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Watch our FREE webinar: Grant funding – What farmers and rural businesses should look out for in 2025

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FG Grant Funding Webinar Dec 10, 2024
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FG Grant Funding Webinar Dec 10, 2024

Following announcements from Defra that some Capital Grant items had been put on hold, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian, in partnership with Promar hosted a webinar on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 to discuss the pressing questions and opportunities within the grant funding landscape.

WATCH THE RECORDED WEBINAR NOW ON YOUTUBE

READ NOW: Our member-exclusive Insight Report based on the Grant Funding webinar discussion

Key topics

Speakers discussed the funding and grants available through Defra at the time of the webinar, alongside alternative non-governmental opportunities. The session provided the latest updates on Environmental Land Management schemes, including progress on the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship.

Practical advice on grant applications were a focal point of the discussion, with tips on crafting strong proposals to help you secure grant support.

This dynamic session, led by ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's chief reporter, Rachael Brown, proved to be an informative session for farmers and business owners in the agriculture industry. Attendees also had an opportunity to ask industry leaders and financial experts their questions.

The panel

Simon Haley, SRH Agribusiness

Simon Haley is a rural business consultant operating across the North and Midlands regions and managing his own independent advisory firm SRH Agribusiness based in Preston, Lancashire.

He is an approved consultant on the Defra Farm Resilience Fund programme, a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, and a Professional Fellow of the Institute of Agricultural Management. 

He specialises in strategic agribusiness appraisal and advisory work, and consultancy services encompass the whole spectrum of rural development grants and agricultural schemes.

Nick Mullins, H&H Land & Estates grant specialist

Nick Mullins is a seasoned expert in rural consultancy, with a diverse background in agricultural and environmental sectors. He specialises in advising on common land agreements and management, tenancy agreements, management of estates, negotiating tenancy agreements, and overseeing agri-environmental stewardship schemes. His expertise extends to advising on sales, lettings, utilities and highways schemes, as well as successfully securing grants and undertaking valuations for various rural assets.

A Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) and a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (FAAV), Nick holds a Master's in Rural Estate and Land Management from Harper Adams University and a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from Newcastle University. 

Jane Bassett, NFU midlands regional board chair, Derbyshire NFU county chair and upland farmer

Jane set up the Peak ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Group and represents farmers on the Uplands Forum.

She lives and works on an all grassland family farm in the Peak District, running mainly Hereford suckler cows alongside a flock of predominantly Mule breeding sheep. The family also runs two on-farm diversification projects.

Richard Wordsworth, NFU senior adviser for support schemes

Richard has worked for the NFU for the last 23 years.  During that time Richard has mainly been involved with farm support schemes in England, such as the Single Farm Payment Scheme, latterly the Basic Payment Scheme, and the now many aspects of the Government's Agricultural Transition Plan.  

Richard's work falls into four key themes: 1) Development of support scheme policy; 2) Implementation of scheme policy; 3) Assisting NFU members with scheme issues and; 4) Educating and raising awareness of scheme issues with members. 

Prior to working for the NFU, he was a farm business consultant working with farmers in the eastern counties on a range of administration issues, such as applications for farm support, farm budgeting and contact management.

Richard is from a farming family in the southern counties.


Sponsored by Promar

Sponsored by Promar

Promar is the leading provider of expert consulting and data solutions for the farming and food supply chain. With over 60 years of experience, we have become the trusted "on-farm" partner for farmers and agribusinesses alike. Our expertise and tailored support helps farmers thrive in an ever-changing industry.

We understand the challenges farmers face when navigating the complexities of grant funding. That's why we offer dedicated guidance to help you identify suitable funding opportunities, prepare applications, and maximise the potential of available schemes.

Whether you're seeking to improve productivity, embrace sustainable practices, or invest in innovation, Promar is here to simplify the process and ensure you make the most of the resources available. Our team of experienced consultants combines industry knowledge with practical solutions to support your long-term success.

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