Future Farming Resilience - Free Workshops

Between 2021 and 2027, the government will gradually reduce and then stop Direct Payments. Instead, farmers and landowners will be supported for actions improving the environment, improving animal health and welfare, and reducing carbon emissions.

The move away from Direct Payments is big change for many farmers. Taking time to plan and adjust now could help you to future proof your business.

The Future Farming Resilience Fund has been funded by Defra to allow us to support farmers and land managers with this transition. This free transition advice is available from October 2022 to any farmer or land manager currently in receipt of BPS payments.

Farm Grants Update and Navigating the Agricultural Transition Workshops will cover:

Timelines and reductions in the Basic Payment Scheme
Options to improve productivity and increase profits as the BPS payments reduce
Outline of the Environmental Land Management Schemes and the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Incentive
Business diversification strategies
New capital grant schemes that are being proposed

Additionally to the workshops, free one to one support is available. One to one support can include:

Looking at your current position and how the changes may affect your business
Calculating your BPS reductions
Discussing what grants are appropriate to you
Helping you to develop an action plan for the future

Your one to one can be carried out in-person or remotely. Contact [email protected] for further details. You will need to provide your contact details, SBI and farm size upon booking.

Upcoming workshops:

Online

Date & time	Location	Booking link
Thursday 8th August 2024 10.00-12.00	Online information workshop Covering the expanded SFI offer	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Thu 8 Aug 2024 at 10:00 \| Eventbrite
Wednesday 4th September 2024 18.00 - 20.00	Online information workshop Update information session	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 18:00 \| Eventbrite
Wednesday 2nd October 2024 18.00 - 20.00	Online information workshop Update information session	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Wed 2 Oct 2024 at 18:00 \| Eventbrite
Tuesday 29th October 2024 18.30 - 20.30	Online information workshop Covering the expanded SFI offer	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 18:30 \| Eventbrite

Cornwall

Date & time	Location	Booking link
Thursday 16th May 2024 10.00 - 13.30	Camborne Community Centre, 9 South Terrace, Camborne TR14 8SU	https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-latest-farm-grants-update-tickets-853634482717

Dorset

Date & time	Location	Booking link
Wednesday 4th September 2024 18.00 - 20.00	Online information workshop Update information session	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Wed 4 Sep 2024 at 18:00 \| Eventbrite
Wednesday 18th September 2024 18.30-21.30	The Ropemakers, 36 West Street, Bridport, Dorset. DT6 3QP	The Latest Farm Grants Update Tickets, Wed 18 Sep 2024 at 18:30 \| Eventbrite
Wednesday 2nd October 2024 18.00 - 20.00	Online information workshop Update information session	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Wed 2 Oct 2024 at 18:00 \| Eventbrite

Somerset

Date & time	Location	Booking link
Thursday 8th August 2024 10.00-12.00	Online information workshop Covering the expanded SFI offer	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Thu 8 Aug 2024 at 10:00 \| Eventbrite
Tuesday 29th October 2024 18.30 - 20.30	Online information workshop Covering the expanded SFI offer	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 18:30 \| Eventbrite
Thursday 14th November 2024 18.30-20.30	West Buckland Village Hall, 1 Silver Street, West Buckland. TA21 9NA	Farm Business Funding: Update on Latest Grants, Schemes and SFI Tickets, Thu 14 Nov 2024 at 18:30 \| Eventbrite

Our partner organisations are running additional and specialist workshops (i.e. digital skills, diversification, soils, succession planning) which are available in all counties. To view a full list of the workshops on offer, click here...

Latest

2024 Barn Owl Award - the judges journey and results

In June, our two Barn Owl Award judges Ruth Kimber and Gary Rumbold set off on a two day tour of the South West to judge this years entrants for the FWAG Southwest's regional award for farming and conservation. Click here to read about the judging tour and for the announcement of our winners for 2024...
We currently do not have any open positions at FWAG SW

Please check back here another time or email [email protected] if you have any questions.
[11.04.24] Wessex Water: River Tone, Parrett and Yeo Phosphorus Reduction Scheme

FWAG SW are working with Wessex Water and farmers in sub-catchments of the Rivers Tone, Parrett and Yeo to reduce phosphorus (P) runoff from farmyards, tracks and fields by three tonnes per year by 2025. Click here to read more...
Wessex Water: Tone, Parrett and Yeo Phosphorus Reduction Scheme

FWAG SW advisers are working with Wessex Water and farmers in sub-catchments of the Rivers Tone, Parrett and Yeo to reduce P runoff from farmyards, tracks and fields by three tonnes per year by 2025.

