March was a month of ups and downs.

The lowest of lows was the sudden closure of SFI. This shock decision has left a lot of businesses facing uncertainty and potential financial difficulties. In these challenging times it is worthwhile investing in expert business advice to help identify which actions are most appropriate for your business to reduce operating costs, increase profitability, alternative income streams, diversification opportunities or potential options for borrowing. We have included an outline of the current position with SFI in the Funding & Schemes section below.

The highest of highs saw the Hub team meeting King Charles not once but twice!  Kate and Sarah were invited to a reception hosted by the Royal Countryside Fund at Buckingham Palace following an invitation from their founding patron His Majesty The King. The special event honoured RCF and the organisations they support through their Farm Support Group Initiative. A week later, Kate returned accompanied by Dan and ten farming families for the launch of the RCF & Regenified programme which will support 20 local farms to explore getting Regen certified – see more on this below! We are proud to partner with RCF, an organisation that recognises the true value of family farms. The support and opportunities they provide us with ensures our work supporting the agricultural community in Herefordshire can continue and adapt to the challenges arising each year.

In this months newsletter you’ll find details of current consultations, often harder to justify time for but we encourage you to engage with the ones currently open on Herefordshire Council’s Nature Recovery mapping and Defra’s Land Use Framework – both of which could inform future prioritisation for funding schemes so are important for any land you own or farm.  We have a joint event with the NFU this Wednesday which will explain more about these so join us if you can.

NFU Webinar: Grants & Government Land Proposals 

Wed 2nd April

1pm to 2pm

Note: online registration closes the day prior to the event at 1pm

More information click here

Women What Farm - Spring Wreath Making & Pottery

Fri 4th April 

12:30pm to 3:30pm

Peterchurch Village Hall, HR2 0RS 

Click here for more info & to book

Herefordshire HR Clinic 

Wed 16th April 

9:45am to 12:30pm

The Shell Store, Hereford HR2 6SR

Click here for more info & to book

Mental Health Awareness Workshop 

Wed 16th April 

1:30pm to 8:30pm

Duchy of Cornwall, Dewsall, HR2 8DA 

Click here for more info & to book

AHDB Webinar: Talking Leaders: The Innovator cultivating change

Thurs 17th Apr 

11:30am to 12:30pm 

Click here for more info & to book

Charity Fundraiser A Night with The Beatles

Mon 21st April

6:30pm to late

Lower House Farm, Tyberton HR2 9PT

Click here for more information

Employers in Herefordshire are being urged to exercise caution when using AI-powered tools for HR advice and employment law guidance, following reports of serious consequences for businesses.

Help Shape Herefordshire’s Nature Recovery Map

Herefordshire Council is developing a Nature Recovery Map to guide habitat restoration across the county. Using data from local experts, national databases, and biological records, the map identifies:

• Existing priority habitats

• Opportunities for woodland, open habitat, and wetland restoration

• Wildlife corridors, including traditional orchards

The map uses least-cost path analysis to assess how easily species can move through different landscapes. Agricultural land and sites of historical importance have been carefully considered to balance conservation with other priorities.

They are now seeking your local knowledge to refine and improve the map. Your feedback will help ensure it accurately reflects Herefordshire’s landscape and supports effective nature recovery.

Have your say! Complete the survey and help shape this vital tool for conservation.  Click here 

Land Use Consultation is Open

The Government has launched a consultation to develop a Land Use Framework for England, aiming to optimise land use for various needs, including food production, housing, infrastructure, and environmental conservation. This initiative seeks to balance competing demands on land to ensure sustainable growth and address challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Key Components of the Framework:

• Guiding Principles: Establishing core principles to inform government policies affecting land use.

• Policy Adaptation: Exploring how existing policies and support mechanisms can evolve to facilitate sustainable land use changes.

• Data and Tools: Providing access to land use data and developing tools to assist farmers and land managers in making informed decisions.

Why Your Input Matters:

As stewards of the land, farmers' insights are crucial in shaping policies that directly impact agriculture and rural communities. Your feedback will help ensure that the Framework supports sustainable farming practices, protects prime agricultural land, and addresses the challenges facing the farming sector today.

Submit your response here... 

Deadline for Responses: Friday, 25th April 2025

Your participation is vital for the future to create a balanced and effective Land Use Framework that reflects the needs and aspirations of the farming community. By contributing your perspective, you help shape the future of land management in England, ensuring that policies are practical, supportive, and conducive to a thriving agricultural sector.

