Maximise your funding opportunities
Enhance productivity and sustainability
It’s widely acknowledged that Countryside Stewardship (CS) rewards UK farmers and land managers for adopting environmental practices that protect and enhance the countryside. But CS can also fund significant farm infrastructure improvements.
Popular CS options include hedgerow and boundary management (BE3) and planting buffer strips (SW1), as well growing cover crops (SW6), creating species-rich wildflower meadows (GS6) and managing existing woodland on farms (WD2).
Using a similar ‘pick and mix’ approach as SFI, CS offers a reliable income stream through regular payments and a way to improve farm resilience, helping businesses plan for the future while contributing to the protection of the UK’s natural heritage.
Capital Grants provide the funding needed to make on-the-ground improvements that matter — saving time, improving operations, and benefiting the land.
Head of Commercial, Terrafarmer
Choosing the right Capital Grants
Popular CS Examples
These are just some of the most popular Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants:
This item helps control livestock, protects environmental features and helps to manage habitats. New fencing can help meet grazing requirements, prevent water pollution caused by farming, and protect environmental features, such as newly planted trees, buffer strips and field corners taken out of management.
Payment: £6.34 per metre
Funding to improve or upgrade existing outdoor (uncovered) yard drainage will reduce foul drainage volumes and runoff, makes cleaning easier, and reduces the risk of water and air pollution.
Payment: £33.64 per square metre
The frequent removal of slurry from livestock housing will reduce the levels of ammonia released into the air that impact air quality and the natural environment. Funding will cover units that run automatically using a hydraulic ram and ratchet drive system or a rope/chain and winch system with an electric motor.
Payment: £2,760 per passageway/channel
Funding to plant new shrubs to fill gaps in existing hedgerows. The connectivity of habitats is very important. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Payment: £17.22 per metre*
*The payment rate is for the total length of boundary under the option (not for each side of the boundary)
Installing new guttering and downpipes (rainwater goods) on existing farm yard buildings will prevent the discharge of clean water on to fouled yard areas, which will help reduce the risk of water pollution.
Payment: £11.55 per metre
This item will help create a range of environmental and social benefits that support wildlife, particularly when new woodland links habitats or creates a protective buffer. New trees reduce the risk of floods, improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and enhance the landscape. Trees also improve air quality by capturing ammonia emissions from livestock, slurry and digestate, reducing the impact on sensitive habitats and species and on human health. You can be paid up to £6,800 per hectare if you use this item to create new woodland.
Payment: £1.72 per tree
Making the most of CS grants
How we can help you
Identify
We will help you to identify the most appropriate CS grants for you and your farm business, maximising available funding.
Apply
We will gather all necessary data and information to submit your full application from start to finish, saving you time and worry.
Support
We will advise you on implementing all required actions, recording and submitting evidence on your behalf.
