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Turn overlooked field edges and hedgerows into income-generating assets with the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Discover grants that boost biodiversity, improve soil health, and diversify your farm’s revenue.
On a chilly spring morning, James walked along the edge of his farm, gazing at the narrow strip of grass that bordered his fields. It had always been there, but like many farmers, James had never given it much thought. A few meters of grass? What could it possibly contribute to a farm’s bottom line? Yet, as James was about to learn, that seemingly unremarkable strip was hiding a wealth of potential.
For farmers like James, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is opening doors to new possibilities. Small plots of land—whether they’re grassy field edges, aging hedgerows, or solitary trees standing sentinel in the middle of a pasture—can now be harnessed to bring in additional income, boost biodiversity, and improve the environment. The SFI isn’t just for big projects; it’s tailored to help farmers make the most of every inch of their land.
Small plots often go unnoticed in farm planning because they don’t seem significant enough to matter. But they do. These non-agricultural spaces—hedgerows, buffer strips, and in-field trees—serve critical roles in maintaining the overall health of your land. They filter water runoff, prevent soil erosion, provide habitats for wildlife, and even help mitigate climate change by storing carbon.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is designed to support these actions, offering payments that make it worthwhile to improve and maintain these areas. By taking simple steps, you can turn marginal spaces into productive environmental assets.
Let’s return to James. After attending a local farming seminar, he discovered that his grassy strip could qualify for an SFI buffer strip grant. That single parcel of land could earn him £451 per hectare per year—just for planting wildflowers and maintaining the strip. Intrigued, he began to think about the other untapped areas on his farm.
What about his hedgerows, some of which hadn’t been trimmed in years? Or the oak tree standing proudly in the middle of his pasture? As James looked around his farm, he realized the opportunities weren’t just about adding a few extra pounds to his income—they were about improving his farm for the long term.
Under the SFI, grants are available for exactly these types of situations—areas that might not grow crops but can grow biodiversity and resilience. For James, the first step was to assess his hedgerows. With the Hedgerow Assessment Grant (CHRW1), he earned £5 per 100 meters to record the condition of his hedgerows, identifying gaps and planning improvements.
With this knowledge, James applied for the Hedgerow Management Grant (CHRW2), which pays £13 per 100 meters for maintaining hedgerows through rotational cutting. This practice didn’t just help his hedgerows look tidier; it created habitats for birds and insects that benefit his crops.
And that solitary oak tree in his field? James discovered it was eligible for the Tree Protection Grant (BFS5), earning him £295 per hectare per year simply for creating a small grass buffer around it to protect its roots and the soil beneath it.
For James, these actions weren’t just about the money. Yes, the additional subsidies were a welcome boost, but the changes had ripple effects across his farm. His buffer strip reduced soil erosion and improved water retention in the adjacent field. The hedgerows attracted pollinators, which helped his crops thrive. And the oak tree became a beacon for wildlife, adding a new layer of life to his land.
These small actions also helped James diversify his income. With grain markets unpredictable and input costs rising, having a steady income stream from SFI grants gave him a sense of stability. And knowing he was contributing to broader environmental goals—like increasing biodiversity and reducing runoff—gave him a sense of pride.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is about more than just large-scale farming—it’s a program that makes every corner of your land work harder for you. From hedgerows to buffer strips, these actions provide financial rewards while supporting biodiversity and environmental resilience.
But finding the right grants for your specific land can be overwhelming. That’s where GrantAdvisor comes in. Our digital tool takes the guesswork out of navigating grants and subsidies, offering personalized recommendations tailored to your farm.
Start making the most of your land today. Visit GrantAdvisor to discover which SFI options and other grants are available for you, and let’s turn your small plots into big opportunities.
Turn overlooked field edges and hedgerows into income-generating assets with the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Discover grants that boost biodiversity, improve soil health, and diversify your farm’s revenue.
On a chilly spring morning, James walked along the edge of his farm, gazing at the narrow strip of grass that bordered his fields. It had always been there, but like many farmers, James had never given it much thought. A few meters of grass? What could it possibly contribute to a farm’s bottom line? Yet, as James was about to learn, that seemingly unremarkable strip was hiding a wealth of potential.
For farmers like James, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is opening doors to new possibilities. Small plots of land—whether they’re grassy field edges, aging hedgerows, or solitary trees standing sentinel in the middle of a pasture—can now be harnessed to bring in additional income, boost biodiversity, and improve the environment. The SFI isn’t just for big projects; it’s tailored to help farmers make the most of every inch of their land.
Small plots often go unnoticed in farm planning because they don’t seem significant enough to matter. But they do. These non-agricultural spaces—hedgerows, buffer strips, and in-field trees—serve critical roles in maintaining the overall health of your land. They filter water runoff, prevent soil erosion, provide habitats for wildlife, and even help mitigate climate change by storing carbon.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is designed to support these actions, offering payments that make it worthwhile to improve and maintain these areas. By taking simple steps, you can turn marginal spaces into productive environmental assets.
Let’s return to James. After attending a local farming seminar, he discovered that his grassy strip could qualify for an SFI buffer strip grant. That single parcel of land could earn him £451 per hectare per year—just for planting wildflowers and maintaining the strip. Intrigued, he began to think about the other untapped areas on his farm.
What about his hedgerows, some of which hadn’t been trimmed in years? Or the oak tree standing proudly in the middle of his pasture? As James looked around his farm, he realized the opportunities weren’t just about adding a few extra pounds to his income—they were about improving his farm for the long term.
Under the SFI, grants are available for exactly these types of situations—areas that might not grow crops but can grow biodiversity and resilience. For James, the first step was to assess his hedgerows. With the Hedgerow Assessment Grant (CHRW1), he earned £5 per 100 meters to record the condition of his hedgerows, identifying gaps and planning improvements.
With this knowledge, James applied for the Hedgerow Management Grant (CHRW2), which pays £13 per 100 meters for maintaining hedgerows through rotational cutting. This practice didn’t just help his hedgerows look tidier; it created habitats for birds and insects that benefit his crops.
And that solitary oak tree in his field? James discovered it was eligible for the Tree Protection Grant (BFS5), earning him £295 per hectare per year simply for creating a small grass buffer around it to protect its roots and the soil beneath it.
For James, these actions weren’t just about the money. Yes, the additional subsidies were a welcome boost, but the changes had ripple effects across his farm. His buffer strip reduced soil erosion and improved water retention in the adjacent field. The hedgerows attracted pollinators, which helped his crops thrive. And the oak tree became a beacon for wildlife, adding a new layer of life to his land.
These small actions also helped James diversify his income. With grain markets unpredictable and input costs rising, having a steady income stream from SFI grants gave him a sense of stability. And knowing he was contributing to broader environmental goals—like increasing biodiversity and reducing runoff—gave him a sense of pride.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is about more than just large-scale farming—it’s a program that makes every corner of your land work harder for you. From hedgerows to buffer strips, these actions provide financial rewards while supporting biodiversity and environmental resilience.
But finding the right grants for your specific land can be overwhelming. That’s where GrantAdvisor comes in. Our digital tool takes the guesswork out of navigating grants and subsidies, offering personalized recommendations tailored to your farm.
Start making the most of your land today. Visit GrantAdvisor to discover which SFI options and other grants are available for you, and let’s turn your small plots into big opportunities.
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