Menu

Know How / Environmental schemes

Each of the UK’s devolved administrations has its own agri-environment scheme – for example, the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in England and the Agri-environment Climate Scheme in Scotland.

Find out what’s involved in signing up to a ‘green scheme’ and get practical tips on putting together your application.

Advice and tips

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Privately funded natural capital schemes: What to consider

Still in their infancy, most privately funded natural capital schemes involve taking a long-term approach and creating units and credits that can be bought or sold – usually offering farms…

BUSINESS

NE statutory nutrient mitigation credits - the opportunities

Farmers can be both suppliers and buyers of Natural England’s (NE) statutory nutrient mitigation credits in the Tees catchment.  This is the first area in which NE is offering the…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

How to deliver landscape-scale change through farm clusters

Farmer cluster groups are meeting local environmental priorities both on their own farms and beyond their boundaries. The term “cluster” was adopted, because it describes how members of these groups…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Landscape Recovery scheme round two: How it works

The second round of the Landscape Recovery (LR) scheme is open for applications, with Defra setting a target to sign up a further 25 projects. The scheme, which launched last…

See all

Case studies

ARABLE

Arable farm finds new income streams with nature-based system

Nature-based solutions are being put to the test on a Cotswolds arable farm, both locally and at scale, to see what benefits and rewards they have to offer. Dunthrop Farms…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Wetlands and agroforestry central to farm's funding future

A move away from conventional arable and food production is underway at Spains Hall Estate. The combination of agroforestry, woodland and wetlands being created across 500ha will provide ecosystem services…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Berks estate focuses on three elements in environmental move

Nick Down is focusing on the three key elements of soil health, cutting insecticide use and using companion cropping as he looks to fit new environmental scheme payments into an…

SOILS

Carbon audit highlights priorities for net-zero success

A 10-year sustainability plan put in place just over a year ago at Squerryes Estate in Westerham, Kent, has provided a framework for the business as it navigates its way…

See all

Insights

ELM

Analysis: Time for a closer look as SFI opens for business

With the latest iteration of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) due to open for applicants on Monday (18 September), a growing number of farmers in England will be asking themselves…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Defra BNG credit prices give open market a steer on values

The publication in late July of indicative prices for statutory Defra biodiversity net gain (BNG) credits surprised many. Starting at £42,000 a unit and rising to £650,000 for lakes, the…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

SFI 2023: What's on offer for arable farmers

The full version of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 for England was revealed in June, receiving a mixed reception from growers and advisers alike. With 23 actions and a far…

See all

News

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Defra provides clarity on farming budget spend

Defra has offered clarity on how the agricultural budget for England is being allocated amid concerns from food and farming organisations over a lack of transparency about where the money…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Defra’s 2023 SFI scheme opens for applications in England

Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme for England is starting to accept applications after its launch was delayed by technical issues. Farmers in England who are claiming basic payments will…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

RPA suffers IT issues on CS 2024 deadline day

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has been battling IT computer glitches on deadline day for the 2024 Countryside Stewardship scheme, sparking huge frustration and anxiety for farmers trying to submit…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

More support for upland farmers demanded in petition

A Cumbrian dairy farmer has launched a petition demanding better support from Defra for farmers in the uplands and nature-friendly agriculture. James Robinson, an organic dairy farmer based at Strickley…

See all