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 in-field farm 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 in-field habitats, you are also benefiting from publicly showing your contribution to the betterment of local wildlife and the environment. 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
There are two Countryside Stewardship Scheme options currently available, and these are Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier. Of the two levels, the Mid Tier is more accessible, allowing all farmers and land managers to get involved. The Higher Tier, however, 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 grants available to support the management of habitats, such as grants for sheep fencing.
How to apply for the Country 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 advisor liaising with the other necessary parties, such as governmental bodies.
- And finally, completing the online application.
How does the Country Stewardship Scheme help me?
Our expert advisors 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 advisor liaising with the other necessary parties, such as governmental bodies.
- And finally, completing the online application.
Our expert advisors 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.
