Farm and Rural Grants

This guide offers a course through the maze of schemes and initiatives now available in England, Wales and Scotland. It seeks to explain these schemes, how they affect farming businesses and how extra cash can be accessed. It gives the background to how the wide range of grants and support plays a role in the process of change affecting agriculture in the UK.

Foreword

Farming and the rural economy in which it operates are undergoing major structural changes. These changes are affecting everything from size and scope of rural businesses, the markets they supply, the environment in which they operate and the way they are funded. The Government is committed to playing a key role in the process of change through a wide range of grant and support schemes. This guide seeks to explain these schemes, how they affect farming businesses and how extra cash can be accessed.

The fundamental principle of grant aid has changed over the past decade. Today, Government grants and schemes are far more targeted to achieve benefits to society and specifically the rural economy. Grants are aimed at achieving environmental benefits, improving marketing skills and making best use of existing resources. They are also designed to ensure that the skill base on which many rural businesses are founded are adequate and relevant to modern business demands. Many grant schemes are project based and competitive - as applicants compete with each other for a share of a ‘fixed pot’ of Government money.

The change in grant provision has been rapid and is far reaching, with a range of agencies involved in different protocols and criteria to meet.

This guide aims to help farming businesses plot a course through the maze of schemes and initiatives now available in England, Wales and Scotland.

Contents

1. Background to support changes
2. Rural grants available in England
   The support available:
   ESAs, CSS, ESS, ELS, OELS, HLS, Organic Farming Scheme, Woodland Farming Scheme, Energy Crops Scheme, Less Favoured Areas support, Rural Enterprise Scheme, Processing and Marketing Grant, Vocational Training Scheme, Farm Advice Service, Farm Diversification Planning Advice, Farm Waste Grant Scheme, Agriculture Development Scheme
3. Rural grants available in Wales
   The support available:
   ESAs, Tir Gofal, Tir Cynnal, OFS, Woodland schemes, Tir mynydd, Processing and Marketing Grant, Capital Grant Schemes, Training in Wales, Farming Connect
4. Rural grants available in Scotland
   The support available:
   ESAs, Rural Stewardship Scheme, Land Management Contracts, Organic Aid Scheme, The Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme, LFA Support Scheme,  The Farm Business Development Scheme, The Agriculture Business Development Scheme, Processing and Marketing Grant, Farm Waste Grant Scheme, Schemes for Crofters, Farm Business Advice and Skills Service
5. Useful contacts