer agreements to farmers taking part in the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot.  In this post, we'll share an overview of the things we’ve learned over the past 6 months and how we’re incorporating them into the design of the full scheme.

Tenant Farmers: share your views

The Team, 13 April 2022 - Ways to get involved

The Tenancy Working Group exists to ensure that new environmental land management schemes work for tenant farmers. The group is very keen to hear directly from tenant farmers and it has developed a survey to gather views. 

Video Diary: Farmer Jess Brooks on the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot

The Team, 11 April 2022 - A view from the farm, environmental land management schemes, Farmers, Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, Things we've learned

The Brooks Family joined the pilot to help us improve the Sustainable Farming Incentive. For over a century, the family has worked on South Thorness Farm, which is found on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight, within the Hamstead Heritage Coast Area Of Natural Beauty. Listen to how sisters Jess and Sarah, along with their parents Adrian and Joyce, run through the management of their farm and their decision to join the pilot.

Fertiliser: updates and support

The Team, 30 March 2022 - Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure, Sustainable Farming Incentive

The price of fertiliser has risen dramatically over the past year, but especially in recent months. Multiple global issues, including the war in Ukraine, have reduced gas and ammonium nitrate supply, forcing prices up. We know the impact of this affects the productivity and profit of farms in this country. We want to support our farmers through this growing season and beyond. In this post, we will share some updates in this area.

Animal Health and Welfare Grants: your chance to suggest items

The Team, 24 March 2022 - Payments to improve animal health and welfare, Ways to get involved

Farmers will be able to apply for grants to buy equipment, technology and infrastructure to improve the health and welfare of their animals. To make sure we are funding the items that farmers need to make a difference, we want to get a better idea of what we should include. Let us know your thoughts by the end of the month.

Video: Michael Orchard, livestock farmer, on the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot

The Team, 10 March 2022 - A view from the farm, environmental land management schemes, Farmers, Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, Things we've learned

We asked farmers helping us co-design the Sustainable Farming Incentive to share their experience in a video diary. In this video, Michael Orchard gives us a tour of his livestock farm in the Peak District National Park. He shares the improvements he’d like to see come out of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot.

Future Farming Podcast: Government-funded innovation

The Team, 28 February 2022 - Conversations we're having, Future Farming Podcast, Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure

In the seventh episode of the Future Farming podcast, Tim Mordan, Defra’s Head of Farming Innovation, Productivity and Science talks to Rui Andrês, CEO of Fieldwork Robotics, about their innovative raspberry robot picker.

Slurry: making the best of it 

The Team, 21 February 2022 - A view from the farm, Things we're doing, Things we've learned, Ways to get involved

Slurry contains lots of nutrients including nitrates, phosphate and potash as well as a host of other things that can benefit soil health and support crop growth. It can, however, create significant pollution to our water and air. Through co-design, our team joined with a group of farmers, industry leaders and experts to explore the subject. In this post, we’ll share what we’ve learned and how we plan to support farmers so that nutrients from slurry aren’t lost, that any damage to our environment is reduced and farmers aren’t dependent on expensive artificial fertilisers.

How we’re developing slurry grants 

The Team, 21 February 2022 - Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure

Today, we've blogged about how we're working with farmers and others across the industry to use slurry to our advantage. Farmers told us that finance often stands in the way of improving their slurry and nutrient management systems. Investing in slurry equipment and infrastructure is expensive. Particularly when it comes to integrating new technologies, techniques and building infrastructure. In this post, we'll share how we've been developing slurry grants to better support farmers and what to expect later this year. 

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.

Find out more

Talk to us

On 27 and 28 November, you can come and put your questions to us at the CropTec in Stoneleigh.

Find us at these shows and conferences.

Funding for farmers, growers and land managers in England

GOV.UK is the place to find official guidance and information.

Funding for farmers, growers and land managers sets out every payment on offer with links to learn more.

Get advice

The Farming Resilience Fund provides free, independent business support to farmers. If you’ve received direct payments since October 2022, you’re eligible. 

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

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) helps farmers in England protect water, air and soil. CSF advisers can provide advice on best practices and specific SFI actions that will benefit your farm business and the environment.

We’ve compiled a list of organisations offering wellbeing support to those in the farming community.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive

Find out how SFI can work for you.

Webinars in 2024

Attend upcoming webinars and watch recordings.

BPS and delinked payments

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England will be replaced with delinked payments in 2024.

Learn how they’re calculated and who’s eligible.

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