The Wales Peatland Action Programme APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The Wales Peatland Action Programme is now open:

• Building on the work already done during the first two years of the programme, a new grant scheme opens 4^th April 2022 to 4^th July 2022.
• £100,000 capital funds are available as £10k-£30k grants to individuals and organisations for developing peatland conservation projects.
• The associated development Grants projects must be completed by end of March 2023.
• These could then be projects ready for delivery in 2023/24, potentially funded through the Wales Peatland Action Programme, or other funding streams.
• Webinars to explain the application process will be conducted on Teams on 26/4 (1:00pm) & 27/4 (10am & 11:30am) with registration in English and Welsh.
• The grants contribute to NRW’s strategic vision as Clare Pillman, Natural Resources Wales Chief Executive said at the launch: “Work to restore Welsh peatlands is showing signs of success, but there’s still a lot to do. That’s where the grants come in. With most Welsh peatlands still in a poor condition, we’re looking forward to a lot of interest from individuals and organisations across Wales that want to make a difference.”
• The grants are supported by Welsh Government with the Minister for Climate Change Julie James saying at the launch: “I encourage groups and communities to get involved in the restoration and protection of our bogs so we can pass on a Wales that we are proud of, to our future generations.”

WELSH PEATLAND DATA PORTAL

• the Peatlands of Wales Map is part of a new one-stop-shop Welsh Peatland Data Portal of information on many aspects of peatland conservation, managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
• It captures the extent and depth of Welsh peatlands, including information about how much carbon they store and an estimate of the carbon they release into the atmosphere when in a poor condition.
• The Map is available free to download and use. It will be regularly updated to show an ever-improving picture of the habitat’s recovery through conservation management.

Restoring Wales’s peatlands involves a wide range of partners, most importantly the farmers and other land managers so critical to the survival of these unique places. We hope this new grant will encourage and support people who have not yet engaged with peat and restoration.

For more information please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Farming Connect Skills Application Window APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The Welsh Farming Connect Skills Application Window is due to open again on the 6^th September and closes on the 29^th October 2021.

The scheme provides up to 80% subsidy on over 70 training courses, all run by approved training providers across Wales.

Training courses include pesticide application, chainsaw health and safety, diversification planning, hedgelaying, sheep shearing and scanning and AI training, all with accredited certification.

For further information please see the Farming Connect website or contact Kathryn Williams at Davis Meade via kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com    

 

Farm Business Grant (9th Window) APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Expressions of Interest for the Farm Business Grant (FBG)  opens today 1 September 2021 and will close at midnight on 1 October 2021 and successful applicants will have four months to purchase and claim for the items supported. It will provide farmers in Wales with a 40% contribution towards capital investments in equipment and machinery that have been pre-identified as offering clear and quantifiable benefits to farm enterprises. The minimum grant available is £3,000 and the maximum is £12,000.

If you have applied and were successful in other rounds of FBG, please note that the grant allocated to you previously will be taken into account in determining the maximum grant available of £12,000.

If you need further details or would like help with an application, please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 email: kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Welsh Government - Rural Business Investment Scheme - Non Agricultural - Window 2 - APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY OR DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS?

Welsh Government - Rural Business Investment Scheme - Non Agricultural - Window 2

The application window opened on 5^th July 2021 and closes on the 20^th August 2021.

RBIS (Non-Agri) covers capital investments costs and supports projects in Wales that contribute to one or more of the following:

a) the diversification of the rural economy,

b) the development of the supply chain for natural products,

c) increasing the productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of rural businesses.

The scheme is open to existing and start up Non-agricultural micro and small enterprises including farmers diversifying into non-agricultural activities. The scheme is open to applications from individuals wishing to start a new non-agricultural business and new/existing sole traders and/or businesses already involved in or wishing to diversify into non-agricultural activities.

The application will be assessed in two stages. The first stage will be an assessment and scoring against the published selection criteria, and if selected your application will be subject to a full appraisal. The Welsh Government’s Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 - Focus Area Six looks at facilitating diversification, creation of new small enterprises and job creation.

Support under this scheme can cover tangible assets such as land, buildings, machinery and equipment and intangible assets such as computer software, patent rights and licences and technical and consultancy fees;

The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 40% of the total eligible costs. The maximum grant threshold per undertaking for any individual investment project is £50,000, and the minimum is £5,000. Applications for the RBIS (Non-Agri) will be via Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online only.

