Investing in Nature: New Income Opportunities for Farmers

** Open to farming businesses in East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon and Teignbridge.

For many farmers, SFI26 was the obvious and easiest way to generate some farm income from the environmental benefits they deliver. However, the recent and rapid closure of SFI26 to new applications means farmers need to be prepared to look elsewhere.

There are many ways for farmers to make biodiversity and environmental assets work harder as part of a farm business, but it’s a complex picture.

There are many routes — from conservation and habitat schemes to agroforestry, woodland, carbon, and Biodiversity Net Gain — but what do these opportunities actually look like on a working farm? Can different income streams work together? And which ones have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to farm income?

Join us for this online workshop as we explore the practical realities of using biodiversity as a potential source of diversified farm income.

• One farm’s journey: Aarron will share his experience of exploring environmental income on his farm — including Countryside Stewardship, FiPL, Forest for Cornwall, agroforestry, woodland and potential carbon credits.He’ll talk honestly about what has worked, what hasn’t, what he’d do differently and what he’s still figuring out — and how these opportunities fit alongside the core farming business.
• Biodiversity Net Gain and the private market: Richard will explain Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the emerging private market, including what habitat creation involves, what farmers are committing to, and how BNG can work in practice.
• Practical conversation and Q&A: We’ll bring the speakers together for an open conversation about the opportunities, challenges and practical realities of generating income from biodiversity and environmental management.

There’ll be plenty of opportunity for attendees to ask their own questions, share experiences and explore the issues that matter most to their farm businesses.

If you’re interested in making more of the natural assets on your farm — and looking beyond SFI26 — this online workshop is for you.

Please note that all attendees must complete a registration form as part of the funders’ participation requirements.