Future Farming Resilience

Navigating the Agricultural Transition


The Future Farming Resilience programme runs across the South West. Please join our newsletter to receive updates about the programme, as well as additional agricultural support, grants schemes and news from Defra.

We are living through a period of huge change for the farming industry. Farmers are no longer receiving Direct Payments and, instead, are being supported to improve the environment, improve animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions.

Throughout this period of change, called the Agricultural Transition, Defra is funding the Future Farming Resilience project to support farmers and land managers.

There will be three levels of support aimed at paying for sustainable farming practices, creating habitats for nature recovery and making landscape-scale change such as establishing new woodland and other ecosystem services.

FFR support is freely available to any farmer or land manager who has been in receipt of BPS, has an SBI and more than 5ha of land, and who lives in Devon, Somerset, Dorset or Cornwall.

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How we can help

Support is available through Agricultural Transition workshops which give a comprehensive overview of the changes in agriculture and the options available to farmers, one-to-one support with an agricultural advisor, and access to small group workshops focused on specific topics relevant to farmers in the South West.

WHICH AREA WOULD YOU LIKE HELP WITH?
Click on the buttons below to find more information:


Answering your questions

Through our FFR support, we’ll answer your questions and talk about the opportunities from the Agricultural Transition:

  • What new funding opportunities are available for my farm now?
  • Will the Sustainable Farming Incentive work on my farm?
  • Are there new grants to grow my farm business?
  • Where does organic or regenerative farming fit with the agricultural transition?
  • How do I start to develop a succession plan for my business?
  • Should I consider diversifying my business?
  • Can I increase productivity to improve farm profits?
  • How can I maintain cash flow and profitability?
  • What other help is available to address the pressures on my farm business?

Podcast

In this podcast, Foot Anstey's experts talk to our Director, Stewart Horne, about the huge changes to agricultural funding that farmers are now facing. They discuss the concerns farmers have with the changes, as well as highlighting some of the funding support now available, future funding changes, and how farmers are best placed to capitalise on them.

Find us at these forthcoming shows

BIP at the Royal Bath & West Dairy Show
BIP at the Royal Bath & West Dairy Show

Somerset
4 October > Royal Bath & West Dairy Show

About us

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Our team of friendly agricultural advisors have a wealth of experience and expertise across all types of farm business. Through this free support, they can tailor the advice to your specific needs and prepare you for the changes ahead.

Who we're working with

To deliver this support across the South West, we are working with a number of partner organisations, who bring their own skills and expertise to help farmers adapt to the changes happening across the agricultural industry.

Devon County Council Logo
ND Plus Logo
Creedy Associates Logo 2
FWAG Logo
DR Logo
SBA Logo
Cosmic logo

Areas we can help you with





One to One Advice

We have a local network of highly experienced consultants and advisors who can sit down with you and get under the skin of your farm business. They will work with you to assess your current position, how the changes are going to affect you and your farm and discuss the options available to you. Carried out in-person or remotely, they will perform a thorough, independent review of all your activities and help to develop an agreed action plan for the future.

Book a One-to-One Appointment

If you would like to talk to an agricultural advisor about your farm business please fill in your details below and we'll get back to you shortly.

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    Agricultural Transition Workshops

    Join us at one of our local agricultural transition workshops. They we will be running these throughout Devon initially from October 2022 and for the rest of the region from November. These sessions will outline the changes, how to handle the reduction in BPS payments, discuss new grant schemes and assess options for the future.

    All of our available workshops can be found below.

    The Latest Farm Grants Update

    St Erme Community Centre Castle Field Trispen, Truro, Cornwall/Scilly, United Kingdom

    Update on grants and funding schemes available to farming businesses This free workshop provides up-to-date information to farmers aiming to build farm business resilience and profitability. We review how new and existing funding schemes, such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship, have changed, and how those schemes could apply to your farm and build your business. We also ... Read More

    Free

    The Latest Farm Grants Update

    Rosuick Organic Farm Rosuick Organic Farm, Saint Martin, Cornwall, United Kingdom

    Update on grants and funding schemes available to farming businesses This free workshop provides up-to-date information to farmers aiming to build farm business resilience and profitability. We review how new and existing funding schemes, such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship, have changed, and how those schemes could apply to your farm and build your business. We also ... Read More

    Free

    The Latest Farm Grants Update

    Okehampton Business Centre Higher Stockley Mead, Okehampton, Devon, United Kingdom

    This free workshop provides up-to-date information to farmers aiming to build farm business resilience and profitability. We review how new and existing funding schemes, such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship, have changed, and how those schemes could apply to your farm and build your business. We also outline other schemes and grants that may apply to your ... Read More

    Free

    The Latest Farm Grants Update

    Modbury Sports Pavilion QE11 Recreation Ground, Chatwell Lane, Modbury, Devon, United Kingdom

    This free workshop provides up-to-date information to farmers aiming to build farm business resilience and profitability. We review how new and existing funding schemes, such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship, have changed, and how those schemes could apply to your farm and build your business. We also outline other schemes and grants that may apply to your ... Read More

    Free

    Specialist Topic - Small Group Webinars

    In addition to the transition workshops and one-to-one support, we will be delivering a range of specialist, small group workshops where we can discuss and focus on particular topics to help improve your farm business and manage your transition. We will be developing these over the course of the programme. The topics we're currently covering include:
    • Exiting the industry
    • Woodland creation
    • Family succession planning
    • Business diversification
    • Adding value to food and drink
    • Productivity
    • Environmental schemes
    • Business planning and cashflow
    • Marketing
    • Grant schemes.

