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All the latest news 

From Kelly Farm Consulting

Sustainable Farming Incentive 2024 – Applications Closed

Sam Kelly
Mar 122 min read

On 11 March 2025, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced an immediate halt to new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2024 scheme, citing full allocation of the available budget. We had always been told that they would give 6 weeks notice if they needed to close the application window, so this abrupt decision is extremely frustrating and again leaves a lot of farmers in a very difficult financial position.    

 

Existing agreements will be honoured, and those with pending, eligible applications will still have their agreements processed. A revised version of the SFI is anticipated, following the upcoming Spending Review, and we are told that the scheme will re-open to new applications in 2026 – time will tell what that scheme looks like! 

 

If you currently have an agreement offer from the RPA, please make sure it is accepted within the 10 day window as they are reserving the right to withdraw offers.

 

Crucially, applications that weren’t fully submitted before the closure (05:00 PM on 11th March 2025) will not be considered by the RPA, except in one of the following circumstances:

 

  1. Those blocked from submitting by system errors.

  2. Those who had requested ‘assisted digital’ support to apply.

  3. Ex-SFI Pilot Farmers whose Pilot agreement has already ended, but they haven’t applied for the Full 2024 Expanded Offer yet on land included within their Pilot agreement.

 

There were a significant number of applications ‘stuck’ in the system with errors, so hopefully this will allow some of those applications to be submitted in due course, rather than having to wait until 2026.  If you had an application in this position, we suggest you email the RPA as soon as possible with the application number and details of the error you are receiving (including screenshots if you can).  

 

If we are in the process of preparing an SFI application for you, we will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss the position of your individual application. 

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can help in any way. 


 

Sam Kelly

07777 696080


Charlie Davies

07904 601104


Alfie Rumsey

07399 117257

 

Office 01454 614624


 


 
 

Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants

Sam Kelly
Feb 252 min read

We are pleased to inform you that DEFRA has today announced that Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants will be returning, alongside other key announcements relating to the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund as well as the new 2025 Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier offering.


This comes after a temporary suspension to the Capital Grants scheme in November 2024 due to unprecedented demand. The funding, now secured by the department, ensures that the 4,040 applications previously on hold will now be processed in accordance with the guidance at the time of submission.


Key Updates to the Capital Grants Scheme:


  • Spending Caps Introduced: To promote equal access to its schemes, DEFRA has reintroduced category-specific caps which will apply to any new applications once the scheme re-opens:


    • £25,000 for water quality improvements

    • £25,000 for air quality enhancements

    • £25,000 for natural flood management projects

    • £35,000 for boundaries, trees, and orchards initiatives


These caps aim to ensure that smaller farms and high-priority projects receive adequate support. Notably, applications submitted before the suspension will not be subject to these new limits.


  • Rolling Application Window: The scheme will now accept applications throughout the year, allowing for continuous access to funding opportunities.


Next Steps for Applicants:


  • For Pending Applications: If your application was placed on hold during the suspension, no action is required on your part. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will process your application and contact us upon approval.

  • For New Applicants: Those who did not apply prior to the suspension will have the opportunity to submit applications when the scheme reopens later this year. We will provide updates as soon as applications resume.


Other Announcements & How We Can Help:


Beyond the Capital Grants scheme, DEFRA continues to offer several other funding opportunities:


  • Woodland Management Plans: Assistance for sustainable woodland management practices.

  • Countryside Stewardship (Higher Tier): Funding for complex environmental projects with substantial benefits. Announcements today have confirmed

  • Sustainable Farming Incentive: Support for adopting environmentally sustainable land management practices, promoting soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.

  • Farming Equipment & Technology Fund: This Spring, one round of the FETF will be launched, offering grants of between £1,000 and £25,000.


With farming businesses facing increasing financial and regulatory pressures, particularly in light of the Autumn Statement, we recognise the challenges this creates for long-term planning and investment. While this announcement may not come close to resolving concerns, we hope it provides a small amount of clarity during challenging times.


Should you have any further questions, we are well placed to assist you in making the most of the current opportunities, helping our clients to:


✔ Identify the best funding opportunities for their business

✔ Prepare applications that meet all requirements

✔ Ensure compliance with scheme conditions both now and in the future

✔ Maximise grant funding to enhance farm productivity


With the Capital Grants scheme back in action, now is the time to plan ahead. If you need support with your application or want to explore your options, then we would be more than happy to help.



 

Sam Kelly

07777 696080


Charlie Davies

07904 601104


Alfie Rumsey

07399 117257

 

Office 01454 614624


 

 
 

FETF Claim Deadline - 10 Jan 25

Sam Kelly
Jan 31 min read

The FETF 2024 scheme allowed farmers, foresters, growers and contractors in England to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £50,000 for equipment to boost productivity and manage slurry, and between £1,000 and £25,000 for equipment to improve animal health and welfare. The scheme is now closed to new applications.


If you accepted grant funding for the FETF 2024 scheme, the deadline to submit your grant claim is midday on 10th January 2025.


For each grant funding agreement (GFA) accepted under the FETF scheme, you will need to submit a separate claim using the claim form included in each GFA. After the items have been paid for in full and received. Take photographs of the items in-situ. Ensure you include these in your grant claim as supporting evidence, along with the invoice and bank statement showing the payment.


Submit your claim in advance of the deadline. Check that you have received an email confirmation confirming your claim has been submitted.


If you need support with this process, or would like to apply for an extension, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

 

Sam Kelly

07777 696080


Charlie Davies

07904 601104


Jane Phillips

07484 974504


Alfie Rumsey

07399 117257

Office 01454 614624


 

 
 

Kelly Farm Consulting 

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