About this service
What is the Countryside Stewardship Scheme?
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is a grant scheme administered by the Rural Payments Agency on behalf of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, commonly known as DEFRA.
For Norfolk Farmers and landowners, this scheme provides annual revenue payments for the provision and management of farmland habitats.
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme allows farms to receive financial rewards for their conservation efforts.
Alongside the payments you will receive by maintaining and enhancing habitats, you get the gratification of knowing you are supporting vital farmland species on your land.
Rewarding
With Countryside Stewardship, there are several ways to receive payments by taking appropriate measures, including…
Hedgerow management
Creating flower-rich grasslands
Winter cover crops
Producing winter bird food
Woodland Management
Organic conversion
Management of historic features
Introducing agroforestry
Heathland management
Flood mitigation measures
Wetland habitat management
Membership
Become a member!
There are two Countryside Stewardship Scheme options currently available, and these are Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier.
Mid Tier is more accessible, allowing all farmers and land managers to get involved.
The Higher Tier is designed for more complex or environmentally significant sites, coming with a wide range of available options and capital works, but this tier requires a more involved collaboration with governmental bodies.
For both tiers, there is a suite of Countryside Stewardship Capital grants available to support the management of habitats, e.g. sheep fencing grants.
For more information about how the Countryside Stewardship Scheme can help you, please enquire via our online form.
Interested?: get in touch!
Contact Us
Who do I need to speak to?
Nathan has been involved with Countryside Stewardship scheme for many years and understands the steps to take in achieving a successful application.
He will be able to help develop a scheme suitable for your farm business, using relevant management options for the habitats and features of the land. He will also enable negotiations with Natural England or Forestry Commission, to ensure sign off for the scheme is successful.
Testimonials
What people say about Norfolk FWAG
Case studies
What we've been up to
Using Green Hay from Norfolk’s Roadside Nature Reserves to restore Wildflower Meadows
In the 1990s, Norfolk established Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) to protect and enhance diverse plant communities along our waysides. These RNRs hold some of the last remnants of Norfolk’s natural grasslands, that would have been widespread prior to agricultural intensification from the 1940’s onwards. They have preserved unique assemblages of
FiPL Deer Management on the Broads
What is our involvement in the Deer Management Sector? In May 2024 a deer management workshop was held by the Broads Authority, Norfolk FWAG and the Forestry Commission to discuss the growing deer population in the Norfolk Broads. This meeting highlighted the necessity for a more effective and coordinated approach
Rare Arable Flora Work
In 2011, Norfolk FWAG conducted research to identify areas where our rarer arable plants still occur in Norfolk. The report provided an understanding to assist in targeting environmental stewardship options and other initiatives that will benefit them. The arable flora is now one of the most threatened group of plants
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How to apply for the Countryside Stewardship Scheme?
If you’re wondering how to apply for the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, this is where our farming advisory service plays a significant role. The process of applying for this scheme is a sizeable commitment that may require multiple days to complete. This depends on the size of the land and the complexity of the Countryside Stewardship options selected.
A typical step-by-step process to Countryside Stewardship involves:
- On-farm discussions with you and your team regarding CS and how best to proceed.
- Surveys and mapping of your land to provide the most up-to-date information as part of your application.
- You and your Norfolk FWAG adviser liaising with the other necessary parties, such as governmental bodies.
- And finally, completing the online application.
How does the Countryside Stewardship Scheme help me?
Our expert advisers work closely with Norfolk farmers and landowners who are interested in building a Countryside Stewardship Scheme; members of Norfolk FWAG will be able to take advantage of our preferential rates when employing our services for multiple days at a time, which may be required.
Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group will not only help by ensuring the management options selected are appropriate for the relevant species and habitats on your land, but also if these options are realistic for you to achieve. Through our understanding of the fine balance between food production and on-farm conservation – coupled with our rich years of experience with farm environmental schemes – we can provide you with the best service possible and a successful Countryside Stewardship application.
A typical step-by-step process to Countryside Stewardship involves:
- On-farm discussions with you and your team regarding CS and how best to proceed.
- Surveys and mapping of your land to provide the most up-to-date information as part of your application.
- You and your Norfolk FWAG adviser liaising with the other necessary parties, such as governmental bodies.
- And finally, completing the online application.