The Countryside Stewardship Scheme 2019 is now open and free advice is available to all members of the Sandstone Ridge Farmer Network (SRFN).

With 5 different elements to the scheme, and potential in some cases to have multiple schemes, there should be something to suit most farms:

• Hedgerow and Boundary Grants - up to £10,000 per application is available for boundary restoration on your farm. 2 year agreement which includes coppicing, laying, gapping up and new hedgerow trees but no fencing. Deadline for applications 3rd May
• Stand-alone Water Quality Capital Grants - up to £10,000 available for items designed to improved water quality of the Dee catchment including concrete yard renewal, roofing over stock gathering areas and manure stores, watercourse fencing, farm tracks and based for troughs.
• Wildlife Offers - 4 simplified offers (mixed, arable, lowland and upland) designed to benefit pollinators and farmland birds. Simple to apply for and non-competitive. Deadline for applications 31st July 2019
• Full Mid-Tier Application – full list of options and capital works available, no cap on capital works so useful for larger water quality projects above the £10k stand-alone grant. Payments for organic land, maintenance of farm buildings and wet grassland/parkland. Deadline for applications 31st July 2019
• Woodland Support – Woodland creation, management plans and tree health grants are open all year for applications. The creation grant is for a 2 year capital works programme to plant and protect young trees. A maintenance payment of £200 per hectare is then available for 10 years through Higher Tier.

If members of the SRFN need any help in this respect, then contact Nicky on nicola@elmassociates.co.uk or call her on 07794 082860