FREE environmental and business support for English farmers through Farm for the Future programme

The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) is inviting farm businesses to join our new Farm for the Future programme, which is being delivered both virtually and by local Farm Support Groups in 11 areas across England.

Farm for the Future provides free business and environmental management support so farmers are better placed to deal with the changes in policy, including the removal of BPS and the introduction of Environmental Land Management schemes.

By taking part in Farm for the Future, farmers will understand how to adapt their business to make the most of all upcoming opportunities, and be in the best position to plan for the removal of basic payments by 2028.

Farm for the Future will highlight future opportunities that may practically and financially benefit farms across England. Any tenant or owner-occupied farm currently in receipt of the Basic Payment Scheme in England is eligible to join the programme, and farmers can sign up until 31st October 2021.

The programme consists of a welcome meeting, two workshops and one to one support:

• Welcome meeting: An overview of the Agricultural Transition Plan and how the programme will respond to this through workshops and one-to-one support.
• Business Workshop: Understand and prepare your farm business for changes in agricultural policy, including the removal of BPS.
• Environment Workshop: Discover environmental opportunities within the ELM schemes that may financially and practically benefit your farm.
• One-to-one support: Discuss future opportunities or challenges with your local coordinator to help you plan for the future.

Charlii, a farmer who took part in a PCF programme in 2019 said: “The workshops have made us sit down and think about our business. We’ve become more aware of what business skills we need going forward. You rarely get the time to really look at the business, what do you like doing, what needs doing and how you can make it profitable.”

For farmers who aren’t based near to the three groups, there is also the opportunity to take part in Farm for the Future virtually. For more information and to express interest in taking part please visit www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture

Tessa Berridge writes of herself “I grew up on a family farm in Northamptonshire, so I have always been aware of the challenges facing farmers and our rural communities. I studied Geography and Education at Durham University and during this time I realised I wanted to work in the rural sector, so I went on to do a Business Management Masters at The Royal Agricultural University (RAU). I work as the Senior Communications and Events Officer at The Prince’s Countryside Fund where our vision is of family farms and rural communities that fulfil their role in creating a sustainable future for the countryside and our whole nation.”