Test and trial: Learning from the North Cumbria Farmers Group
In the latest video in the series about the North Cumbria Farmers Group Test and Trial, uplands livestock farmers Steve and Colin explain their reasons for taking part.
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.
Apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive
Posted by:
The Team, Posted on:
-
Categories:
Payments to better understand moorland, Payments to improve soil health, Sustainable Farming Incentive
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is now open for applications via the Rural Payments service. Through the SFI, farmers will be paid for looking after the natural environment in the course of their farming. This initial offer will pay farmers for taking care of their soil or assessing the condition of moorland. In this post, we'll …
Soil health: a UK-wide discussion
In this post, we'll share a summary of the second meeting of the UK Agriculture Partnership (UKAP). It was held at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise in Northern Ireland. The topic of the meeting was soil health.
Farming Investment Fund: Adding Value grants open for applications from 9 June
Following publication of the Adding Value manual on 23 May, the online checker is now open for you to apply. This £30 million fund offers grants focused on supporting farmers and growers to process, diversify and add value to their eligible agricultural products after they are harvested or reared. It offers grants of between £25,000 and …
How we’re making sure all farm businesses can fairly access money released from Basic Payments
The government has committed to maintain the farming budget for England at £2.4 billion per year throughout this parliament. We will be gradually reducing spending on Basic Payments each year over the next 6 years. Instead, we will make the money available to farmers through one-off grants for capital investment in equipment and technology, and …
A fresh start for new entrants
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 …
6 months on: How the pilot is shaping the Sustainable Farming Incentive
Posted by:
The Team, Posted on:
-
Categories:
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 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
Posted by:
The Team, Posted on:
-
Categories:
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 …
Fertiliser: updates and support
Posted by:
The Team, Posted on:
-
Categories:
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 …
Related content and links
Talk to us
Say hello to the team this October.
29 October Norfolk Landscapes Conference & Exhibition, Norfolk, Norwich
31 October Borderway Agri Expo, Rosehill, Carlisle
You can find us at these agricultural shows and conferences in 2025 and 2026.
Get advice
The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provides 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 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.
