Agri-Environment Grants & Schemes
If you have an agri-environment agreement, either under the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship scheme or an existing Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) or Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, you may find that you need support or advice to manage your agreements
.
Chris Seabridge and Associates can assist with scheme management, ensuring all records are up to date with scheme requirements. We can also offer help and guidance with completing your annual declarations, revenue and capital items claims.
To assist with your scheme our advisers carry out a check on the management of your options, for your peace of mind, and discuss practical ways to best manage your agreement, including:
- Help & advice on how derogation forms can be used to overcome problems and issues;
- Compliance assessments, assessing option management and / or a field inspection to check the location and size of options;
- Completion of Rural Land and Entitlement (RLE1) forms and Minor Temporary Adjustment (MTA) Forms
- Help and advice on keeping evidence to show you have carried out all the requirements of your agreement to support your claim or to support an inspection.
- Production of maps showing the location of management options across all Agri-Environment schemes
Currently closed to new applications in England, the Sustainable Farming Incentive was designed to reward farmers for maintaining and enhancing the natural environment, reducing carbon emissions and improving the health and welfare of farmed animals.
Details of a revised SFI scheme will be published Summer 2025 with applications expected to re-open at some point in 2026.
During the roll-out of SFI 2023 and Expanded SFI Offer 2024, Chris Seabridge & Associates surveyed over 90 farms and carried out Hedgerow Assessments, Soil Sampling, Grassland Surveys and Overall Farm assessments.
Still currently available via invitation only
You will only be invited to receive pre-application advice if you:
– Have an existing CS Higher Tier agreement coming to an end in or after 2025,
– Have an HLS agreement coming to an end after 2025,
– You have an approved woodland management plan in place
or
– You have completed preparatory work for an agri-environment scheme with approved plans already in place such as implementation plan or agroforestry plan.
We can offer assistance with Woodland Management Plans, Implementation Plans and Agroforestry plans in preparation for CS Higher Tier. We are also happy to liase with Natural England or the Forestry Commission to put your mind at ease whilst the application process is ongoing.
Contact us if you believe you fit the criteria for an invitation to apply for CS Higher Tier.
Since the most recent round of Capital Grant Funding in 2025 was only open for a month, we’d be happy to help you prepare early for the 2026 round—with maps, photos, and tailored advice to get you ready
Applications closed midday 10th July 2025
If you were successful with your application, you will have received a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) which needs to be accepted or withdrawn by 11th November 2025
Upon accepting your GFA, you will need to purchase and claim for items by midday 31st March 2026
Please contact us on 01785 594402 if you need assistance with FETF 2025 regarding agreement offers and claims.
If you need any support with Agri-Environment matters, feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.