The Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme is now open for applications

The Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme opened for applications on the 30th June 2022 for BPS eligible businesses.  

What do you need to know?

SFI aims to help farmers manage land in a way that improves food production and is more environmentally sustainable.

Farmers will be paid to provide public goods, such as:

• improved water quality
• biodiversity
• climate change mitigation
• animal health and welfare

In 2022, SFI aims to:

• encourage actions that improve soil health
• recognise how moorland provides benefits to the public (public goods)
• improve animal health and welfare by helping farmers with the costs of veterinary advice for livestock

Payments are structured as below:
 

There is no application window for this grant.  Applications can be made at any time and successful applications last for 3 years, with payments made on a quarterly basis to help with cash flow.

There is no available funding via SFI for capital items however you may use Countryside Stewardship capital grants.  Furthermore the SFI can run on land already under BPS, Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship schemes.

What do you need to do next?

We would suggest that you consider which standards of the SFI are most suited to your current land holdings and business.

We can work with you to help you to formulate this plan and to help you to update any land details and applications as required. 

We can also advise you on which other existing or forthcoming schemes are possible to apply for, ensuring that you can  make the most out of the natural capital under your ownership or management.

If you have any questions at all about SFI or wish to consult us on your plans then please don't hesitate to contact us.