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Organic management and conversion funding in England
Find out what organic management and conversion funding is available in England, who it’s for, and how it can support your move to organic farming.
Defra has announced new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application windows for 2026 in June and September, including options for organic conversion and maintenance funding.
We will update this page with information about the new options available and timeframes once we know more. Stay informed of upcoming funding opportunities by signing up to the Soil Association's farming newsletter.
The following information is about previous funding that was previously available.
In England, organic farmers can access government funding for organic conversion and maintenance via the SFI. It is also possible to add SFI payments onto existing Countryside Stewardship funding.
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme
The SFI scheme is a component of the Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs). Organic farmers can receive payments for specific actions that enhance soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. Payments are available for organic conversion and maintenance.
The scheme is flexible, allowing farmers to choose actions that align with their organic practices. Organic conversion is supported through SFI and anyone with land who can deliver the SFI actions is eligible.
There is no minimum land area or a requirement for you to have been eligible for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). This means small growers with less than five hectares and new entrants can now apply for SFI.
Read more about details of payment rates.
The financial benefits of organic farming
Rates on offer for organic conversion and maintenance
Details of organic conversion through the SFI sheme
SFI Action name | Payment rate - per hectare/ per year |
OFC1: Organic conversion – Improved permanent pasture | £187 |
OFC2: Organic conversion – Unimproved permanent pasture | £96 |
OFC3: Organic conversion – Rotational land | £298 |
£874 | |
OFC5: Top fruit | £1920 |
SFI payments also available for organic maintenance
SFI Action name | Payment rate - per hectare/ per year |
OFM1: Organic land management – improved permanent grassland | £20 |
OFM2: Organic land management – Unimproved permanent pasture | £41 |
OFM3: Organic land management – Enclosed rough grazing | £97 |
OFM4: Organic land management – Rotational land | £132 |
£707 | |
OFM6: Organic land management – Top fruit | £1920 |
Specific organic only SFI options
SFI Action name | Payment rate |
OFA1: Overwinter stubble (organic land)
| £264 per hectare |
OFA3: Supplementary winter bird food (organic land)
| £935 per tonne |
OFA6: Undersown cereal crop (organic land) | £380 per hectare |
CIPM4: No use of insecticide on arable and horticultural crops | £45 per hectare |
For more information on the SFI actions and scheme requirements, visit Defra's tool to find funding for land or farms.
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I’ve been encouraged by the support that I’ve received from the technical and certification teams – certifying with them has enabled me to meet the high organic farming standards whilst farming in a practical and realistic way.
Strickley Farm
Strickley is an organic dairy farm near Kendal in South Cumbria which has been farmed by the same family since 1875. To help secure the farm's future, they reduced their reliance on artificial fertilisers and expensive inputs, introduced herbal leys, and began to grow more of their own crops.
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