Get ready to apply for SFI26
Get ready to apply for SFI26
Initial information on the SFI26 scheme is now live on GOV.UK for farmers who may be eligible to apply in Window 1.
Putting your questions to us
Posted by:
Janet Hughes, Posted on:
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Categories:
Conversations we're having, Farming and Countryside Team, Q&A
We’re going to do a monthly Q&A session on The Farming Forum. In this post, I'll share our approach to Q&As and links to the ones we've taken part in.
The Farming Investment Fund launches today
Posted by:
Gordon Jones, Posted on:
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Categories:
Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure
I’m pleased to say that the Farming Investment Fund launches today. The fund provides grants to farmers, growers, and foresters (including related contractors) so that they can invest in the things they need to improve productivity and enhance the natural environment. In this post, I'll share how you can apply and find out more.
Meet the team: Policy Adviser Emma and her background in agriculture
Posted by:
Emma Bailey-Beech, Posted on:
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Categories:
environmental land management schemes, Farmers in Defra, Things we've learned
In this post, Emma Bailey-Beech writes about her background in agriculture and how it led to working on the Future Farming and Countryside Programme. We’re grateful to have people in the team with hands-on experience in the farming sector, and can bring it to bear on our work.
Farm visit: Challacombe Farm on Dartmoor
Posted by:
Sarah Blatchford, Posted on:
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Categories:
A view from the farm, Things we're doing, Things we've learned
Farm visits are a useful way for us to understand the context in which farmers work and what’s important to them. In this post, I'd like to share what I learned during a recent visit to Challacombe Farm on Dartmoor.
An update on the Farming Investment Fund
In this post, we provide an update on the Farming Investment Fund.
Tests and trials: innovative payment mechanisms
Posted by:
Louise Maguire, Posted on:
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Categories:
Conversations we're having, environmental land management schemes, Things we've learned
One area we’re exploring in tests and trials is the role that innovative payment mechanisms might play in future environmental land management schemes. In this post we share what we’ve learned about reverse auctions so far in tests and trials.
Bigger, better, more joined-up conservation on farms
Posted by:
Dr Robert Hawkes, Posted on:
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Categories:
A view from the farm, Guest post, Things we're doing, Things we've learned
If you want to encourage more of the right wild plants and insects on a group of farms, what parts of your farm should you target to get the best results? This is the question conservation scientist Dr Robert Hawkes explored with colleagues from the University of East Anglia, the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network and Defra.
Your questions about the Future Farming Resilience Fund
Last week I wrote a blog post encouraging farmers and land managers to take advantage of the free business support and advice on offer through the Future Farming Resilience Fund. Some people have been in touch to ask various questions about the fund. I wanted everyone to see the responses, so I thought I’d address them in this blog …
Update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot
Posted by:
Lisa Applin and Tom Lewis, Posted on:
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Categories:
Conversations we're having, environmental land management schemes, Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, Things we're doing, Things we've learned
In July, we opened the applications window for farmers to join our Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot. In this post, Lisa Applin (Rural Payments Agency) and Tom Lewis (Future Farming and Countryside Programme) share the results of the application process, what the team learned and what they will do next.
Farming Innovation Programme: applications open next week
Earlier this summer, we said that we would launch the first competitions of the new Industry-led Research and Development Partnerships Fund in October. I'm pleased to say that we’re on track. The £17.5 million Industry-led Research and Development Partnerships Fund is the first of 3 funds to launch in the new Farming Innovation Programme. Applications …
Related content and links
New: Nutrient Management Planning Tool
Agricultural property relief
From 6 April 2026, full inheritance tax relief will apply to the first £2.5 million of qualifying agricultural and business assets, with lower relief applying to any value above this. Learn more
Talk to us
9 May Nottinghamshire Show at Newark Showground, Newark.
13–14 May The British Pig & Poultry Fair at the NEC Campus in Birmingham.
16 May The Hadleigh Show, Holbecks Park, Hadleigh, Ipswich.
17 May Essex Young Farmers Show, Boyton Hall, Roxwell, Chelmsford.
Livestock disease guidance
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.
