Is this the last chance for Countryside Stewardship?
With Brexit looming, 2017 could potentially be the last chance for farmers to take advantage of Countryside Stewardship before the dust settles.
And my advice is for farmers not to miss out on the opportunity to secure funding through what can be a really positive scheme.
Applications can now be developed for the Mid Tier of the agri-environment scheme in England, and we have submitted many applications packs to Natural England already.
If you think you might qualify for the financial incentives, you need to act quickly because time is running out - and there is a lot of work involved with the application.
The deadline for completed applications is September 30, but for those interested in the scheme, you need to have ordered your pack by no later than July 31.
This allows Natural England time to send out the maps and evidence requirements, in time for farmers and agents to develop a suitable application in time for the September deadline.
For those unfamiliar, the Mid Tier scheme is the modern equivalent of the ELS (Entry Level Stewardship).
It offers a five-year agreement for environmental improvements in the wider countryside, such as reducing diffuse water pollution or improving the environment for birds, pollinators and farm wildlife.
You can also get funding for creating and managing woodland, flood risk management and maintaining the character of the countryside, such as preserving historical features in the rural landscape.
There are also financial incentives available for encouraging educational access to the countryside, so there is quite a lot of scope for getting involved.
The major difference between this and schemes of old is the amount of related paperwork and photographs that must be submitted along with the applications and subsequent annual claims.
This supporting evidence has seen a large amount of negative press and has resulted in lots of farmers overlooking the positives associated with Countryside Stewardship.
With this being potentially the last chance for farmers to enter into stewardship - for some time - I am advising that farmers look carefully into the potential positives it can offer.
If you would like any advice about stewardship please contact myself at Madeleys by popping into the offices in Much Wenlock, giving us a call on 01952 727007 or visit the website at www.madeleys.co.uk
Tom Bayliss is a Rural Surveyor at Madeleys
