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Discover how small plots of land, from hedgerows to grassy edges, can unlock financial rewards and boost biodiversity with the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Transform untapped spaces into thriving ecosystems and valuable assets.
Emma had always loved her small slice of countryside. The hedgerow that curved around her property, the stretch of wild grass bordering her garden, and the old oak tree standing tall in the corner of her field gave her home a rustic charm. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that her land could offer more. It wasn’t large enough for agriculture, yet it seemed like a missed opportunity to leave it as it was. That’s when Emma discovered the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
What she learned surprised her: even small plots like hers could qualify for grants that not only brought in extra income but also turned her land into an ecological treasure trove. From supporting pollinators to protecting trees, the SFI offered tailored opportunities that could transform her land for the better.
Emma’s experience is a familiar one for many rural landowners. Small parcels of land—hedgerows, grassy edges, or a solitary tree—often seem too minor to make a difference. Yet these small features punch well above their weight.
Hedgerows provide homes for birds and wildlife, buffer strips filter runoff and prevent soil erosion, and trees serve as carbon stores and biodiversity hubs. These aren’t just aesthetic features; they’re vital components of a healthy environment. And now, with the SFI, they’re also sources of financial support.
The SFI is designed to help landowners like Emma make the most of their spaces. By focusing on practical, low-barrier projects, it encourages landowners to improve biodiversity, support climate goals, and generate income—all without needing large-scale farming operations.
When Emma first heard about the SFI, she started by assessing her hedgerows. They hadn’t been trimmed in years, and gaps were starting to form. Through the Hedgerow Assessment Grant, Emma received a payment of £5 per 100 meters to record their condition. This simple step helped her map out areas for improvement and understand how to rejuvenate these vital corridors.
With her assessment complete, Emma applied for the Hedgerow Management Grant. This grant, offering £13 per 100 meters, provided funding for rotational cutting—a practice that keeps hedgerows dense and structurally diverse. The result? Birds, insects, and small mammals returned in greater numbers, and her hedgerows once again became thriving ecosystems.
But Emma didn’t stop at the hedgerows. Along the edge of her property was a strip of grass that had always seemed a little dull. She decided to turn it into a wildflower-rich buffer strip, supported by the Buffer Strip Grant. Planting wildflowers transformed this area into a vibrant haven for bees and butterflies. The payments of £451 per hectare per year offset the cost of planting, and the boost in biodiversity was visible almost immediately.
In the far corner of her property stood a towering oak tree. It had always been a favorite spot, offering shade in summer and a picturesque view in autumn. Through the Tree Protection Grant, Emma earned £295 per hectare per year to create a small grass buffer around the tree, ensuring its roots were protected and its surrounding ecosystem could flourish.
Emma’s story is just one example of how the SFI can benefit rural landowners. These small actions don’t just bring financial rewards—they create ripple effects that improve the health of your land, the environment, and the community around you.
Hedgerows attract birds and pollinators that contribute to a thriving local ecosystem. Wildflower strips reduce runoff and protect soil while adding beauty and biodiversity. And trees? They’re ecological powerhouses, storing carbon, providing habitats, and improving air quality.
Beyond these examples, the SFI offers hundreds of grant options to fit nearly every type of land and goal. From improving soil health to planting small woodlands, the possibilities are vast. Exploring these options can unlock unexpected opportunities to enhance your land and your lifestyle.
Emma didn’t stop with her hedgerows and wildflower strip. As she delved deeper into the possibilities offered by the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), she realized her land held even more potential. At the edge of her property was a low-lying patch that often turned into a soggy mess after heavy rains. Inspired by the idea of creating a habitat for water-loving species, Emma applied for a Creating Ponds Grant. The funding helped her transform that neglected corner into a thriving pond, teeming with frogs, dragonflies, and birds, while improving drainage for her surrounding fields.
Encouraged by the success of her pond, Emma turned her attention to the open stretch of grass behind her cottage. She’d heard about Agroforestry Support Grants and saw an opportunity to combine her love of trees with her grazing plans for a small herd of sheep. By planting rows of fruit-bearing trees interspersed with grazing areas, Emma not only enhanced the biodiversity of her land but also diversified her income by introducing a potential harvest of apples and plums.
Lastly, Emma decided to tackle her tired-looking soil. With the help of Soil Health Grants, she introduced cover crops and multi-species herbal leys, which not only revitalized her fields but also improved water retention and reduced erosion. Her soil became healthier and more productive, setting the foundation for a vibrant and sustainable landscape.
With grants like these, Emma discovered that small parcels of land could make a big difference—not just for her farm’s productivity but for the environment and future generations. The SFI offers hundreds of options for landowners to explore, ensuring there’s a grant for nearly every type of vision and every corner of land.
Emma’s success wasn’t just about accessing grants—it was about knowing what made sense for her land and how to make it happen. That’s exactly what AskGrant helps you do.
AskGrant is a subscription-based digital tool designed for UK landowners, making it simple to plan, fund, and succeed with environmental projects.
Take the guesswork out of grants and projects. Explore AskGrant products to start turning your land’s potential into a thriving, sustainable reality.