For further information or to discuss your proposal in more detail please contact Kathryn Williams, Davis Meade Property Consultants via kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Farming Connect – Skills Application Window APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The next skills application window opens on 3^rd May 2021 and closes 25^th June 2021 (NB All windows will open at 09:00 on the Monday and close at 17:00 on the Friday)

Over 70 training courses subsidised by up to 80% are available for registered individuals, delivered by a network of approved training providers throughout Wales.

Before you apply for funded training support please note the following:

• One application per window from a registered individual will be permitted
• A maximum of two applications per window per registered business allowed
• Individuals applying for training for the first time will be prioritised

Please note from Monday, 12 April 2021, all Farming Connect accredited training courses can be delivered through the provider network. Digital and blended options are available for a number of training courses. Training courses are delivered with COVID-19 precautions in place. For more details please contact your chosen training provider directly or visit the individual course page on the Farming Connect website.

See the Skills and Training section on their website for more information:

https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/business/skills-and-training  

or get in touch with your local Development Officer –

https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/contact-us/your-local-development-officer

 

Small Grants Landscape and Pollinators APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Glastir Small Grants Landscape and Pollinators: openS 18 May 2021. Closes 25 June 2021.  This scheme aims to maintain the traditional landscape features in Wales, and provide habitat linkage for pollinating insects.

Who Can Apply

Farmers and landowners in Wales may apply for funding through this scheme.

The applicant business must be on agricultural land.

Applicants must have full management responsibility and control over the land to enable them to fulfil the obligations of the scheme.

Restrictions

The following is not eligible for Glastir Small Grants:

• Dual use of land.
• Land managers and farming businesses that have been subject to exclusion.
• Land managers and farming businesses with Grazing Licences.
• Registered common land.
• Land parcels under a contractual agreement for the following schemes: Glastir Advanced – Glastir Woodland Management – Glastir Woodland Creation – Glastir Woodland Restoration – Farm Woodland Scheme/Farm Woodland Premium Scheme – Improved Land Premium – Glastir Woodland Creation Premium – Better Woodland for Wales – Woodland Grants Scheme.
• Locations where the principal purpose of the land is for recreational activities or other non-agricultural activities, such as: caravanning/camping sites; gallops; solar panels; permanent sports facilities or recreational grounds.

Eligible Expenditure

Land Managers and Farming Businesses across Wales have an opportunity to apply for Capital Works under the new Glastir Small Grants Scheme.

Farmers and land owners are asked to submit applications for eligible capital projects, which will be chosen as part of a competitive selection process.

The main capital works projects available are:

• · hedge laying;
• · new hedge planting;
• · hedge coppicing and gapping-up;
• · trees and shrubs (transplants);
• · cross drains;
• · kerbing;
• · maintenance of gateways (hardcore);
• · sleeping policemen;
• · rainwater goods – guttering;
• · rainwater goods – downpipe;
• · in-ditch wetland;
• · soft engineering of river banks;
• · pond restoration;
• · relocation of sheep dips and holding pens;
• · relocation of sheep pens.

How To Apply

Interested parties can make an Expression of Interest for Glastir Small Grants by accessing Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online only or if you require assistance please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email: kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Glastir Woodland Restoration APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The 9th GWR EOI will open on 18 May 2021 and close at midnight on 25 June 2021

This Expression of Interest is available to successful applicants who will be able to complete all capital works and planting by 31 March 2023.

You may submit a Glastir Woodland Restoration (GWR) Expression of Interest (EOI) if you have been issued with a felling licence, a felling licence application number or a Statutory Plant Health Notice containing Larch.

You must submit your felling licence, felling licence application with number or Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) with your EOI on or before 25 June 2021 for assessment by the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government will not consider any documentation submitted in support of any EoI’s submitted under an historic GWR Window. Failure to do so will result in land parcels being rejected.

GWR provides capital works for restocking, fencing and associated operations on sites where there is larch and up to 50% non-larch species.

To be eligible for support to replant your woodlands, you must submit a forest management plan for the eligible area to be restocked.

