The COVID-19 Roadmap is on track with Step 2 starting this Monday.  Non-essential shops and hairdressers will be allowed to re-open from 12th April with bars and restaurants allowed to serve customers outdoors.  As well as the opportunity for much needed haircuts and a visit to a beer garden, the most relevant change for farm […]

Farmer Networks in the North of England are being asked to help shape the next Northern Real Farming Conference this November.  There is a survey for farmer groups to complete and an on-line meeting on 19th May to discuss topics and how you would like to be involved in building an agro-ecological farming vision.  As well as the […]

Defra has published a blog providing more information about the Farming Investment Fund which is due to be launched this autumn.  There will be a smaller grant scheme – the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and a larger scheme –  the Farming Transformation Fund.  The smaller grant scheme is expected to be similar to the […]

Defra is looking for several hundred farmers to be involved in the first phase of the SFI pilot.  Participants can choose from an initial set of eight standards and details about how to submit an Expression of Interest are on this link.   The Prince’s Countryside Fund recently organised a meeting for Farmer Networks with Defra […]

Defra has published details of how organisations can apply to its Future Farm Resilience Programme to support farmers during the agricultural transition.  We hope to join other Farmer Networks in delivering this programme in a bid that is being coordinated by the Prince’s Countryside Fund.  The bid will be submitted in May and if successful, […]

The Easter weekend is likely to be very busy particularly in National Parks and AONBs.  It is very frustrating for farmers with tourism businesses that they can’t open their accommodation to make money from visitors as would normally be the case and many are concerned about sheep worrying.  The NFU Countryside Code webpage includes posters, […]

We have been asked to see if any farmers would be interested in participating in a study that seeks to explore farmers’ emotional wellbeing and resilience amid the Covid-19 pandemic. If you would like to help, please click the following link Participant Information Sheet . You can also read some information regarding the study below […]

Changes to the Stewardship schemes this year include the capital grants being merged into one application including field boundaries, water quality items and a new air quality grant. The deadline for the capital grant scheme is 30th April and this is also the deadline for Higher-Tier applications.  Note you can also include capital grants within […]

The Local Restrictions Support Grant Schemes will close on 31st March.  These are for businesses that have either had to close, or which have remained open but impacted by COVID restrictions. Contact your Local Authority for details about how to claim. The popular Bounce Back Loan scheme closes on 31st March for businesses affected by […]

Last week, Defra published information about how farmers can apply to participate in the Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot.   Defra is looking for several hundred farmers to be involved in the pilot in advance of the scheme being rolled out in 2022.  Participants can choose from an initial set of eight standards and details about how […]

The Basic Payment Scheme is now open for applications and the rules and guidance notes are here.  You can use The Rural Payments Service to add, amend and transfer land parcels and entitlements and to amend common rights.  The deadline for submitting applications is midnight on 17 May 2021.

Defra Future Farming blog Cumbrian farmer and AHDB coordinator, Nic Renison, has done a Defra Future Farming podcast with Janet Hughes.  She shares her approach to farming and her views on the future of the industry and their invention – The Eggmobile!  Read her blog at: Defra farming blog Cumbria Local Nature Strategy Survey What does […]