      Farm Equipment and Technology Fund: a guide to applying

      Online , United Kingdom

      The Farm Equipment and Technology Fund offers three separate grants opportunities to apply for. The Farm Equipment and Technology Fund offers three separate grants opportunities, for equipment to improve animal health, improve productivity, and manage slurry. Successful applicants can access grants worth a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £50,000 (£25,000 for animal welfare items). As a competitive fund, ... Read More

      Free

      Exploring SFI Options for Your Farm in 2024

      Online , United Kingdom

      With reduction of income from the Basic Payment Scheme over the next few years, all farmers are considering how develop their businesses. With the reduction of income from the Basic Payment Scheme over the next few years, all farmers are considering how to develop their businesses. With the reduction of income from the Basic Payment Scheme over the next few ... Read More

      Free

      Family Business Succession in Farming

      Online , United Kingdom

      During this workshop we will help start you on the process to help you develop a transition plan from one generation to the next. Succession planning as a farmer can be challenging for all involved in the family business. Only 13% of family run businesses have a succession plan in place and that is reflected in the statistics, with only ... Read More

      Free

      SFI Scheme: How to Prepare and Submit a Successful Application

      Online , United Kingdom

      The Sustainable Farming Incentive is Defra's flagship offering to the farming community. The Sustainable Farming Incentive is available to the farming community, rewarding farmers for environmental benefits provided through their land management practices. As the area-based Basic Payment Scheme is phased out, SFI represents an important consideration for farmers seeking to maximise farm income. For farmers who choose to enter ... Read More

      Free

      Digital Training

      Digital agency and social enterprise, Cosmic will be providing training to help improve your digital skills, which will include free workshops, as well as one-to-one advice, and training to help build digital confidence and enable your to better manage the day-to-day running of the farm business.

      This could include making applications and requesting payments for Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements, submitting tax online to HMRC, or promoting a diversified farm using social media, Google or paid online advertising. The sessions are delivered in a no-nonsense, practical, and supportive manner, free of jargon! They will:

      • Help to identify your digital technology needs from the very basics through to advanced skills
      • Provide training from highly skilled practitioners who have years of experience and the proven ability to tackle Digital and technology challenges
      • Support you in a uniquely kind, friendly and inspiring way
      • Grow your confidence and trust in technology in a safe and responsible way
      • Increase your confidence, reduce isolation, and improve digital literacy

      All of our available workshops can be found below.

      Introduction to Farm Management Software

      Online , United Kingdom

      Find out more about Farm Management Software & how it can be used to optimise farm operations, productivity & enhance decision making This workshop is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, tools, and techniques involved in effectively utilising farm management software. This workshop aims to equip farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to optimise ... Read More

      Free

      Excel for your Farm Business

      Online , United Kingdom

      Learn how to use Excel to support your farm business with creating spreadsheets, managing information and keeping records Excel is one of the most important tools for Farm Admin. The workshop will teach you the basics of using Excel to support your farm business with creating spreadsheets, managing information, and keeping records. We will explore how Excel can be used ... Read More

      Free

      Rural Support & Wellbeing

      Living and working in the farming community can be hugely rewarding, but it also comes with its own unique challenges. 

      Maybe it’s the day-to-day practicalities of running your business. Maybe it’s worries about money, safety or rural crime. Or perhaps you have concerns about succession or you're feeling isolated and lonely. Whatever support you need, you can access help.

      The Trading Standards Farming Partnership includes lots of organisations who all understand the challenges of farming and can support you to overcome them. Talk to their team and they can link you up with the support you need.

      Mental Health Awareness Workshops

      The Rural Support and Wellbeing project aims to raise awareness of the rural wellbeing support services available to the farming community through specialist workshops and representation at rural events, such as livestock markets and agricultural shows.

      Over the course of the winter, the team will be running a series of winter wellbeing webinars to give you an opportunity to focus on particular topics to help you think about your own wellbeing, as well as your farm business. These will be running on the first Thursday of every month, from 6pm to 8pm.

      If you missed the previous webinars in the series, you can watch them on the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service YouTube channel. Topics covered include:

      Rural Road Safety

      Farm Safety & Holistic Wellbeing

      Find the latest workshops below or sign-up to our agricultural newsletter to be notified as soon as new workshops become available.

      Rural Support: TB & Animal Welfare

      Online , United Kingdom

      Exploring TB and animal welfare. Guest speakers to be announced Overview The Rural Support and Wellbeing project, run by the Heart of the South West Trading Standards service, aims to raise awareness of the rural support services available to the farming community, through specialist workshops and representation at rural events, such as livestock markets and agricultural shows. This project is ... Read More

      Free
      If you'd like to receive updates about this support programme, as well as the latest information on agricultural grants, government schemes and news from Defra, please fill in your details below. (You can unsubscribe at any time).