Customers who accept a Glastir Woodland Restoration (GWR) contract, where PAWS is being estocked, will be eligible to claim a one off grant of £1,500 towards the cost of the production of a management plan. This plan should consider the entire woodland management unit, as well as and including the area being applied for restoration support through GWR. No further management plan payments will be supported in any successive rounds of Glastir Woodlands schemes.

Registered woodland planners must write a GWR plan for PAWS to be restocked under GWR, which must comply with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).

If you claim the GWR Plan grant, the PAWS restocking applied for in this round of GWR must take place. Failure to carry out the restocking will lead to recovery procedures.

Customers who wish to claim the grant are strongly advised to consider incorporating all of their woodlands, particularly all of their larch, as you may wish to apply to any subsequent rounds of GWR.

To be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest, you must be able to adhere to the dates in the following table:

 

Submit your Online Expression of Interest with supporting Felling Licence, Felling Licence application with number or SPHN between	18 May 2021 and 25 June 2021
Respond to Selection results from	August 2021
Complete all Establishment and Capital Works and submit all claims for payment by	31 March 2023

 

Forest Management Plan support will be processed for payment after 1 April 2022 following acceptance of a verified contract map.

The Glastir Woodland Restoration Expression of Interest has been developed digitally and is available through the RPW Online service. 

 If you require any assistance please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email: kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Timber Business Investment Scheme APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The above scheme opened on 1^st March 2021 and closes 9^th April 2021.

Funding is available for capital investments undertaken by private forest owners, local authorities or other public sector forest owners that add value to forests in Wales by enabling woodland management activities, timber harvesting and/or timber processing.

The Timber Business Investment Scheme (TBIS) is an important element of the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and is designed to help forest owners with investments that will enhance forestry potential or relate to the mobilising (harvesting), processing and adding value to forest products.

The grant can be used to improve and develop processing facilities or contracting facilities, e.g to erect new buildings; refurbish old premises and to buy eligible new or second hand equipment (for second hand equipment certain conditions apply).

Investments supported by the scheme must be related to improvements in value in forests, for example by enabling woodland management activities, timber harvesting and/or in-forest or small-scale timber processing.

Activities under the TBIS must address at least one of the following Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Focus Areas:

• Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors, with a focus on the following areas:
• increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and food processing;
• facilitating the supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of by products, wastes, residues and other non-food raw material for purposes of the bio-economy.
• Promoting social inclusion poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas, with a focus on the following areas:
• facilitating diversification, creation of new small enterprises and job creation;
• fostering local development in rural areas;
• enhancing accessibility to, use and quality of information and communication technologies (ICT) in rural areas.

Eligible Expenditure

Support under this scheme covers tangible and/or intangible investments that will enhance forestry potential or relate to the mobilising (harvesting), processing and adding value to forest products. Tangible investments mean capital expenditure and associated installation costs. Capital expenditure in this context includes investments that are fixed, physical or non-consumable such as buildings, machinery and equipment.

Examples of eligible activities under the scheme include:

• small to medium scale forest-based investments that will enhance forestry potential or that relate to the harvesting, processing and adding value to forest products, particularly environmentally friendly technology, including cable-cranes, skidders and other equipment suitable for small and/or inaccessible woodlands;
• investments in development and rationalisation of the marketing and processing of wood and wood products;
• investments related to the use of wood as a raw material and energy source prior to industrial processing;
• investment may include small forest nursery related developments that are specifically related to one or more forest holdings;
• investments must be related to the improvement of the economic value of specific forests.

Restrictions

There are a number of investments that are not eligible for aid, including:

• investments at the retail level – defined as the purchase of goods for re-sale or the delivery of an added-value service at the point of delivery;
• investments to replace items previously purchased with EU or Welsh Government grant assistance (within the same business);
• investments in warehousing, storage, transport and/or distribution logistics;
• products for which no realistic normal market can be demonstrated; and
• upgrades to premises and/or equipment to meet requirements arising from statutory enforcement action.

If you need further details or would like help with an application, please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 email: kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Carbon Farming Connect Funding APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

With approximately 80 short courses to choose from, could our training courses help you meet your business objectives? Can we help you identify the training which would most benefit you, eligible family members and your workers? Up to 80% funding available.  The current round of Farming Connect Training Funding ends on the 26th February 2021 at 5pm.

You will need to register with an individual email address which is unique to you as all notifications associated with Farming Connect will be sent to you via this email address.

