Species Focus

What the LEAF Marque Standard Means for Farmers in 2026

LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is a UK‑based organisation that promotes sustainable farming through its Integrated Farm Management (IFM) principles. The LEAF Marque Standard is an environmental assurance system that recognises landowners who are committed to responsible soil management, biodiversity protection, efficient water and energy use, and overall sustainable production. When consumers see the LEAF Marque label,

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

The First Five Years of District Level Licensing

Author: Abigail Dent Natural England’s District Level Licensing (DLL) scheme has now been running for five years, delivering a strategic approach to creating and restoring high-quality pond habitats where they can have the greatest ecological impact. The scheme funds compensatory habitat for Great Crested Newts, offsetting the loss of ponds

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

The Capital Grants Offer for 2026 – What You Need to Know

DEFRA have published a blog outlining their expectations for the Capital Grants 2026 round. This will look very similar to the 2025 round, with a similar range of items which are grouped into categories, and there will still be limits applied to each group of items. As last year, there

Deer Management

Norfolk FWAG’s Response to DEFRA’s 10 Year Deer Strategy

The Norfolk Deer Strategy Project Manager, Michael Anker, has been involved in deer management for over 30 years. Both as a deer manager, as well as co-ordinating deer managers on his farm. A member, and collaborator, with many of the deer management groups, Michael is well placed to comment on

Deer Management

Norfolk Deer Strategy Update: Creating a Successful Movement Across the County

Since August 2025, Michael has been hard at work having meaningful conversations with stakeholders across the county; co-ordinating a considered approach to collaborative deer management, which mitigates pressures on habitat and crop loss, whilst ensuring highly nutritious and ethically sourced meat can reach our local communities. Below, Michael shares his

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

SFI 2026 Summary – Changes, Additions, and Removals

Information Correct as of 25th February DEFRA have finally provided a long awaited update on the next phase of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. The secretary of state for DEFRA stood up at the NFU conference on 24th February 2026 and presented some of the details, which was then followed up by a

Woodland

NFWAG Process Norfolk’s First CS Higher Tier for Woodland (2026)

Farm Environment Advisor, Marta Gibbons, has successfully processed Norfolk’s first CS Higher Tier for woodland. This 10 year agreement includes payments for managing, restoring and improving woodland habitats. An up to date Woodland Management Plan (WMP) as well as Deer Management Plan (DMP) must be in place in order to

Awards

Norfolk FWAG Farm Conservation Awards Open for 2026 Entries

We are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Ian MacNicol Farm Conservation Award, which recognises outstanding commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship on Norfolk farms. The award celebrates farmers and land managers who are making a positive difference for wildlife, landscapes and natural resources, while continuing

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Higher Tier for Woodlands – What we know so far

Disclaimer: Information Accurate as of 28.01.26 Due to various factors, the RPA are behind with the number of Higher Tier schemes currently being approved and live in the system. For now, landowners can only apply if they were invited to do so and completed a pre-application form, choosing actions aligned

Woodland

Planting Trees Today: Securing Your Farm’s Legacy for Tomorrow

We all know the benefits of trees and hedgerows, carbon sequestration, water filtration, flood mitigation, and habitats for countless birds, mammals, and invertebrates. You’ve heard it all before. But let’s talk about what trees mean for you as a farmer in today’s unpredictable world. Farming has never been straightforward. With

Farming Incentives

Natural England Publishes New Strategy: What It Means for Norfolk & Suffolk’s Nature, Farming and Rural Communities

Natural England has released its major new strategy (November 2025) and it sets out a bold, future-facing vision for how the UK must protect, restore and work with nature. At its heart is a simple but powerful message: nature isn’t an optional extra, it’s essential national infrastructure. Healthy soils, thriving

Awards

Ian MacNicol Farm Conservation Award 2025

Every year Norfolk FWAG looks to promote a farm which has embraced conservation actions, whilst maintaining a commercial farming business. We are always pleased to see the amazing work being done to protect our precious environment, even with the constraints of a busy farming year. 2025 was no exception, and at

Awards

Richard Waddingham Award 2025 – Celebrating Pond Conservation in Norfolk

Richard Waddingham Award celebrates Norfolk’s farming ponds and wildlife The late Richard Waddingham of Manor Farm, Briston understood the importance of water in the landscape and recognised that, when managed properly, ponds can support a rich variety of native wildlife, even in areas of intensive agriculture. He was an inspiration

Awards

10 Things to look out for at the Norfolk Landscapes Conference & Exhibition:

As the organiser of the NLCE, it has been my mission to curate a programme which is engaging and thought provoking, but ultimately I have tried to develop a programme which allows each attendee to take something away with them to implement in their business; whether that being a farming

Species Focus

Invasive Species to Look Out for in Norfolk

Protecting Norfolk’s waterways, wetlands, and countryside means staying vigilant about invasive species. These plants can quickly spread, disrupt local habitats, and outcompete our native flora. Below, we’ve highlighted several invasive species recently spotted in the Yare Valley and River Wensum, along with a few native species that can sometimes be

Species Focus

Dung Beetles in the UK: Species, Importance, and Conservation

Overview of Dung Beetle Species in the UK In the UK there are 60 species of dung beetle, approximately 50% of which are nationally scarce or listed as threatened. These insects provide important ecosystem services in grazing systems, including the recycling of dung from the surface into the soil, and

Work Placement

Norfolk FWAG Placement Student Tom Ewin Wins Prestigious Environmental Award

We’re delighted to celebrate the success of Tom Ewin, who has just completed his placement year with Norfolk FWAG as part of his BSc (Hons) Environmental Land Management degree at Harper Adams University. Tom has been named the Bishop of Norwich Sustainable Environment Young Employee of the Year 2025, receiving

