Farmers across the Durham Dales interested in accessing Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) have been given an extra week to sign up to a programme to help them navigate the process and better understand the policy changes that will affect their farms
in the future.
The Farm for the Future scheme has been running for two years and provides one-to-one support from The Royal Countryside Fund and its local delivery partners. It has already helped over 1,600 farmers in England access SFI, helping to offer farmers a
reliable income to support food production and the environment. A surge in interest in recent weeks has prompted the charity to extend the enrolment deadline to 7 October 2024.
Farmers face a range of issues relating to climate change, water quality, animal health, and soil erosion, as well as rising costs - add to this a complicated and changing policy landscape, farmers need more support than ever to navigate their way through the
many challenges that lie ahead.
Aimed at farmers who received the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England, Farm for the Future provides workshops and a one-to-one meeting for every participating farm, to guide them on SFI and other opportunities, and improve profitability and resilience
through the ongoing agricultural transition. The RCF delivers this tailored guidance through Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS).
Over 95% of Farm for the Future participants say they have increased confidence in their ability to plan for the future. Mick, who attended
Farm for the Future sessions in Lancashire, said: “One of the key things I’ve got out of the programme was learning more about the SFI opportunities – I’ve now got all the paperwork ready to go. It’s beneficial to be in discussion groups with open-minded
people willing to discuss ideas as well as giving everyone an outlook for the future.”
Michael Bullen, Farm for the Future Programme Manager at The Royal Countryside Fund said:
The Farm for the Future programme has been incredibly well received so far so we wanted to give farmers across the Durham Dales a final chance to sign up and take advantage of this funded support. The Royal Countryside Fund, as a charity, is able to give
this advice entirely impartially, and we aim to provide ongoing support to Farm for the Future farmers long after the programme has ended. We’re working with UTASS to deliver this programme; who have an in-depth understanding of the issues facing farms in their local area.”
Registration to take part in Farm for the Future closes on 7 October. Workshops will be delivered until December 2024.
To find your local group or join the programme online, visit
www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture
For more information and to express an interest in taking part, please contact Grace Crawford at UTASS on 01833 641 010 or
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