If you wish to apply for funding support towards additional training courses, you will need to update your Personal Development Plan (PDP) and submit an application for funding support.

To register please contact the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813 or register online https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/farming-connect-registration

 

Farm Business Grant - Yard Coverings APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Farmers in wales can apply for grants of between £3,000 and £12,000 to pay for roofing and drainage that improve water quality and reduce pollution on their farms.

The Farm Business Grant (FBG) – Yard Coverings aims to improve on-farm nutrient management and infrastructure through the separation of rain/clean water from dirty water, slurry, manure or silage effluent and to keep rainwater from existing livestock feeding and gathering areas and manure and slurry stores.

The applications window for the Farm Business Grant (FBG) – Yard Coverings runs from November 9 until December 18 with Expressions of Interest (EoI) and claims to be submitted through RPW Online.

“This is a separate scheme to the main Farm Business Grant and there is no requirement to attend a ‘Farming for the Future’ event as part of the application process,” explained Kathryn Williams, a land agent with Davis Meade Property Consultants.

“The grant provides a maximum 40 per cent contribution towards standard costed capital investments in equipment pre-identified as offering clear and quantifiable benefits. The maximum grant award is £12,000 and the minimum award is £3,000.”

Elligible Items include: roofing for livestock feeding and gathering areas; roofing for slurry and manure stores; cross drains; kerbing; rainwater guttering and harvesting and filtering  goods; slurry analysis kit.

“Previous claims under the main Farm Business Grant will not count towards the £12,000 maximum grant value for the FBG – Yard Coverings and similarly Yard Coverings grants will not count towards any future windows of the main Farm Business Grant,” Kathryn said.

You can view the grant booklet  at https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2020-11/farm-business-grant-yard-covering-rules-booklet.pdf

If you need further details or would like help with an application telephone  Davis Meade Property Consultants on 01691 659658 or contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 email: kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

#farmgrant #farmfloorcoverings #farmroofing

 

Forestry Industry Recovery Scheme - APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

FIRS is now open and the closing date for applications is 18^th October 2020.

A strong and growing forestry sector in Wales will be essential for the delivery of the National woodland creations targets. While the sector has generally proved resilient to Covid-19, there is a risk the crisis has damaged the capacity of forestry contractors and businesses, including the tree nursery sector.

FIRS is domestically funded through the National Forest Programme, and will provide funding to the sector to make capital investments to increase their capacity and enable the sector to contribute to a green recovery.

The scheme will support investment to increase capacity in the forestry sector. Eligible areas include equipment to tree nurseries to increase their capacity to supply trees, ground preparation equipment, equipment for tree safety works for trees affected by Ash Dieback, and equipment or appropriate technology that improves harvesting of timber which is shown to improve sustainable forest management.

Proposed investments must show that a viable market has been identified for their product(s) and that the project would not proceed without the grant. The scheme is discretionary and the amount of grant offered would relate to individual circumstances and would always be the minimum amount necessary to allow the investment to go ahead.

This is only an outline to the scheme and the way it is operated, the detailed rules for eligibility criteria may be subject to change.

Further details are available on the Welsh Government website.

For further information please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email kathrynwillianms@dmpcuk.com

 

Glastir Small Grants – APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Opening date: 11^th January 2021

Closing date: 19^th February 2021

Glastir Small Grants is a programme of capital works available to farming businesses across Wales to carry out projects that will help to lock up carbon. Capital Works items will be identified as ‘Main’ and ‘Supportive’ Work(s) which, together, form a ‘Project’.

The Carbon Theme offers Capital Works that have been chosen for their broad and general environmental benefits and their ability to deliver the Welsh Government’s ambitions on increasing carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is the long-term storage of carbon dioxide and has been proposed as a way to slow the atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases.

