agnetzero

The Forestry Commission will open a new Tree Production Capital Grant (TPCG) this Spring. The TPCG will provide funding to increase the domestic production of tree seed and saplings, supporting investments in expansion, automation and mechanisation of facilities and equipment. To receive the latest news on the grant, sign up to the Forestry Commission’s e-alert. For more information, contact [email protected] or read the Forestry Commission’s latest blog.

A new post, “Sustainable Farming Incentive: standards, payment rates, and how to prepare” has just been published on the Future Farming blog.  We plan to launch the Sustainable Farming Incentive in June. Today we can share the final standards and payment rates, our approach to the applications process and how to prepare, In this post, I’ll provide an overview and share links to further information on GOV.UK. I’ll also explain how farmers have directly shaped the scheme through the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, tests and trials, engagement sessions, co-design activity and discussions.

A new post, “Animal Health and Welfare Grants: your chance to suggest items” has just been published on the Future Farming blog.  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.

In this episode Oliver McEntyre, our National Agricultural Strategy Director, is joined by Andrea Gardner, Head of Agricultural Projects at Myerscough College, to discuss the Skills Accelerator programme.

Put down roots. Create a lasting legacy that benefits you and future generations. You could get over £10,000 for every hectare of new woodland you plant in England. Tree planting offers opportunities to diversify, generate extra income, increase farm productivity, and enhance your land – while complementing food production. To understand how you can get involved, email [email protected] or visit GOV.UK

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) regularly adds updates to the Future Farming blog. Please subscribe to the blog to ensure you see all the latest news. 

There are 3 levels to the hedgerows standard. Each level has a set of actions you must complete, where relevant, to get paid. The levels build on one another – each one includes the actions from the previous levels. If you’re already doing activities on your land that fulfil the actions in this standard, you can use these areas instead of creating new ones. This means you can maintain existing areas to complete actions that require you to ‘create’ or ‘establish’ something. Anything you’re doing to complete an action only counts towards that action. It will not count towards the standard’s other actions, unless this guidance says otherwise.

You can apply for money to improve the environment while producing high quality food and other products if you’re a farmer, land manager, forester or horticulturist. Environmental land management funding Trees, animal health, slurry and protected landscape funding Innovation, technology, research and development funding Joining farming Leaving farming Get help with farm funding

It has been  announced that the UK Government and Devolved Governments agreed to end the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) levy for the horticulture and potato sectors. This will help deliver a reformed AHDB, and enhance accountability and value for money for farmers across the UK. 

The Farming Advice Service (FAS) is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We provide free, confidential advice to help farmers in England understand and meet the requirements of cross-compliance. These requirements apply to you if you are a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship, or Environmental Stewardship claimant.