Great Crested Newt Pond Scheme

Are you looking to create or restore a pond on your farm? This could be the opportunity for you. As part of Natural England’s District Level Licensing, up to 100% funding is available to create or restore existing ponds with Great Crested Newts at the forefront of the pond design. Click here to register your interest...
Great Crested Newt Pond Scheme

Are you looking to create or restore a pond on your farm? This could be the opportunity for you. As part of Natural England’s District Level Licensing, up to 100% funding is available to create or restore existing ponds with Great crested newts at the forefront of the pond design. Click here to register your interest...
[17.07.19] National Parks Big Picnic

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the National Parks act. Exmoor hosted a big picnic to celebrate, you can read about it by clicking here.
Hills to Levels

Hills to Levels is a holistic catchment management approach, which began across catchments in Somerset, aiming to ‘slow the flow’ to reduce flood risk, reduce erosion, improve water quality, deliver wider environmental benefits and increase resilience on the floodplain.
Wessex Diffuse Water Pollution Programme

Since 2012 FWAG SW has been working with partners, including the Environment Agency, Catchment Sensitive Farming and Wessex Water, to provide advice to farmers in the Wessex Region; more specifically Poole Harbour, Stour and Hampshire Avon catchments, on management they can undertake to increase nitrogen use efficiency.
A Community Guide to Your Water Environment

Water is something we tend to take for granted. This Guide, which has been produced with support from Defra and the Catchment Based Approach, aims to help you understand the importance of the water in your local environment.
Championing for the Farmed Environment

FWAG SouthWest delivers the Championing for the Farmed Environment (CFE) across the South West. The Campaign encourages farmers and land managers to protect and enhance the environmental value of farmland, through environmental measures that sit alongside productive agriculture.
Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme

The first FWAG Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme began in 2004 and has taken place annually ever since. The aim of the scheme is to provide farmers with a responsible, environmentally sound way to recycle plastic, preventing it from going to landfill. The scheme is simple and straight forward, with no membership fees so the farmers only pay for the plastic they bring.

Become a member / Renew your membership

JOIN US! Become a friend or a member and you'll be helping to create a better farmed environment for everyone across the South West.
Mission and vision

FWAG SouthWest seeks to support, enthuse and inspire fellow farmers to value the environmental assets on their land and use them to secure sustainable and profitable businesses for the future.
Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme

The first FWAG Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme began in 2004 and has taken place annually ever since. The aim of the scheme is to provide farmers with a responsible, environmentally sound way to recycle plastic, preventing it from going to landfill. The scheme is simple and straight forward, with no membership fees so the farmers only pay for the plastic they bring.
Environmental Land Management Schemes

FWAG SW has a wealth of experience in the range of grants on offer and their suitability for your farm business. We can prepare and submit an application on your behalf and help with your evidence and record keeping requirements.
Kingfisher Project

The Kingfisher Award Scheme (KAS) provides children with the opportunity to go onto farms to explore the natural world.
Hills to Levels

Hills to Levels is a holistic catchment management approach, which began across catchments in Somerset, aiming to ‘slow the flow’ to reduce flood risk, reduce erosion, improve water quality, deliver wider environmental benefits and increase resilience on the floodplain.
Jenny Phelps

Senior Farm Environment Adviser & Glos Team Leader
Chief Executive Officer
Great Crested Newt Pond Scheme

Are you looking to create or restore a pond on your farm? This could be the opportunity for you. As part of Natural England’s District Level Licensing, up to 100% funding is available to create or restore existing ponds with Great Crested Newts at the forefront of the pond design. Click here to register your interest...
Somerset Catchment Partnership

Somerset Catchment Partnership is bringing together a range of organisations who work within the water environments of Somerset since 2013.