Farming and land stewardship
We target our funded schemes, knowledge and advice to farmers and land managers throughout the country, whilst giving guidance and leadership to our partners, farming community and government.
On this page:
What's in it for farmers?
Why are we doing this?
How can I get involved?
What else do we offer?
What's in it for farmers?
On our most popular scheme, farmers and land managers could earn £30 per hectare for environmental management at the entry level. Find out more about funding for farmers and land managers.
Why are we doing this?
- To make sure land is well managed and keeps its traditional character.
- To protect England's historic features and natural resources.
- To look after wildlife, species and their habitats.
- To ensure traditional livestock and crops are conserved for the future.
- To provide opportunities for you to visit and learn about the countryside.
How can I get involved?
Farmers and land managers
If you are a farmer or land manager you may be able to access funded schemes that work with your farm business. You can also benefit from our farm visits and events to get the best environmental outcome for your land.
Families and schools
If you and your family want to know more and see how farmers are looking after the land you can visit a farm or country estate, get your school involved through Educational access
, or take your family to Open Farm Sunday.
FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) is the leading charity inspiring children to learn more about food, farming and the countryside - where their food comes from, how it is produced, how the countryside is looked after.
Partners
Your organisation or business can also work with us to get the best from the countryside and environment, through sponsorship and marketing opportunities. Our land agents page gives updates on what's happeining on land stewardship.
What else do we offer?
Advice and information
Funding schemes are supported by sound advice and information. Contact us
Farm visits and events - provide advice and information through farm walks, workshops, clinics and farm visits
Organic conversion advice - free advice on the practicalities of converting to organic production.
England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative - aims to reduce the pollution of surface-water bodies caused by farming operations.
Cross Compliance
- is the set of conditions which claimants of direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have to meet. Such payments include those made under the Single Payment Scheme and certain Rural Development schemes.
Regulation
Regulations have been introduced to encourage better land management practice and to protect the natural environment. We have responsibilities in connection with some of these regulations, for example the Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2007. Find out more in Regulation and licensing.
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Record numbers of visitors attend Open Farm Sunday
(12 June 2013) This year’s Open Farm Sunday took place on 9 June and looks set to be one of the most successful ever! With fine weather and sunshine across most of the country, thousands of people headed out to visit one of the more than 365 local farms that took part this year.
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Created by the industry, for the industry - new livestock feed planner launched at Beef Expo
(29 May 2013) An innovative new Tried & Tested guide and tool, ‘Feed Planning for Cattle and Sheep’, was launched on the Natural England and Catchment Sensitive Farming stand at last week’s Beef Expo 2013 show in Malvern.
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New funding to help flood-hit farmers on the Somerset Levels and Moors
(15 April 2013) Farmers on the Somerset Levels and Moors, who are recovering from the devastating effects of last year’s weather, will be helped by a new Somerset County Council project, which has been backed by Natural England.
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2012 marks the silver jubilee of the nation’s agri-environment schemes
(9 November 2012) The first agri-environment schemes were set up in 1987, with the introduction of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme (ESAs), to help conserve and improve the rural environment by encouraging environmentally friendly farming methods.
Select a region
Land management developments
Information on transition to the next programme and development of a new scheme
Environmental Stewardship
Open to all farmers, land managers and tenants in England, you can receive payment to deliver effective environmental management on your land.
Celebrating 25 years of agri-environment schemes
Already in a scheme? You still have options
Advice and updates to make sure you are maximising environmental and financial benefits.
Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE)
The Campaign, in wide partnership, seeks to increase the uptake of Environmental Stewardship. How to get involved.
The Prince's Countryside Fund
Inspired by the Prince of Wales, provides money to support long term sustainability of the British countryside, raised from Business in the Community projects.
Related websites