The Expression of Interest (EoI) window for the latest NMIS has opened this week and is available until 23 August 2024. The Scheme offers a maximum grant award of £50,000 and the minimum is £12,000 with a 50% contribution for certain nutrient storage items and 40% for remaining items /capital investments (exc. VAT). The grant will be a maximum 50% or 40% contribution against actual invoiced costs, depending on the item selected – please see grant rate for individual items detailed in the List of Eligible Capital Items – as in link below:-

https://www.gov.wales/nutrient-management-investment-scheme-window-2-list-eligible-capital-items-html#148925

Previous participation in the Nutrient Management Investment Scheme will not affect your ability to apply for the maximum £50,000 grant.

If you are offered and accept a Grant Award, you must complete the work and submit the claim inc. all supporting documentation by 31 March 2027. Please also see the following links for Scheme guidance and details required on the on-line application form on your RPW account:-

https://www.gov.wales/nutrient-management-investment-scheme-window-2-guidance-html#149084

https://www.gov.wales/appendix-line-application-questions-html

If you require further assistance with your application from CARA, please contact us asap on 01570 471516 or office@carawales.co.uk

On 10 July 2024, RPW issued a letter to all their customers to remind them of the changes applying to all land in Wales from 1 August 2024 under the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021.  These changes include requirements to comply with closed periods for spreading organic manures and ensure sufficient storage capacity during the storage period.

The letter referred to is available by logging onto your RPW account and revised documents are available at https://www.gov.wales/cross-compliance-2024

The SGYC Scheme (Window 3) 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 28 June 2024.

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

SGYC General Rules Booklet

Geotagged photo requirements: Small Grants -Yard Coverings

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 geotagged photos of the roofed area and supported items after the investment has been completed.
• If planning permission (where applicable) has not been confirmed by claim date, you can request an extension to the claim deadline and provide proof of date that the permission was requested. No extensions will be granted beyond 31 March 2026.

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 3rd Expression of Interest (EOI) window for Small Grants -Efficiency is 06 March to 16 April 2024.

This  is a capital scheme designed to help farmers in Wales to improve the technical, financial and environmental performance of their farm businesses.

The maximum grant award is £15,000 and the minimum is £1,000.

Previous participation in the Farm Business Grant or any previous rounds of the Small Grants Efficiency Scheme will not affect your ability to apply for the maximum £15,000 grant.

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 farm businesses.

The grant will be a maximum 40% contribution against actual invoiced costs up to the maximum referenced costs as stated within the list of eligible capital items.

To view the Rules Booklet, and a detailed list of Eligible Capital Items, please click here

The EOI is only available  on your RPW Online account. If you require further assistance with your application, please contact us here at CARA on 01570 471516 or email office@carawales.co.uk

The Expression of Interest (EOI) window for Small Grants Environment is 08 January to 16 February 2024.

This round of Small Grants -Environment will address the theme of Landscape & Pollinators, 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
• Dry Stone Wall Restoration
• Pond Restoration

(with Fencing as supportive capital works for some options)

Capital Works projects must be claimed for and submitted with before and after geo-tagged photos by 15/02/2025.

The relevant Scheme documents can be viewed by following the links below:
Technical Guidance Booklet

 Payment Rates

If you would like further assistance with your application, please contact the CARA Office as soon as possible on 01570 471516 or email office@carawales.co.uk 

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