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Helping Rural Businesses Thrive |
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The drop of rain we had has encouraged a bit of grass growth and the settled conditions now are allowing for good progress to made with spring planting.
This month we have a change in the team with Victoria relocating to London, and welcoming Sue Powell as our new Finance Officer. We’re grateful for all the support Victoria has given the Hub over the last 18 months and look forward to you meeting Sue in due course!
We still await news later this summer of what may replace SFI, in the meantime Defra are releasing a number of technology and research grants. Herefordshire Council will also soon launch a further round of the Rural Enterprise Fund and have just opened the Business Growth and Investment Fund. Details of all currently launched can be found in Funding & Schemes update below. |
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| | | Herefordshire Young Farmers County Rally Show
Sat 17th May
9:30am to 4pm
Kelsmoor Dairy, Yew Tree Farm, Garway HR2 8RF
Click here for more info |
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| Rengerative Farming & Potato Companion Cropping Farm Tour with Regen Ben
Wed 21st May
10am to 2pm
Townsend Farm, Brampton Abbotts HR9 7JE
Click here for more info & to book
Please note bookings close Tues 20th May |
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| | Shropshire: Buitelaar Beef B&B Open Day
Wed 21st May
10:30am to 2:30pm
Church Stretton, Shropshire
Click here for more info & to book
Please note venue will be confirmed upon booking. |
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The cost of rural crime in Herefordshire remained at £1.1m in 2023, according to figures released from NFU Mutual’s Rural Crime Report 2024. The report reveals that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023, up from £50.6m the previous year.... |
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UKSPF Business Growth and Investment Fund :
Now Open for Expressions of InterestHerefordshire Council has opened the UKSPF Business Growth and Investment Fund (BGIF) for expressions of interest. This capital grant scheme, funded through the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation for 2025/26, supports the purchase of capital equipment and minor internal building works. The fund aims to drive business growth across Herefordshire by creating more and better-paid jobs, boosting productivity, and encouraging the adoption of new technologies, processes, products, and services to improve competitiveness. Grant Details
Businesses can apply for capital grants covering up to 75% of their total project costs: Existing businesses (trading for 12 months or more; - Minimum grant: £5,000 (minimum project cost: £6,666)
- Maximum grant: £24,999 (minimum project cost: £33,333)
(Higher grants may be considered in exceptional cases.) Start-up businesses (trading for less than 12 months); - Minimum grant: £5,000 (minimum project cost: £6,666)
- Maximum grant: £10,000 (minimum project cost: £13,333)
Building works only; Deadlines to NoteExpressions of interest must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 11 May 2025. (Please note: the fund may close earlier if the budget is fully allocated.) Full applications must be submitted by midnight on Monday 26 May 2025. For full criteria and details on how to apply, click here |
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New Innovation Funding for Farmers - ADOPT Grants Round 1 Now OpenDEFRA has launched the new ADOPT Fund (Accelerating Development of Practices from Trials) to support farmer-led projects that test and demonstrate innovative ideas on-farm. This is a great opportunity for farmers, growers, and foresters in England to lead the way in improving sustainability, productivity, and resilience.
A dedicated ADOPT Support Hub, led by ADAS with support from the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the Soil Association, is also available to provide free advice and connect applicants with relevant expertise.
There are two types of grants available: |
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The Full ADOPT Grant : Round 1
Between £50,000 and £100,000 for practical on-farm trials and demonstrations of new approaches or technologies. Applications open from 28 April 2025,
closing 25 June 2025 at 11am.
Please click the following link - Full ADOPT Grant Overview & Application -
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Herefordshire Rural Hub are registered as ADOPT facilitators who can assist with applications.
Please contact Dan Smith if you would like help preparing an application.
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| | The ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant :
Round 1
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New Funding Available for Farm Innovation Defra has released guidance for two new funding competitions under the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), opening on 5 May 2025. These aim to support innovation and sustainability in agriculture. 1. Precision Breeding InnovationFunding for projects developing new crop or livestock varieties using advanced breeding techniques—like gene editing or marker-assisted selection—to improve resilience, yield, or disease resistance. 2. Farming for Low EmissionsSupports innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farming. Eligible ideas include low-emission machinery, feed additives, and improved slurry or land management. Who Can Apply?Open to farmers, growers, foresters, businesses, and researchers. Collaborative projects are encouraged. Full guidance is now available on the Defra Farming Blog. |
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Funding Available to Improve Livestock Health and Welfare
Herefordshire livestock farmers can access funding through Defra’s Improve Animal Health and Welfare (IAHW) scheme, supporting proactive vet visits to improve herd and flock health as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.
What’s Covered?
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Animal Health and Welfare Review: A vet visit to assess your animals, test for key diseases, and provide tailored advice.
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Follow-Up Testing: Additional vet support to manage endemic diseases identified in the review.
Funding Levels (per species):
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Pigs: £557 (review), £923 (follow-up)
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Sheep: £436 (review), £639 (follow-up)
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Beef: £522 (review), £837 or £215 (follow-up)
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Dairy: £372 (review), £1,714 or £215 (follow-up)
Who’s Eligible?
Farmers must:
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Apply before arranging a vet visit
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Keep at least 11 cattle, 51 pigs, or 21 sheep
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Be responsible for livestock in England
Up to three reviews and three follow-ups per species are allowed, spaced at least 10 months apart. Activities must be completed by 19 June 2027, with claims submitted by 19 September 2027.