Main works include:

Tree planting:

Trees Standards (No Fencing),  

Trees and Shrubs (Transplants),  

Trees and Shrubs – Whips,

Sabre Planting,

New Hedge Planting,

Hedge Coppicing and Gapping-Up,

Hedge Laying,

Fruit Trees plus Guard and Stake

Supportive works include:

Ladder Stile

Timber Bridle Gate and Posts

Timber Kissing Gates and Posts

Wooden Stiles

Badger Gate

Piped Water Supply

Water Gate

Water Troughs

Post and Rail Fencing

Post and Wire Fencing

Post and Wire Fencing with Stock Netting

Rabbit Fencing

Timber Field Gates (Hardwood)

Timber Field Gates (Softwood)

Parkland Tree Stock Guards

Tree Shelter (60cm with stake)

Spiral Rabbit Guards

Bramble/Scrub Control (Hand Knapsack Sprayer)

Bracken Control (Hand Knapsack Sprayer)

Bracken Control (Mechanical Clearance)

Bracken Control (Tractor Mounted Sprayer)

Applicants will need to submit an Expression of Interest. The EOI is scored and all successful applications will then be offered a contract.

For assistance or further guidance please contact Kathryn Williams kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Small Grants – Water - APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Glastir Small Grants is a Capital Works grant scheme available to land managers and farming businesses across Wales. An existing Glastir contract is not necessary to be eligible.  Capital Works available are chosen for their broad and general environmental benefits and their ability to deliver to the Welsh Government’s ambitions for climate change and water management.

Glastir Small Grants is a standalone scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per theme for Capital Works Projects. Set lists of Capital Works are available per theme to support the delivery of beneficial environmental outcomes.

Scheme aims:

• Reducing Carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Adapting to climate change and building greater resilience into farm and forest    businesses.

• Managing our water resources to improve water quality and reduce flood risks.

• Protecting the landscape and the historic environment while improving access.

• Contributing towards a reversal in the decline of Wales’ native biodiversity.

The window closes 4^th September 2020

For further information please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

  

Dairy Support Scheme - Wales - APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The Dairy Support Scheme is now open and will close on 14^th  August 2020

The Dairy Support Scheme has been introduced to support those dairy producers hardest hit by the recent exceptional market conditions due to Covid-19. The scheme was announced by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs on 9 May 2020.

The Dairy Support Scheme is to assist the hardest hit dairy producers following severe impacts in some parts of the sector. The support is designed to assist producers with meeting their fixed costs in order to sustain productive capacity for milk and maintain their environmental and animal health and welfare standards.

Eligible dairy producers will be entitled to a one off payment of up to £10,000, to cover 70% of their lost income to help them to continue to meet fixed costs and sustain production capacity without impacts on animal welfare and the environment.

Who is eligible?

• The scheme will be open to cattle, sheep, goat and buffalo dairy producers who are able to evidence a milk price reduction of 25% or over from sales of milk under contract to a third party/processor.
• This scheme is for producers in Wales only. However, if you are a cross-border farmer with land in more than one part of the UK you may apply if the majority of your land is located in Wales and you received your Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2019 payment from Rural Payments Wales (RPW).
• Dairy producers will need to demonstrate they have suffered a reduction of 25% or more in the average price paid for their milk in April and subsequently May, when compared to February 2020.
• Payments will not be made for May losses alone.
• To be eligible for May, dairy producers must have first suffered a loss of 25% or more to their average milk price in April.
• Direct sellers of milk are not eligible for the Dairy Support Scheme, please do not apply if you fall into this category. 3
• Applicants must not have been in financial difficulty 1 on 31 December 2019.

When will the grant payment be paid?

Completed applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted no later than 14 August 2020.

Processing of your application will not be made until all supporting documents have been submitted.

The on-line application must be submitted to Rural Payments Wales by this date.  You will not be able to submit the form after this date, even if you started filling in the form on or before 14 August 2020.

As part of this application process you will be required to declare any aid you have received under the COVID-19 Temporary Framework to evidence that you will not exceed the maximum level of aid allowed and that you were not an undertaking in difficulty on 31 December 2019.

For more information or to apply for the grant please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Glastir Woodland Creation Window 9 - APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The ninth round of Glastir Woodland Creation and the eighth round opens today, 16 March, with a fourfold increase in budget for Glastir Woodland Creation of £8m.

There have been a number of changes to the application process for Glastir Woodland Creation, where expressions of interest must be submitted by a Registered Glastir Woodlands Planner.

Expressions of interest selected to progress in the application process will be offered a contract on the condition payment will only be made once a woodland creation plan verified by Natural Resources Wales is approved by the Welsh Government. Successful applicants will also be required to select one of two claim years – 2021/2022 or 2022/2023.

The Glastir Woodland Creation expression of interest has been extended to 31^st July 2020 and closes at midnight.

