Navigating the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for Hedgerows

Hedgerows are a defining feature of the English countryside, balancing the needs of agriculture with those of wildlife and environmental sustainability. Under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)—a cornerstone of the UK government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes—farmers and landowners can access funding to support the maintenance, management, and improvement of hedgerows.

Whether you’re monitoring the condition of existing hedgerows, carrying out traditional management practices, or establishing hedgerow trees to enhance biodiversity, the SFI provides tailored financial incentives. This guide unpacks the SFI’s hedgerow-related options, payment rates, and reporting requirements while offering tips on combining it with other funding schemes for maximum impact.

SFI Hedgerow Options: What’s Available?

The SFI focuses on encouraging sustainable practices that enhance the ecological and structural value of hedgerows. Three key actions are available for landowners under the scheme:

1. CHRW1: Assess and Record Hedgerow Condition

This action emphasizes assessing hedgerow condition to guide future management strategies. Landowners assess the health, density, and structural attributes of their hedgerows and record key details such as gaps, vegetation diversity, and overall condition.

• What It Involves:
  • Surveying hedgerows and documenting key attributes like height, width, gaps, and species diversity.
  • Using this information to develop tailored management plans.
• Payment Rate: £5 per 100 metres for one side of the hedgerow.
• Reporting Requirements:
  • A report detailing the condition of each hedgerow assessed.
  • Supporting photographic evidence and a summary of intended management actions.

2. CHRW2: Manage Hedgerows

This action supports traditional hedgerow management techniques like trimming, shaping, and cutting to maintain healthy, dense growth that benefits both wildlife and agriculture.

• What It Involves:
  • Rotational cutting to promote biodiversity while ensuring structurally diverse hedgerows.
  • Maintaining varied heights and widths to create habitats for a range of species.
• Payment Rate: £13 per 100 metres for one side of the hedgerow.
• Reporting Requirements:
  • Annual records of cutting activities, including dates and methods used.
  • Assurance that cuts avoid the bird nesting season (March to August).

3. CHRW3: Maintain or Establish Hedgerow Trees

This option focuses on planting new hedgerow trees or maintaining existing ones to improve landscape connectivity, sequester carbon, and support wildlife.

• What It Involves:
  • Planting hedgerow trees at regular intervals or ensuring the health of existing ones.
  • Supporting biodiversity by introducing native species like oak or field maple.
• Payment Rate: £10 per 100 metres for both sides of the hedgerow.
• Reporting Requirements:
  • Records of tree planting and maintenance, including species and locations.
  • Periodic monitoring to ensure tree health and survival.

Integrating SFI with Other Grant Schemes

One of the major advantages of the SFI is its compatibility with other funding schemes, allowing landowners to combine resources for comprehensive hedgerow management.

Pairing SFI with Countryside Stewardship (CS)

The Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme offers capital grants for activities like hedgerow planting, laying, and coppicing. By aligning these one-off investments with SFI’s ongoing management payments, landowners can create a long-term, sustainable plan.

Example:

• Use CS funding to plant new hedgerows or gap up existing ones.
• Apply for CHRW1 and CHRW2 under SFI to monitor and maintain these hedgerows over time.

Combining SFI with the Tree Health Pilot Scheme

For hedgerow trees affected by diseases like ash dieback, the Tree Health Pilot Scheme (THP) provides funding for felling and replanting with resilient species. SFI complements this by supporting the establishment and maintenance of newly planted hedgerow trees.

Example:

• Use THP grants to remove infected trees and replant with native, disease-resistant species.
• Apply for CHRW3 under SFI to support ongoing tree care and ensure long-term success.

Eligibility and Reporting Requirements

To participate in SFI, landowners must meet certain eligibility criteria and fulfill ongoing reporting obligations.

Eligibility:

• Landowners with registered hedgerows on their property.
• Commitment to comply with SFI’s sustainable management standards, including avoiding trimming during bird nesting seasons.

Payment Rates:

• CHRW1: £5 per 100 metres for one side of the hedgerow.
• CHRW2: £13 per 100 metres for one side of the hedgerow.
• CHRW3: £10 per 100 metres for both sides of the hedgerow.

Reporting Requirements:

Participants must provide:

• Annual reports detailing all activities undertaken, such as assessments, management actions, or tree planting.
• Records with photographic evidence, species lists, and dates of work carried out.
• Compliance with biodiversity standards, such as maintaining wildlife-friendly cutting practices.

Maximising the Value of SFI for Hedgerows

The SFI offers landowners a flexible way to support hedgerow health and sustainability. By assessing, managing, and enhancing hedgerows, participants can improve biodiversity, bolster farm productivity, and strengthen the resilience of their landscapes.

Advice for Landowners:

• Begin with a hedgerow survey to assess their current condition.
• Align SFI actions with other grants like CS or the Tree Health Pilot Scheme to maximize support.
• Develop a long-term hedgerow management plan to ensure compliance and secure sustained benefits.

Simplify Your Grant Strategy with AskGrant

Applying for SFI and combining it with other grants can feel overwhelming, but AskGrant is here to make it simple. AskGrant offers expert guidance tailored to your land’s specific needs, helping you navigate grant applications and align funding schemes for maximum support.

Whether you’re monitoring hedgerows, planting new ones, or managing tree health, AskGrant provides step-by-step advice to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities. Save time, avoid confusion, and unlock the full potential of the SFI and other funding schemes with AskGrant.

Visit AskGrant today to get clear, actionable insights and start your journey toward healthier, better-supported hedgerows. The countryside—and your bottom line—will thank you.

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