Farmers sought to help shape the future of farming services

Farming has always required different ways of thinking. Now Defra wants to make sure its forms and guidance work for everyone.

Farming is as diverse as the people who make it happen. No two farmers work the same way, and no two farmers process information the same.

Defra is proud to support the Level the Field campaign, which champions inclusivity and diversity in the farming sector and enables a forum to discuss how best to support farmers.

Elston Farm © DEFRA

Neurodiversity can be a real strength in farming communities and brings unique perspectives, problem-solving skills and adaptability.

These skills can translate directly to better business outcomes: managing complex rotations or finding creative solutions when plans need to change.

Yet those same strengths can make navigating guidance on GOV.UK or physical forms more challenging. Defra is backing British farmers to build profitable, sustainable businesses.

Part of that means ensuring every farmer can quickly find the information they need and complete necessary paperwork without wasting valuable time.

A different approach to government forms

In recent years, the department has embedded user-friendly content design across its services.

It has brought more than 80 GOV.UK forms online to replace less accessible, paper-based processes.

Introducing things like simple headings, short text blocks and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers, helps to manage paperwork quickly between milking or when checking information on a phone in the field.

One farmer who used a new digital form to apply for a County Parish Holding number said: “I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was as a new livestock owner.”

Real results from real farmer input

Defra has been working with farmers with different thinking styles to help test and improve its services.

After one-to-one interviews with landowners, farmers, land agents and advisors about the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) guidance, Defra completely restructured the information.

Participants had shared specific difficulties finding and understanding what they needed.

The changes Defra made off the back of this valuable feedback have resulted in simplified, restructured guidance that farmers say is now easier to understand, find and navigate.

Cabilla Manor Farm © DEFRA

Your thinking could strengthen farming services

The Defra farming panel has been crucial to recent updates to online services.

It provides a direct line between farmers’ real-world experiences and the people designing forms and guidance.

The department is specifically looking for more farmers who process information differently.

If you’d like to get involved, consider signing up to our user research panel and help shape the future of farming services.

Together we can help every farmer to spend less time on admin and more time doing what they do best: producing food for our nation.

Register your interest in co-design