For further information please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email kathrynwillianms@dmpcuk.com

 

Capital Grants for Tourism in Wales APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Farmers and businesses in Wales looking to develop a tourism enterprise can receive funding from the Welsh Government’s Micro and Small Business Fund (MSBF) which has reopened for applications.

The MSBF is an investment fund targeting eligible capital investment projects in the tourism sector in Wales. It can be used either to upgrade existing or create new high quality product.

The fund is available for micro to small size businesses with fewer than 50 employees and offers  support of between £25,000 and £500,000 for projects that create and safeguard jobs, realise economic benefit and growth and deliver quality, innovation and a sense of place.

The fund priorities include:

• high quality, innovative, reputation changing tourism products
• luxury hotels (existing expansions, upgrades and new hotels)
• all weather, all year, attractions
• flagship attractions
• innovative activity experiences
• distinctively Welsh visitor focussed food experiences
• top end and innovative glamping and camping experiences
• spa and high quality leisure facilities
• innovative cultural or heritage related projects
• distinctive and high quality inns, B&B’s, guest accommodation products
• unusual places to stay

“There is a two-stage application process starting with an Expression of Interest and if this is successful you will be invited to make a full application,” said Kathryn Williams, director of Davis Meade Property Consultants, Oswestry.

For further information visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/tourism/finance#guides-tabs--2 or contact Kathryn Willams at Davis Meade Property Consultants on  01691 659658 / 07971 583638, email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

The Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS)  APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The application window opens on November 1 for farmers and land managers in Severn Trent Water (STW) region to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to match-fund infrastructure investment and land management items.

The Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) is funded by STW and delivered in partnership with local Wildlife Trusts, River Trusts the Woodland Trust, The Wye and Usk Foundation and South Staffordshire Water. Farmers can apply to fund environmental projects on farm, from the pre-defined list of funding options.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis with applicants demonstrating a clear water quality benefit to the issues of concern in that area being most likely to be successful.

Kathryn Williams, land agents with Davis Meade Property Consultants at Oswestry, said that to qualify for the scheme farmers must:

• farm or have land within a Severn Trent priority catchment
• farm (either owned or leased) a minimum of three hectares of land

The funds can help with projects ranging from cover crops, to fencing, to pesticide wash-down areas, and biobeds/biofilter and this year the scheme includes new options focusing on biodiversity such as hedgerow and woodland planting, pond management plan and wildflower meadow creation.

Items that aren’t listed in the STEPS booklet can be considered if they are innovative and support the wider goals of the programme. Some items can be funded for two years (£10,000).

“We are advising farmers to check with us or their local STW agricultural advisor to see if they are within a target area and eligible to claim,” she said.

“STEPS runs until 2020 and the current application period is open from November 1, 2019 until January 31, 2020 with grants awarded to successful applicants in March 2020. Work must be completed by 1 March 2020.”

For more information visit www.stwater.co.uk/steps or contact Kathryn Williams at Davis Meade Property Consultants, Oswestry on 01691 659658 / 07971 583638 or email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Welsh Sustainable Management Scheme APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The Sustainable Management scheme will provide financial support for a range of activities that will improve the management of our natural resources and in doing so contribute to the well-being of our rural communities.

The scheme offers grants to collaborative groups looking to:

• improve our natural resources and the benefits they provide
• take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• improve business and community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Grants can range from a minimum of £10,000 to help start up and facilitate new collaborations through to landscape-scale ambition co-ordinating actions and input from several parties to achieve lasting benefits across our communities. Each window has a maximum of £5m for investment.

 The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 100% of the total cost.

 The scheme is open to a wide range of collaborations made up of a variety of individual and organisations including:

• small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large businesses, education or research establishments
• farmers, foresters, other land managers
• community or voluntary groups (inclusive of all non government organisations) associations of owners, community woodlands, and  trusts
• local authorities.

The scheme is open now until 8^th August 2019.

For further details on the application criteria please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Welsh Food Business Investment Scheme APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The expression of interest window for round 7 of the Food Business Investment scheme is now open.

The FBIS covers capital investments in processing equipment along with some associated costs and supports projects that offer clear and quantifiable benefits to primary producers, either directly or indirectly, in the agriculture sectors providing the raw materials.  Micro, Small or Medium Enterprises (SME’s) are a particular priority for support.