Exhibition

Norfolk FWAG at the Royal Norfolk Show 2025

Supporting Farmers and Inspiring the Next Generation The Royal Norfolk Show is the UK’s largest two-day agricultural event, attracting thousands of visitors to celebrate Norfolk’s rural heritage, farming, food, and environmental work. This year, Norfolk FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group) was proud to take part once again, connecting with

Exhibition

NFWAG Placement Week One: Honest Reflections from the Groundswell Festival

By Holly Beatty As the new NFWAG placement student, I started my first week attending Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture festival, at Lannock farm in Hertfordshire. The event hosts over 10,000 attendees; farmers, growers and anyone interested in the agri-food and environment sector. The 2 day ‘festival’ is to learn the theory

Deer Management

Why is Deer Management Necessary?

Deer management is essential to maintain ecological balance, an overpopulation causes a negative impact on flora and fauna biodiversity through overgrazing. This habitat degradation negatively impacts vulnerable birds such as the nightingale, nightjar and woodcock. It is also necessary for mitigating agricultural damage, which can cause significant economic losses for

Awards

Ian MacNicol Farm Conservation Award 2024

The Norfolk FWAG annual Farm Conservation Competition ran in 2024 with four entrants. The award is presented to the farm who can demonstrate willingness to implement conservation measure on their farms, alongside their usual commercial business. The judges are also looking for farms who are inclined to look at diversification,

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

CS Mid Tier 2025 Expiries

The past few months have certainly been turbulent for farmers with an array of policy changes to get to grips with. Some of you have unfortunately missed out on Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) funding following the sudden closure of the scheme a few weeks back. More details on the mechanics

Local Project

FETF Grants Returning This Spring – Time to Plan Ahead

Good news for farmers across Norfolk: the government has announced that Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) grants will be back this spring. The FETF is a great opportunity to invest in new kit to improve productivity, manage slurry better, or boost animal health and welfare. On 25 February, Environment

Local Project

Norfolk Nature Recovery Strategy is Live for Public Consultation

Over the past few months, the Norfolk FWAG team have worked closely with Norfolk County Council (NCC), contributing to the creation of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Norfolk and Suffolk. This has involved direct consultation, introductions to farmers, and sharing communications. Please see an update below from the

Farming

Species Focus: Butterflies and Moths

Butterflies and moths are indicators of a healthy ecosystem; diverse and abundant populations are typically associated with habitats rich in floral diversity, which are also host to a plethora of other invertebrates. Healthy populations of invertebrates are vital for pollination of crops and natural pest management. Moths and butterflies are

Farming Incentives

Unexpected Close to New SFI Agreements. What Now?

It goes without saying the closure of the Sustainable Funding Incentive (SFI) scheme to new applicants came as a shock. For more information about the current state of play, please read our special e-bulletin sent on the 12th March. So, what now? Yes, the closure of SFI is a significant blow,

Work Placement

NFWAG Placement – Bea White

In July, I finished a year-long placement with Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (NFWAG) as a part of my Environmental Land Management course at Harper Adams University. Part of the reason I decided to study at Harper Adams is because they ensure that every student has the opportunity to

Farming Incentives

Norfolk FWAG: Practical Environmental and Conservation Advice for Farmers

Farming is currently undergoing the biggest transformation of recent years. The Norfolk FWAG advisory team are on hand to support farms to improve environmental and financial resilience. One of the largest challenges facing farming is the loss of BPS. A more complex framework of government support for farming means that

Local Project

Green Hay Project

Restoring Norfolk’s Grasslands: Norfolk FWAG and Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Green Hay Project Norfolk’s natural landscapes have long been valued for their biodiversity, but contemporary farming practices and habitat degradation have put many of these ecosystems at risk. To fight this, novel ways are being used to maintain and improve local

Exhibition

Norfolk Landscapes Conference & Exhibition – 2024 Round-Up

A First for Norfolk In October 2024, Norfolk FWAG held the first Norfolk Landscapes Conference and Exhibition as we welcomed over 400 delegates from across the agriculture and environmental sectors to better understand how we can make farming and nature work together. With fantastic support from partners including Norfolk County

Woodland

Agroforestry Advantages for Farms and Nature

Should Norfolk farmers and landowners consider agroforestry? Yes, and there are ample reasons why. Within this article, we will explore what agroforestry is and the varying agroforestry advantages that are achieved through this sustainable farming practice. Considering Norfolk FWAG’s mission of supporting farmers and landowners as they take the steps to futureproof

Farm Walks

Norfolk FWAG’s Bea White Wins Prize Presented By Duke of Edinburgh

The 2024 Royal Norfolk Show is officially in the books. However, we’re still celebrating as Bea White, Norfolk FWAG Farm Environment Assistant, has won the Bishop of Norwich’s Sustainable Environment Young Employee of the Year award. Presented by the Duke of Edinburgh at this year’s Royal Norfolk show, there is

Woodland

Get FREE Support For Your Woodland Creation

Planting trees on your land is a valuable way to provide enhancement to the local environment, and build resilience for years to come. Trees have multiple benefits; including providing homes for wildlife, creating mosaic habitats for plants and animals, catching and storing carbon, and acting to help flood resilience. In

Farm Walks

Beeston Hall Farm Walk Recap 5/5/24

On Wednesday 5th June, Norfolk FWAG were fortunate enough to host their latest summer farm walk at Hildebrand Farm in Beeston St. Lawrence. We were joined by over 40 passionate farmers and wildlife lovers as we heard from various interesting speakers about how this farm had embraced and implemented conservation measures and

News