The final consultation for the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) was published in December 2023. To view a copy, please click on the link below:-

SFS Document

Before the consultation period closes on 7 March 2024, there will be a series of engagement events held around Wales during January and February with formal presentations and information stands where you can discuss how the proposed scheme actions can be carried out on your farm. Event dates and locations are as follows:-

• 17 January 2024: Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon LL55 1AY
• 18 January 2024: Pavilion, Llangollen, LL20 8SW
• 22 January 2024: Llandovery Rugby Club, SA20 0BA
• 24 January 2024: Livestock Market, Welshpool, SY21 8SR
• 30 January 2024: The Cliff Hotel, Gwbert, Cardigan, SA43 1PP
• 31 January 2024: The Plas, Narberth, SA67 7AB
• 5 February 2024: Llanarth Village Hall, Raglan, NP15 2AU
• 6 February 2024: Best Western Heronston Hotel, Bridgend, CF35 5AW
• 9 February 2024: International Pavilion, Builth Wells, LD2 3SY
• 14 February 2024: Y Plas, Machynlleth, SY20 8ER

If you wish to book a place at one of the above please click here:-

BOOK NOW

The ADS (Window 2) is a capital grant scheme available to farmers in Wales. The Expression of Interest (EoI) is now open and will close on 12 January 2024. The objectives of the scheme are to:-

• support the establishment of new viable agricultural diversification enterprises on farms.
• support the development of existing novel or niche enterprises.
• build resilience into Welsh agriculture by developing diversified income streams.
• reduce the reliance on traditional agricultural enterprises.
• respond to new market opportunities and develop new markets.

Support is provided for projects that meet the following criteria only:
• the development of existing, or establishment of new agricultural livestock enterprises that are not traditional enterprises in Wales

• the growing of novel or alternative crops

The maximum grant award is £100,000 and the minimum is £3,000. It provides a maximum 40% contribution (against actual invoiced costs)  towards capital investments (excluding VAT), which can be demonstrated as offering clear and quantifiable benefits to farm businesses.

Your application may exceed the maximum grant, if selected, the related claim is capped to the maximum £100,000. You must be able to complete and claim all Capital Works items by 31 March 2025.

For further detailed information on the Scheme, please follow the link below:-

ADS Rules Booklet

If you would like further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516 or by email on ofice@carawales.co.uk

The HDS (Window 3) is a Capital grant scheme available to existing commercial horticultural producers across Wales. The Expression of Interest (EoI) is now open and will close on 12 January 2024. The aim of the scheme is to:

• support existing commercial horticultural producers to develop their businesses through investment in new equipment and technology that offer clear and quantifiable benefits to the horticultural enterprise.
• enable horticultural businesses to sustainably expand production, diversify into new crops, improve production efficiency and enhance product quality.
• enable horticultural producers to enter new markets, increase local employment and support the rural economy as part of the green recovery from Covid-19.

The maximum grant award is £100,000 and the minimum is £3,000.

The grant provides a maximum 40% contribution towards capital investments in equipment and machinery, (excluding VAT) which can be demonstrated as offering clear and quantifiable benefits to horticulture enterprises.

Your application may exceed the maximum grant, if selected, the related claim is capped to the maximum £100,000.

For further detailed information on the Scheme, please follow the link below:-

HDS Rules Booklet

If you would like further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516 or by email on ofice@carawales.co.uk

The SGYC Scheme (Window 2) is being offered to help pay for yard coverings and improved drainage systems for buildings. The Expression of Interest (EoI) is now open and will close on 15 December 2023.

Detailed guidance on this Scheme can be accessed from the link below:-

SGYC General Rules Booklet

If you are interested in the Scheme or wish to clarify anything, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516 or email office@carawales.co.uk

• Standard cost for items. £3000 minimum grant (£7,500 spend) and £12,000 maximum grant (£30,000 spend). If you have previously applied for Farm Business Grant Yard Coverings, the total grant received will NOT count towards the maximum grant available through the Small Grants -Yard Coverings Scheme.
• For existing livestock feeding areas, livestock gathering areas and manure storage areas,
  applicants must demonstrate the whole area has a floor impermeable to water e.g. concrete.
• Existing flooring will need to be shown in the EoI application using geo-tagged photographs. If floor is
  covered in slurry or manure, the appropriate area needs to be washed prior to taking
  photos.
• Farmers will have 12 months from date of issue of Contract to complete the works and submit a claim.
• At the Claim stage, you will be required to submit confirmation re. planning permission and SUDS (deals with surface water on developments over 100sqm),  invoices for all claimed items and geo-tagged photos of the roofed area and supported items after the investment has been completed.

The AFTER photos will also need to show that the clean water from the new roof is diverted to a clean water drain, and that the slurry from the yard area is directed into a suitably constructed store or appropriate reception tank.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) window for the Spring/Summer Sown Growing for the Environment (Window 4) is now open and will close on 15^th December 2023. The minimum grant award is equivalent to the payment rate for 1ha of eligible crop,and the maximum grant is £5,000. EOI’s must be submitted via your RPW account – for more detailed information, please refer to the Rules Booklet (link below), in particular:-

• pages 20-21 (supporting documentation required with claim)
  
• pages 40-58 (Annex A – eligible crops & grant value).

GFTE Rules Booklet

If you would like further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516 or by email on ofice@carawales.co.uk

The Contract for this window will end 28 February 2025, all claims must be submitted by this date.

The Welsh Government has announced a new interim Habitat Scheme (for 2024 only) to replace Glastir Advanced, Glastir Organic and Glastir Commons. If you were previously part of these schemes, they will come to an end on 31/12/23.

Proposed payment rates are set at £69/ha for habitat land and £62/ha for woodland, with a tapering mechanism of 100% payment rate for the first 200ha, 50% payment rate for the next 200ha and 10% paymnet rate for anything over 400ha.

The Expression of Interest (EoI) is open until 10/11/23. More detailed information on the Scheme can be found by following the link below

https://www.gov.wales/habitat-wales-scheme-rules-booklet

If you would like to discuss the new Scheme and its requirements, or support to complete the EoI, please contact the office on 01570 471516 or email office@carawales.co.uk

The Expression of Interest (EOI) window for the Autumn Sown Growing for the Environment (Window 3) is now open and will close on 14^th July 2023. The minimum grant award is equivalent to the payment rate for 1ha of eligible crop,and the maximum grant is £5,000. EOI’s must be submitted via your RPW account – for more detailed information, please refer to the Rules Booklet (link below), in particular:-

• page 20 (supporting documentation required with claim)
  
• pages 35-37 (Annex A – eligible crops & grant value).

Growing for the Environment Rules Booklet

If you would like further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516 or by email on ofice@carawales.co.uk

The Contract for this window will end 29 February 2024, all claims must be submitted by this date.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) window for Small Grants -Environment is 22 May to 30 June 2023.

This round of Small Grants -Environment will address the theme of Carbon, and is a standalone scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per business for Capital Works Projects. These include:-

• Hedge coppicing and gapping up
• New hedge planting
• Hedge laying

(all the above 3 options with Fencing as supporting capital works)

Capital Works projects must be claimed for and submitted with before and after geo-tagged photos by 10/02/2024 (date to be confirmed when Contracts are issued).