How to Apply
Applications are open year-round. Start by registering on the GOV.UK website, then arrange a vet visit. |
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| | Plant Trees with Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods SchemeLandowners and farmers in Herefordshire can access funding and support through the Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods scheme, offering up to 75% funding to plant 500 or more trees over at least 0.5 hectares. Why Get Involved?
Planting trees can: Support biodiversity and wildlife Improve shelter for livestock Contribute to flood prevention Provide long-term income potential
What’s Included?
Eligible applicants benefit from: A site visit and tailored planting plan Trees and protective materials Optional contractor planting (60% funded for 1ha+ sites)
Who Can Apply?
Anyone with land suitable for planting 0.5 hectares or more, either in a single block or in multiple areas of at least 0.1 hectares, planting 1,000–1,600 trees per hectare. Apply Now
Applications are open for planting between November 2025 and March 2026. You’ll need a map and grid reference to apply. For more details and to apply, visit:
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/morewoods |
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Herefordshire Rural Hub work collaboratively with eleven organisations in the county through the Farm Herefordshire Partnership. This aims to reduce duplication, share resource and provide greater join up between partners. The partnership is chaired by two farmer representatives; Steve Klenk & Martin Williams.
We are delighted to share a summary of the partnerships impact in 2024 |
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Regenified - Pilot Programme |
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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 3 local workshops. 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 |
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Farming with Nature
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have a small expert team that can provide advice and support on:
- 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.
To find out more click here. |
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| | Species-Rich Grassland: Advisory Services from Herefordshire Meadows
Herefordshire Meadows offer several charged services for landowners:
- 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.
Visit the website to find out more, including current availability of funding for capital works or other free services. |
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Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) SupportCSF 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. |
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| | Herefordshire Natural Flood Management (NFM) Project:
Advice & grants availableAdvice and grants are available to support farmers in priority catchments to deliver actions on their farm to store more water on their land and in their soils to protect properties downstream at risk of flooding. The project covers: - Bodenham Brooks (above Bodenham)
- Brimfield Brook (above Brimfield and Orleton)
- Cheaton, Cogwell and Ridgemoor Brook system (above Leominster and Frome)
- Dulas Brook (above Ewas Harold)
- Pentaloe Brook (above Mordiford)
- Tedstone Brook (above Bromyard)
- Red, Norton and Twyford Brook system (above Rotherwas, Hereford).
To find out more click here and/ or contact the WUF Advisers Tom Jolley: tom.jolley@wyeuskfoundation.orgJonny Pugh: jonny@wyeuskfoundation.org |
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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 |
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Who was Jack Hughes?
Jack Hughes was the late founder of the Herefordshire Proficiency Test Committee (HPTC). Jack Hughes did much to ensure that training was available to the county’s farming community, particularly in relation to young farmers.
How much funding can I claim?
The Jack Hughes Fund will fund 70% of the cost of training up to a maximum of £200.
Are there any limitations?
Applicants must live in Herefordshire. Funding is limited to two applications per annum from a family farming business. Applicants must be over 18 years. Applications must be received and approved before you attend your course.
How do I apply?
The Jack Hughes Fund is managed by the Herefordshire Community Foundation for an application form you need to go to their website: Click Here |
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Apprenticeships, Training &
Short Courses availableRural Apprenticeships available, based at Holme Lacy campus include: - Animal care & welfare
- Farm Worker
- Forestry & arboriculture
- Welding
- Farriery
For more details click here or for enquiries click here.Training & short courses available throughout the year for: - Felling & processing trees
- Safe use of pesticides
- Tractor Driving
- Welding, metal work & fabrication
- Blacksmithing
- Chainsaw maintenance
For full course details click here or for enquiries click here. |
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| | Agriculture Health and Safety:
How to Meet Your Legal Responsibilities (E-Learning)
If you control or manage a farm, you are legally responsible for your safety and that of your employees, contractors, visitors, and anyone affected by your work.
The course consists of 8 modules, covering topics such as falls from height, falling objects, livestock, vehicles, children, electricity, and drowning and asphyxiation.
This will help farmers understand the legal responsibilities for their safety and that of their employees, contractors, visitors, and anyone affected by their work. It will also help farmers identify and manage safety risks.
The E-Learning course consists of training only and a Certificate of Attendance will be available to download and print upon successful completion.
Enrol on this FREE E-learning course click here. |
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| | Kate Speke-Adams -
Hub Managing Director
For details about our projects & opportunities to work with us click here. |
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| | | | Sarah Starkey -
Hub Farm Resilience Project Manager
For info about any of our resilience projects click here. |
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| | Sue Powell -
Hub Finance Officer
For queries about finance & invoicing
click here. |
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| | | | Rhia Bell -
Hub Administrator
For info about our events, newsletter & partnerships with Hereford Grassland
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| | Dan Smith -
Hub Farm Facilitator
For advice & support on nutrient management, grassland management or to share potential event topics click here. |
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| | | | Max Eckert -
Hub Wyescapes Programme Manager
For information about our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery project click here. |
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| | Jennie Hermolle -
Hub Wyescapes Engagement & Communications Manager
For information about our Wyescapes Landscape Recovery project click here |
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To advertise events, services, training and job opportunities with us click here.
Deadline for print copy 24th of each month. |
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| | We're proud to be part of the
Royal Countryside Fund's
Farm Support Group Initiative |
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Disclaimer The Herefordshire Rural Hub accepts no liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from any action taken in reliance on the information contained. |
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Herefordshire Rural Hub,
Agriculture House, Beech Business Park,
Tillington Road, Hereford
HR4 9QJ
Tel: 01432 268428
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