THE deadline has been extended for farmers in Exmoor, Somerset and North Devon to get crucial advice to access the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2024. Registration closes on Monday 7th November, and the workshops will be running until December.
The new date gives farmers a bit more time to sign up for a programme to help them navigate the process and better understand the policy changes that will affect their farms in the future.
The Farm for the Future scheme has been running for two years and provides one-to-one support from The Royal Countryside Fund and its local delivery partners. It has already helped more than 1,600 farmers in England to access the Sustainable Farming Incentive, helping to offer farmers a reliable income to support food production and the environment.
Farmers face a range of issues relating to climate change, water quality, animal health, and soil erosion, as well as rising costs. With the complicated and changing policy landscape, farmers need more support than ever to navigate their way through the many challenges that lie ahead.
Aimed at farmers who received the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England, Farm for the Future provides workshops and a one-to-one meeting for every participating farm, to guide them on SFI and other opportunities, and improve profitability and resilience through the ongoing agricultural transition. The Royal Countryside Fund delivers this tailored guidance through Exmoor Hill Farming Network.
More than per cent 95% of Farm for the Future participants say they have increased confidence in their ability to plan for the future. Mick, who attended Farm for the Future sessions in Lancashire, said: “One of the key things I’ve got out of the programme was learning more about the SFI opportunities – I’ve now got all the paperwork ready to go. It’s beneficial to be in discussion groups with open-minded people willing to discuss ideas as well as giving everyone an outlook for the future.”
Michael Bullen, Farm for the Future Programme Manager at The Royal Countryside Fund says: “We wanted to give farmers across North Devon, Exmoor and Somerset a final chance to sign up and take advantage of this funded support. The Royal Countryside Fund, as a charity, is able to give this advice entirely impartially, and we aim to provide ongoing support to Farm for the Future farmers long after the programme has ended. We’re working with Exmoor Hill Farming Network to deliver this programme; who have an in-depth understanding of the issues facing farms in their local area.”
To find your local group or join the programme online, visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture