ELM Associates has partnered up with SoilMentor to bring to our land managers a resource for monitoring soil health.  SoilMentor has been designed by independent agroecologist Nicole Masters, author of ‘For the Love of Soil’ to help farmers know what healthy soils look like, to better understand the impact of land[…]

There are a multitude of grants and funding opportunities available. Find out more about the different options and see which may be most relevant to you.

The Sustainable Farm Incentive is to launch soon so be prepared: Permissions:  Applications will be done online and can only be done by someone who has Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) ‘Submit’ permission level.  If you want us to help you with the application, give us this level of permission by logging into[…]

On 26th May the Regenerative Agriculture Discussion Group went to visit Huw Foulkes at Pentrefelin Dairy in Denbighshire. Huw has been gradually bringing the family farm back in hand after the land was rented out for a number of years.  He now runs a small herd of Red Poll cows embracing a[…]

Prepare for your Slurry Investment Scheme Grant Application The Slurry Investment Scheme is aimed at supporting farmers with the financial investment required to upgrade slurry storage to reduce risk of air and water pollution, and will open for applications later this year.  The grant will offer funding towards new and expanded[…]

The Value of Long Grass – Leave some areas uncut! Allowing all types of grasses to grow longer in corners, along hedgerows and ditches will provide important seed and insect food for birds.  Longer grass also helps retain humidity and soil moisture, making it perfect for insect larvae and other[…]

3 different methods on Cheshire Farms Inter rowing v’s after harvest establishment Andrew Winward, Stapleford Hall Italian rye slot drilled after maize harvest 5th October rate of 32kg/ha Contractor cost £42 ha Good establishment but dependant on good weather conditions post harvest  Evan Jones Crewe Hall In association with Spunhill LG[…]

The Countryside Stewardship scheme is now open for applications. Some key changes have been introduced this year as part of Defra’s efforts to improve and simplify the scheme. Capital Grants Offer This year the two-year standalone Capital Grants offer has increased from 12 options in each category to 67 available[…]

What you need to know In 2022, Defra will be launching the first 4 ‘Standards’ of what will be a menu of 16 or more to be rolled out over the next 3 years.  For most situations, these payments can be accessed in 2022 and will make an important stepping stone[…]

Hedgerow Trees – Get prepared for the Sustainable Farming Incentive While the hedgerow standard isn’t being introduced until 2024 current guidance on likely standards includes information on hedgerow trees – and we have a lot of these in our local area! Payments and hedgerows trees required for 3 standards Standard[…]