Farming Help Charities Seek Farmers’ Views on Key Challenges

The Farming Help charities—The Farming Community Network (FCN) and Addington Fund—are asking farmers to share their views on the biggest challenges in farming today. Their new survey aims to identify key concerns such as succession planning, mental health, labour shortages, and financial sustainability.

As they shape their future strategies, these charities want to ensure their support services meet the real needs of farming communities. Your input will help guide their work and highlight any gaps in available support.

The survey takes just 5 minutes and is open until 30th April 2025. Participants can enter a draw to win a £50 M&S gift card.

Complete the survey here

Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of farming support. 

SFI Update

Defra closed the window for applications to SFI 2024 on the evening of 11 March 2025, on the grounds that all of its budget has been allocated.

• Farmers with live agreements will continue to be paid under the terms of their existing SFI agreement for its duration.
• Any outstanding eligible applications submitted before the window closed will be processed.
• Farmers who receive an agreement offer need to accept it within 10 working days of it being offered or it may be withdrawn.
• People who had started an SFI application but had not got to the point of submission, will no longer be able to apply, with a limited number of exceptions.
• If you are in or were in the SFI Pilot you will be able to apply on the same area of land when your pilot agreement ends.  If you were in the Pilot and your agreement has ended already but you haven’t submitted an application for the expanded SFI offer yet, you will still be able to apply.
• Defra has announced its intention to introduce a reformed version of the scheme, details of which will be announced in the summer once it knows the outcome of the Spending Review (due to conclude in the first half of June).

DEFRA - Capital Grants Scheme Update for 2025/26

DEFRA have announced that the 4,040 applications that were put on hold in November 2024 will now be processed. If you submitted an application, there’s no need to take any action – it will be processed, and if approved, you’ll receive an agreement to complete your project.

For those who haven’t applied yet, it is advised for you to submit an application once the improved scheme reopens later this year through the Rural Payments service. Guidance will be available once the scheme reopens on GOV.UK

About the Capital Grants Scheme
The scheme helps farmers and land managers fund environmental projects such as tree planting, habitat restoration, and improvements to air and water quality. These projects provide long-term benefits, including reducing pollution and improving the environment.

Improvements to the Scheme
To ensure fairness and manage high demand, spending caps have been introduced:

• £25,000 for water, air, and flood management projects
• £35,000 for boundaries, trees, and orchards

These caps do not apply to capital plans, and applicants can apply in more than one category, but only one application per year is allowed per Single Business Identifier (SBI). The application window will now be open year-round to ensure a fair process and sustainability.

New Funding Opportunities for Farmers Announced

Several new funding schemes are going to be available to support innovation and sustainability in farming:

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF)
FETF provides grants of £1,000 to £25,000 for equipment, technology, and infrastructure to improve productivity, slurry management, and animal health. This spring, £30 million will be available for productivity and slurry projects, and £16.7 million for animal health. We’ll update you when applications open.

Farming Innovation Programme (FIP)
FIP supports innovative farming methods and technologies through competitions, including:

• Precision Breeding (up to £12.5 million) for genetic technology.
• Net Zero Farming (up to £12.5 million) to support sustainable farming.
• Industry-led Competitions (up to £17.6 million) for various R&D stages.

FIP has already invested £51.8 million, funding projects like solar panels for greenhouses and methane-reducing cattle feed. We'll share more when application details are available.

Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies Fund (ADOPT)
Opening in Spring 2025, ADOPT will provide grants of £50,000 to £100,000 for farmer-led innovation projects. A dedicated Support Hub, led by RSK ADAS, will help with applications.

Up to £63 million will be available across FIP and ADOPT starting in 2025/26.

Funding Now Available for Livestock Health and Welfare Reviews

From 26th February 2025, livestock farmers can apply for funding to support both the Animal Health and Welfare Review and the endemic disease follow-up for multiple species.

The Animal Health and Welfare Review includes disease testing for conditions such as Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in pigs, and worming resistance in sheep. Vets will also assess biosecurity and provide tailored advice to improve animal health, welfare, and productivity.

The endemic disease follow-up, which is the second phase of the review, offers further testing and advice based on the review's findings.

Farmers can access up to three review and follow-up visits per year from 2024 to 2027, ensuring continuous support as farm management challenges evolve.

