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The Countryside Stewardship Scheme provides funding for farmers and land managers in England to make environmental improvements, including financial support for farmers to convert to, and manage their farms to organic standards. Unlike other funding options within the scheme, organic conversion and maintenance applications are not competitive and therefore all eligible applications will be successful.
The benefits of organic conversion
With the UK organic market now entering its ninth consecutive year of growth and the UK Government prioritising environment and soil health in the new Agricultural Bill, there are opportunities for farmers to certify and convert to organic. In addition organic conversion funding options are over a 5 year agreement with increased payments for the first 2 years, providing a financial boost for farmers through their conversion period. The Soil Association’s Organic Farm Income Report shows that net farm income is often higher on organic farms than non-organic farms due to lower costs of production and higher environmental support payments.
The new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is expected to start in 2024 however the Government has promised that there will be flexibility to allow farmers entering Countryside Stewardship to transfer to ELMS if they wish so this shouldn’t be a deterrent for applying for funding now.
Rates on offer for organic conversion and maintenance
Payments for Countryside Stewardship funding are split across Mid-Tier schemes, which deliver a broad range of environmental benefits and Higher-Tier schemes, which support the most environmentally significant sites and requires more complex management. Agreements are over 5 years and conversion payments will normally be paid for up to 2 years, except for permanent crops such as fruit trees where a 3 year conversion period applies. Subsequent years are paid at the management rate.
Total payment per ha per year
Conversions rates (first 2 years)
Management rate (subsequent 3 years)
Rotational land
£175
£65
Improved Grassland
£75
£40
Unimproved Grassland
£50
£20
Horticultural land
£400
£200
Top Fruit
£450
£300
Enclosed rough grazing
-
£8
2020 key dates
The application and closing dates depend on whether you're making a Mid- or Higher-Tier application.
Higher-Tier dates
31 March deadline for application pack request
1 May application deadline
Mid-Tier dates
31 May deadline for paper & phone application pack request & CSFO endorsement request
30 June online application pack request
31 July application deadline
Agreement start date
Both Higher-Tier and Mid-Tier agreements will start on 1st January 2021 and last for 5 years.
How to apply
When applying for Countryside Stewardship funding for organic conversion and maintenance, there are two key steps you will need to follow:
1. You must apply for the Countryside Stewardship funding directly with the Rural Payments Agency. Please visit their website for further information and a step by step guide to applying for the Countryside Stewardship scheme. You must request an application pack for Mid-Tier funding by 30 June 2020, which must then be submitted by 31 July.
2. You must also register with an organic certification body such as Soil Association Certification. You can do this either before or after applying for Countryside Stewardship funding and you will need to complete different steps in each case.
Register before applying for Countryside Stewardship funding: You must complete a conversion plan, which must be approved and signed off by an organic certification body like Soil Association Certification. This conversion plan will then need to be submitted as part of your application to Rural payments. We can help - Get in touch with our expert farming team to discuss how we can support you.
Register after applying for Countryside Stewardship funding: If you want to apply for funding via the Rural Payments Agency before having had a Conversion Plan approved by a certification body, you must complete a Viability Plan, which must be submitted to the Rural Payments Agency along with your funding application. If you use a Viability Plan you must get an approved and signed-off Conversion Plan from your organic certification body and have started conversion before the agreement start date of 1st Jan 2021.
