The system that gives grants to farmers isn’t easy to follow. An enquiry to DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) will often lead to other bodies. Among these are Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs); the Forestry Commission; and various other agencies that cover the regions of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
However, it’s possible to give an overview of agricultural grants. This can at least ensure that farmers don’t lose out on the common types of funding.
Single Payment Scheme
The European Union’s main grant programme for farmers is the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). There is no relation between the SPS and farm production. Farmers can build their businesses on the demands of the market rather than demands from government.
The agencies that run the SPS, and the methods of administration, differ in each UK region. In England, the conditions for receiving SPS payments are as follows: an eligible party must be a farmer; must have eligible land; and must have entitlements. The definition of eligible land is permanent pasture and arable fields.
Entitlements refer back to 2005. In this year, the government issued entitlements to most farmers. Farmers can get more entitlements by buying or leasing them from other farmers.
To claim SPS payments, a farmer must have a hectare of eligible land for each entitlement. The payment is a flat rate plus an amount based on any subsidies a farmer received before 2005. In England, payment for each entitlement will become just a flat rate by 2012.
English farmers must make their SPS payment applications via the Rural Payments Agency. The deadline is 15 May each year. This summary of SPS payments does not cover Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The regional SPS agencies have further details.
Forestry Commission Grants
If a farmer has woodland, there are grants for forest development and management. Funding comes from the EU. Each region runs the scheme to meet local needs. However, a useful first point of contact for grants is the UK Forestry Commission.
Tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application.
Try our Grant Eligibility Finder free, here on this site →Area Payment for Nuts Scheme (APNS)
Farmers can apply to their regional agency for money to help fund nut growing. The nuts eligible under APNS are almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and walnuts. The grant also applies to locust beans.
Aid for Energy
Farmers can grow crops such as willow and rapeseed for energy production. Energy companies may burn the crops to create electricity; or they may process the crops into fuel such as biodiesel. Farmers receive a set amount per hectare of energy crop.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Protein Crops
For the purpose of a grant, protein crops are field beans, peas and sweet lupins. Farmers growing these crops receive a set premium per hectare.
Restrictions
The APNS, Aid for Energy and Protein Crop grant schemes have restrictions. For example, if the total number of energy crop hectares exceeds two million across the UK, the amount of the payments drops.
Some schemes also have a limited life. It’s therefore wise to check the current and future position on grant payments within a region before changing a farm’s produce.
I AM A YOUNG WOMAN OF 35 YEARS OLD WANT TO ASK WHAT POSSIBLE FINANCIAL HELP /GRANT SCHEME I CAN APPLY FOR AS I WANT TO SET A POULTRY MINI FARM IN A RURAL ENVIRONMENT !?
Am looking for an agricultural grant to fund my business idea in farming.
I am seeking for financial assistance from any charitable organization to start poultry farming for me to fight poverty
I am just starting a small beekeeping/Pollination business.
Would you know if there are any grants available for this?
Cheers
Please help, I am jobless University graduate.
Thanks
Please help, I am jobless University graduate.
Thanks.
My local farmer has devastated trees and hedges near us.
I understand this is being investigated by our county council as hedging was habitat for dormouse.
Allegedly this was done in the name of drainage!!!
How do I find out if this work was done using grant money ?
We have about 3 and half acres of woodland most of the tree need to be removed possible grant for replanting.we are needing to refence all of the farm.also we need all of the field dranage done as the land is very wet and boggiy in places can't keep animals on it till it all done
Are there any grants please
I live in northern Ireland and last year I transferred my entitlements to my cousin, I recently had major wind damage to a old shed and want to build a new one in its place to house machinery. Is there any eligible grants I can get to help with costs even without entitlements?
Many thanks
I am 17 and have around 50 sheep, i only rent the land but would like to increase my farming activities, would there be any grants available to me.
Regards
I am under 40 years old and have been given the opportunity to go into a farming partnership 50/50 on a hill farm with beef and sheep in England.
I was wondering if anyone could advise me as to whether these 'young farmer' or 'new entrant' startup grants are available in England as well as Scotland please or if there are any form of grants available to me to get a start in farming, which is ultimately my dream.
Many Thanks.
I need agricultural grant to food security
Regards
Phil
We have the honour to apply for international grant application material.We are a group of 25 peasant farmers,all of us living below poverty level.We have read about the Self-Development of people and,we wish to apply for partnership with Self-Development of people towards our initiatives titled:-
"Weh Vegetable Irrigation Project"
The project is a mutual proposal of the group member,which is aimed at improving on the hiring conditions of the members of the groups.
1. PROBLEMS ADDRESSED
a) The members lack good tools/equipment to produce enough food for themselves and the market.
b) The soil conditions in the area are poor causing hard labour,but bringing in low crop yield.
c) The members live in poverty and lack enough food.
d) The members lack the required skills to produce high quality food.
JUSTIFICATION
The project is therefore necessary because the members will work as a group,learn from each other,acquire good farm inputs and equipment,produce enough vegetable and bring in good prices.They will also find systems that will enhance and maintain fertility of the soil.
2. PROJECT OUTCOME
The group members envisaged that,if implemented the project will change the living conditions of members in the following ways.
- The members with acquire skills to better manage soil fertility and to increase yields.
- Income level of the members will be improved upon.
- Group members will secure a better livelihood for their families.
- The members will work together,learn from each other,sell their produce together and take control over the prices of the crops they produce.
3. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The group member has initiated the project.It will be managed and operated by the members and it will benefit them directly
PROJECT DURATION
The project execution period is 12 months.After this period the group will become self-reliant and will be able to carry on with the project unassisted.
Kindly find attached our Project budget.
Best regards
The project will improve the environment and create jobs for the local community.
We have a 12 acre small holding, permanent grass for grazing and hay crops, we are trying to establish a ¾ acre bog into a 1/3 acre pond and are looking to see if there are any grants to help with the costs of excavation, tree planting and wild meadow seeding in this area, we are trying to create a small nature reserve, we also have planning permission for a general purpose farm building, Hay barn, machinery store, livestock shelter, this is in another area are there any grants to help with this, also the only water on site is from a small stream, are grants available for a mains water supply for livestock and general use
Regards
Bri
I'm part of a network of small farmers and horticulturalists in the UK. One of the problems we have identified is the difficulty in sourcing appropriate pieces of tractor machinery - we have come across a group of farmers and engineers in France - L'Atelier Paysan - who have designed appropriate machinery and run workshops training farmers how to make them. We would like to be able to find some funding to pay for them to come over and run a workshop training a group of farmers. Are there any DEFRA/EU grants which might cover farmer skill enhancement/training, which could cover such a workshop? Thanks
I have just over 13 acres of fields in cornwall.I was wondering if their is any grants available to plant willows for biomass fuels.im very keen to do this,but the outlay is very expensive.
many thanks
jon cotton
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