For more details on how to apply, click here.

Funding and Grants for Agroforestry

1. Check whether you are in a sensitive area for tree planting
2. Make use of the agroforestry plan capital item (PA4)
3. Consider tree species suitability 
4. Consider whether you require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
5. Choose the right tree guard.

Update on Avian Influenza in Herefordshire

On 4th March 2025, a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed at a premises near Kington. A 3km monitoring zone has been set up around the affected site, and sadly, the infected birds will be culled to stop the spread.

With the risk still high, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been extended. This means all poultry and captive birds in Herefordshire must remain housed under strict biosecurity measures. The restrictions also apply to Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, and parts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Shropshire.

What You Need to Do

• Keep birds housed and follow all biosecurity rules.

• Check DEFRA’s interactive map for updates on restriction zones. interactive map  

• Be vigilant – report any signs of disease immediately.

Reporting Suspected Bird Flu

? England: 03000 200 301
? Wales: 03003 038 268

For full guidance from DEFRA, please click here.

Regenified - Pilot Programme

Herefordshire Rural Hub are working with the Royal Countryside Fund to explore the Regenified certification scheme.

This pilot programme is available for a group of 20 farming businesses and provides an exciting opportunity to participate in a series of workshops over the spring and summer with advisers on regenerative farming.

The programme includes an event at Groundswell in early July. Upon completion of the pilot programme, participants will have the opportunity to progress into Regenified's certification process at a much-reduced rate. 

If you have been exploring regenerative farming methods on your farm and would like to enquire about one of the final few places remaining on this pilot programme please contact dan@herefordshireruralhub.co.uk

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Update in Herefordshire 

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Support

CSF have five officers working across Herefordshire: Alice Probert and Rob Edwards cover the Arrow, Lugg, and Frome catchments, Nick Hinchliffe and Tom Lancashire cover the Wye, and Amy Stephens handles the Leadon.

CSF offers free, confidential advice to help you meet regulations and improve farm efficiency through better nutrient, manure, and soil management. Officers also assist with government schemes the upcoming Higher Tier.

Capital Grant Scheme Update
The Capital Grant Scheme will reopen this summer after a pause. Some items require CSF approval, so if you’re planning to apply, arrange a visit soon. The scheme will provide up to £25,000 for water, air, and flood management projects, and £35,000 for boundary and tree works.

Book Your CSF Visit
To request support, email Part 1 of the Request_for_CSF_support_form to csf.severn@naturalengland.org.uk.

Farming with Nature

• Land Management
• Natural Asset Reviews & Farm Plans
• ELM Advice and Applications
• Peer to Peer Knowledge Exchange
• Conservation Project Management
• Wildlife and Survey Monitoring
• Natural Flood Management
• Watercourses
• Pond Creation and Management
• Environmental Regulation Compliance
• Woodland management.

Species-Rich Grassland: Advisory Services from Herefordshire Meadows

• Advice & guidance regarding management or restoration of species-rich grassland.
• Grassland assessment for suitability of SFI options for livestock, soil health, flood and drought resilience and biodiversity.
• Grassland surveys e.g. assessing suitability for GRH6 option.
• Guidance regarding permanent grassland, floodplain and cultivated land.

The Jack Hughes Fund supports the cost of training for members of Herefordshire’s farming community.

“The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay” Henry Ford

Apprenticeships, Training &
Short Courses available

• Animal care & welfare
• Farm Worker
• Forestry & arboriculture
• Welding
• Farriery

• Felling & processing trees
• Safe use of pesticides
• Tractor Driving
• Welding, metal work & fabrication
• Blacksmithing
• Chainsaw maintenance

Agriculture Health and Safety:
How to Meet Your Legal Responsibilities (E-Learning)

Kate Speke-Adams -
Hub Managing Director

For details about our projects & opportunities to work with us click here.

Sarah Starkey -
Hub Farm Resilience Project Manager

For info about any of our resilience projects click here.

Victoria Stanton-Humphreys -
Hub Finance Officer

For queries about finance & invoicing 
click here.

Jennie Hermolle -
Hub Wyescapes Engagement & Communications Manager

For information about our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery project click here 

To advertise events, services, training and job opportunities with us click here. 

Deadline for print copy 24th of each month.

We're proud to be part of the
Royal Countryside Fund's
Farm Support Group Initiative