Grants for Farmers
Grants offered by Portsmouth Water
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Schemes
Our Payment for Ecosystem Services Scheme is currently closed. We will review the scheme for potential re-opening from April 2025.
Capital Grant
Our Capital Grant Scheme is currently closed. We will review the scheme for potential re-opening from April 2025.
Grants & services offered by Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF)
Capital Grant
Offers either a number of stand-alone items up to £10,000 or, a much greater number of items and greater funding as part of a Mid or Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship application. These grants are for environmental improvements and much of the Downs & Harbours area is targeted.
All applications will need the involvement of a Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer (CSFO) in order to qualify.
To read more about the Grant Scheme and how to make an application please click on the following button:
Free services & advice
CSF can provide a number of free services and specialist advice to farmers and landowners. To reduce the loss of nutrients, pesticides and soils currently entering the water environment.
Free Services include:
-
Nutrient Management Plans
-
Soil testing
-
Soil Management
-
Infrastructure Audits
-
Pesticide Handling advice visits
For further information on funding support, please see the leaflets below:
To find out if your farm is eligible and how to apply please contact the local CSF officer at: george.tinker@naturalengland.org.uk
Grants offered by Defra
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is now open for applications via the Rural Payments service.
Through the SFI, farmers will be paid for looking after the natural environment in the course of their farming.
This initial offer will pay farmers for taking care of their soil, with more actions being added as the scheme develops.
The leaflet below provides an overview of eligibility, what you can apply for and how to apply.
Who is eligible?
You can apply for SFI if:
-
You're eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme
-
The land is wholly located in England and eligible for the standard you select
You'll also need to have management control of the land for the 3-year SFI agreement. This will usually be the person actively farming the land who is the owner occupier of tenant. For 'rolling' year-by-year tenancies, you can enter this land into SFI if you expect to have control for the full 3 years.
It's possible to include the same land in SFI and another scheme (such as Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship) if:
-
You and your land are eligible for each scheme
-
The activities or outcomes you're being paid for under each scheme are compatible
-
You're not being paid for a similar activity or outcome on the same area of land at the same time ("double funding")
Grants offered by Forestry Commission
Planting the right trees in the right places for the right reasons can provide far-reaching benefits for your farm business. With financial incentives available and expert support on hand, woodland creation can help you diversify, generate reliable revenue streams and deliver environmental benefits that support your wider land management goals.
-
Generate income from timber, wood fuel, fruit, nuts and tourism
-
Provide shade and shelter for livestock
-
Reduce soil and nutrient losses
-
Improve water and air quality
-
Store carbon to help combat climate change
-
Create new habitats for wildlife
-
Reduce flood risk
England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
In addition to covering the standard capital costs of tree planting (up to a cap of £10,200 per ha) and annual maintenance payments of £350 per ha for 10 years, EWCO also offers ‘Additional Contributions’ (per ha) for:
-
Nature recovery: £1,100 to £2,800
-
Water quality: £400
-
Reduced flood risk: £500
-
Riparian buffers: £1,600
-
Close to settlements: £500
-
Public access: £2,200
Find out more below:
To find out more please contact: SELwoodlandcreation@forestrycommission.gov.uk