Discover how small plots of land, from hedgerows to grassy edges, can unlock financial rewards and boost biodiversity with the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Transform untapped spaces into thriving ecosystems and valuable assets.
Emma had always loved her small slice of countryside. The hedgerow that curved around her property, the stretch of wild grass bordering her garden, and the old oak tree standing tall in the corner of her field gave her home a rustic charm. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that her land could offer more. It wasn’t large enough for agriculture, yet it seemed like a missed opportunity to leave it as it was. That’s when Emma discovered the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
What she learned surprised her: even small plots like hers could qualify for grants that not only brought in extra income but also turned her land into an ecological treasure trove. From supporting pollinators to protecting trees, the SFI offered tailored opportunities that could transform her land for the better.
Emma’s experience is a familiar one for many rural landowners. Small parcels of land—hedgerows, grassy edges, or a solitary tree—often seem too minor to make a difference. Yet these small features punch well above their weight.
Hedgerows provide homes for birds and wildlife, buffer strips filter runoff and prevent soil erosion, and trees serve as carbon stores and biodiversity hubs. These aren’t just aesthetic features; they’re vital components of a healthy environment. And now, with the SFI, they’re also sources of financial support.
The SFI is designed to help landowners like Emma make the most of their spaces. By focusing on practical, low-barrier projects, it encourages landowners to improve biodiversity, support climate goals, and generate income—all without needing large-scale farming operations.
When Emma first heard about the SFI, she started by assessing her hedgerows. They hadn’t been trimmed in years, and gaps were starting to form. Through the Hedgerow Assessment Grant, Emma received a payment of £5 per 100 meters to record their condition. This simple step helped her map out areas for improvement and understand how to rejuvenate these vital corridors.
With her assessment complete, Emma applied for the Hedgerow Management Grant. This grant, offering £13 per 100 meters, provided funding for rotational cutting—a practice that keeps hedgerows dense and structurally diverse. The result? Birds, insects, and small mammals returned in greater numbers, and her hedgerows once again became thriving ecosystems.
But Emma didn’t stop at the hedgerows. Along the edge of her property was a strip of grass that had always seemed a little dull. She decided to turn it into a wildflower-rich buffer strip, supported by the Buffer Strip Grant. Planting wildflowers transformed this area into a vibrant haven for bees and butterflies. The payments of £451 per hectare per year offset the cost of planting, and the boost in biodiversity was visible almost immediately.
In the far corner of her property stood a towering oak tree. It had always been a favorite spot, offering shade in summer and a picturesque view in autumn. Through the Tree Protection Grant, Emma earned £295 per hectare per year to create a small grass buffer around the tree, ensuring its roots were protected and its surrounding ecosystem could flourish.
Emma’s story is just one example of how the SFI can benefit rural landowners. These small actions don’t just bring financial rewards—they create ripple effects that improve the health of your land, the environment, and the community around you.
Hedgerows attract birds and pollinators that contribute to a thriving local ecosystem. Wildflower strips reduce runoff and protect soil while adding beauty and biodiversity. And trees? They’re ecological powerhouses, storing carbon, providing habitats, and improving air quality.
Beyond these examples, the SFI offers hundreds of grant options to fit nearly every type of land and goal. From improving soil health to planting small woodlands, the possibilities are vast. Exploring these options can unlock unexpected opportunities to enhance your land and your lifestyle.
Emma didn’t stop with her hedgerows and wildflower strip. As she delved deeper into the possibilities offered by the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), she realized her land held even more potential. At the edge of her property was a low-lying patch that often turned into a soggy mess after heavy rains. Inspired by the idea of creating a habitat for water-loving species, Emma applied for a Creating Ponds Grant. The funding helped her transform that neglected corner into a thriving pond, teeming with frogs, dragonflies, and birds, while improving drainage for her surrounding fields.
Encouraged by the success of her pond, Emma turned her attention to the open stretch of grass behind her cottage. She’d heard about Agroforestry Support Grants and saw an opportunity to combine her love of trees with her grazing plans for a small herd of sheep. By planting rows of fruit-bearing trees interspersed with grazing areas, Emma not only enhanced the biodiversity of her land but also diversified her income by introducing a potential harvest of apples and plums.
Lastly, Emma decided to tackle her tired-looking soil. With the help of Soil Health Grants, she introduced cover crops and multi-species herbal leys, which not only revitalized her fields but also improved water retention and reduced erosion. Her soil became healthier and more productive, setting the foundation for a vibrant and sustainable landscape.
With grants like these, Emma discovered that small parcels of land could make a big difference—not just for her farm’s productivity but for the environment and future generations. The SFI offers hundreds of options for landowners to explore, ensuring there’s a grant for nearly every type of vision and every corner of land.
Emma’s success wasn’t just about accessing grants—it was about knowing what made sense for her land and how to make it happen. That’s exactly what AskGrant helps you do.
AskGrant is a subscription-based digital tool designed for UK landowners, making it simple to plan, fund, and succeed with environmental projects.
Take the guesswork out of grants and projects. Explore AskGrant products to start turning your land’s potential into a thriving, sustainable reality.
