FARMING IN PROTECTED LANDSCAPES SCHEME ANNOUNCED
Defra has announced that its Farming in Protected Landscapes Scheme will open in early July. Support will be available over the next 3 years for farmers in National Parks and AONBs for projects that support nature recovery, mitigate climate change, engage people about the landscape and cultural heritage and to support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses. Examples of projects include: promoting connectivity between habitats, improving access, conserving historic features on farms, supporting locally branded food initiatives, action to reduce farm carbon emissions and gathering data to help inform conservation and farming practice. Note, this is for one-off projects and is not an agri-environment scheme. Contact your National Park or AONB for more information on the following links: Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, North Pennines AONB, Solway Coast AONB, Nidderdale AONB Arnside Silverdale AONB.
MID-TIER STEWARDSHIP - Application pack deadline extension
It was announced today that the deadline to order a Mid-Tier application pack online has been extended to 16th July (from 30th June). The deadline for applying is still 30th July.
NEW WOODLAND CREATION GRANT - CONTACT FC BY 9th JULY
The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is a new grant to support the creation of new woodland. Many of the options offered under the existing Stewardship Woodland creation and maintenance grant are also available under this new offer and may be eligible for higher payment rates. It will also create new woodland on areas as small as 1ha including through natural colonisation. The Forestry Commission will offer free support with applying to the scheme if contacted by 9 July 2021.
DEFRA LUMP SUM EXIT SCHEME & DELINKED PAYMENTS CONSULTATION
Defra is consulting about offering farmers a one-off lump sum exit scheme payment in 2022 and to ‘delink’ Direct Payments from land from 2024. See: Lump Sum and Delinked Payments Consultation for details. The consultation closes on 11th August.
If you want more information, or if you have any feedback about grants, or other sources of funding, please E mail: Veronica@thefarmernetwork.co.uk. Help us share your experiences to benefit other farmers.