The scheme offers grants to collaborative groups looking to:

• erect new buildings
• refurbish old premises
• buy eligible new or second hand equipment (certain conditions apply)

Examples of the types of projects and activities that might be supported are:

• a group of potato producers may want to upgrade their processing facilities and rationalise and amalgamate their storage and grading facilities into a larger, more economical unit with better environmental control
• a vegetable processing company might want to improve its facilities to meet customer requirements and improve its handling of waste water
• a livestock market may wish to improve its lairage facilities and other handling/holding facilities to raise the standards of animal welfare, make improvements to sale rings to speed up sales, or to improve its effluent handling
• an abattoir might wish to expand its primal cutting operation to accommodate the needs of its customers, to build new chilling or other carcass processing facilities, to introduce new processing lines for specific purposes, for example, slaughter for export, or to improve its effluent handling
• a meat /poultry processing company may want to make quality improvements to its products or expand into another area or move into more refined/specifically targeted packaging and improve its effluent treatment systems
• a small dairy business may wish to expand its cheese-making operation to take advantage of the growing market for speciality cheeses
• a cheese manufacturer may want to move into higher quality products such as mature cheeses or move into new areas such as blue cheese or improve its storage facilities and improve its waste and effluent handling.

The minimum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £2,400

The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £5,000,000.

Where both the input and the output are agricultural products the maximum grant rates are as follows:

• SMEs - up to 40% of the total investment cost regardless of location.
• large Enterprises – up to 20% of the total investment cost regardless of location.

If other EU or UK public funds are obtained to support the costs of a project they will be discounted against the Food Business Investment grant. 

The scheme is open to applications from a wide range of businesses involved in primary and/or secondary processing of agricultural products, such as:

• sole traders
• voluntary sector organisations
• private and public limited companies (SME and Large Enterprises)
• farm businesses that want to process their own agricultural products
• new businesses, including start-up businesses.

The scheme is open now until 2^nd July 2019.

For further details on the application criteria please contact Kathryn Williams on 07971 583638 or email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

Welsh Sustainable Production Grant APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

The second expression of interest window for the Sustainable Production Grant (SPG) will open on 4th March and close on 12th April 2019. Eligibility for the Welsh Government’s SPG requires a partner in the business to attend a Sustainable Farming event organised by Farming Connect (FC). The individual attending must be registered as a business partner with Farming Connect and Rural Payments Wales.

 

 

 

Welsh Start Up Grant APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Farmers in Wales under the age of 40 are being given a second chance to take advantage of the Welsh Government’s £6 million funding package available to help them develop their businesses. The grant will provide £40,000 to 150 farmers (including those who were successful in the first round) as part of a Young People into Agriculture Scheme. 

“We thought that there would only be one opportunity to apply but those that missed out on applying in the first round in June or those people who did not submit sufficient supporting evidence are now being given another chance to apply,” explained Kathryn Williams of Davis Meade Property Consultants. 

“We don’t yet know all the details but we believe the rules will be the same as those for the first round. The second round will open on August 1 and close on August 29. We are therefore urging those who were rejected in the first round to re-assess their application if appropriate or for those applying for the first time to carefully read all of the scheme eligibility rules as there are a number of pieces of supporting evidence that must be submitted.” 

The funding can be used as working capital, to purchase land or erect buildings, buy machinery or stock etc. and will be paid to successful applicants in three instalments. We presume these instalment dates will not be the same as those for the successful first round applicants but will follow a similar format. 

Applicants must be able to show that they have the skills to be self-motivated to drive their businesses forward and also have a keen interest in the wider agricultural industry. As a part of the funding agreement applicants will also have to meet key performance indicators that will be agreed as part of their contract. 

“Expressions of interest can be made from August 1 to August 29. Points will be awarded according to the type of business, business structure, academic qualifications, level of continuing professional development and the strength of the business plan. Applications will then be ranked according to how they meet the selection criteria until the maximum number (150) is reached,” Kathryn explained. 

“In the first round only people who were setting up as head of a holding for the first time by September 1, 2018, or who started as head of a holding for the first time in the 12 months prior to the 1 April were eligible.” 

For more information on the funding please contact Kathryn Williams at the Oswestry office of Davis Meade Property Consultants on 01691 659658 or email kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com

 

 

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