Farmers' Guide to Capital Grants - Enhance your SFI Projects

With over 100 new actions due to be launched under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) expanded offer for 2024, it is beneficial to review potential capital works under the Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants that will compliment and support your chosen SFI actions.

The Countryside Stewardship Capital Grant is a standalone scheme, being renamed 'Capital Grant' as of January 2024. This grant is open for applications all year round and provides fixed rate funding for 70 standalone items with no limit on the maximum grant available.

Capital agreements allow 3 years for the works to be carried out. Claims can be submitted as soon as the works are complete and there is the option to submit numerous partial claims to aid cashflow where required.

The Capital Grant is an independent scheme but can also compliment new or pre-existing agreements, including:

• Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
• Existing Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and High Tier
• Environmental Stewardship (ES)

For example, hedgerows containing gaps that surpass 10% of the hedge's total length can only be entered into manage hedgerows (HRW2) SFI option if gapping up is actioned within the 3 year SFI agreement. The SFI Scheme rules allow applicants to apply for both management and capital grant funding. Therefore, complimenting HRW2 with a capital item such as Hedgerow gapping-up (BN7) and/or Planting new Hedges (BN11) can increase the length of hedgerows that are eligible for the SFI management payment. The combination will maximise funding and maintain healthy and established hedgerows across your holding.

At PFK Rural, we utilise our precise GPS mapping equipment to locate and measure field boundaries and features. Thereafter we are able to produce an overall farm plan of the features identified and their current condition. This has multiple benefits as the procedure identifies potential areas for grant funding alongside the necessary evidence to satisfy the RPA's requirements.