Free advice for plan to move to agroecological system
© Tim Scrivener Farmers considering incorporating sustainable farming practices can apply for a £1,100 grant to cover consultancy fees as part of Defra’s resilience funding to help businesses move from BPS to the new support regime.
Under the initiative, up to 80 farmers can receive two days of consultancy advice; the grant will also fund an agroecological action plan – a term covering sustainable farming which works with nature.
The programme is being managed by the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA), the Landworkers Alliance and the Organic Research Centre.
The PFLA says the support will not extend to a full, field-by-field conversion plan, but an experienced adviser will help farmers map out the future and the changes they will need to make to move their businesses in an agroecological direction.
See also: Farm resilience fund – where and how to access free advice
Farmers or land managers in England are eligible to apply if they are in receipt of the BPS and are operating in the dairy, red meat or mixed farming sectors or have a horticulture business covering more than 5ha.
The funding is available on a first come, first served basis. More information and the application form is available here.