top of page
Deer hiding in flowers

Environmental Land Management Schemes

Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) are a vital component of the UK Government's agricultural policy, designed to reward farmers and landowners for enhancing the environment while maintaining agricultural productivity. These schemes aim to strike a balance between productive farming and ecological stewardship, fostering a more sustainable and environmentally resilient future for agriculture.

 

ELMS is structured around three key components: the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery, and Landscape Recovery.​These schemes replace the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and adopt a "public money-for-public goods" approach, incentivising practices that enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, boost water quality, and strengthen climate resilience. 

Countryside Stewardship

Countryside Stewardship

” Countryside Stewardship (CS) provides financial incentives for farmers, woodland owners, foresters and land managers to look after and improve the environment “

​

The Countryside Stewardship scheme is part of the UK's broader efforts to enhance environmental sustainability in agriculture. It offers farmers and landowners financial support for maintaining and improving the natural environment. The scheme includes options like restoring habitats, promoting biodiversity, protecting water and soil quality, and enhancing landscape features. There are also specific grants for capital items such as boundary restoration, water quality improvements, and woodland management. As part of the Agricultural Transition Plan, Countryside Stewardship supports farming practices that protect and enhance the countryside, with an emphasis on long-term environmental benefits.

The main objectives of the Countryside Stewardship are to:

  1. Preserve habitats for wildlife

  2. Manage the risk of flooding

  3. Develop and manage woodland

  4. Decrease agricultural water pollution

  5. Conserve the countryside’s character

Tractor ploughing field

The Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme provides financial support for farmers and land managers to adopt environmentally beneficial practices. It promotes activities that improve biodiversity, water quality, and soil health, including habitat creation and soil condition improvements. The scheme has three components—Mid Tier, Higher Tier, and Capital Grants—offering varying levels of support based on project scale and complexity.

​

The Mid Tier of Countryside Stewardship supports smaller, straightforward environmental projects, while the Higher Tier targets larger, complex conservation efforts. Capital Grants fund infrastructure like fencing and water management. This scheme offers incentives to help farmers and land managers adopt sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship.

How it Works

A rabbit with wildlife

The Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme offers a range of benefits for both farmers and the environment. By participating, farmers can receive financial support for implementing sustainable farming practices that enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and boost soil health. CS encourages the creation of wildlife habitats, wetlands, and hedgerows, fostering diverse ecosystems and improving overall environmental quality.

​

In addition, the scheme provides farmers with opportunities for long-term land management, promoting practices like crop rotation and the preservation of traditional farming methods. This not only supports wildlife but also helps improve resilience against environmental challenges such as flooding and soil erosion. Furthermore, CS offers funding for infrastructure projects like fencing and water management systems, helping to make farming operations more sustainable.

Countryside Stewardship Benefits

We can provide the following mixtures:

  • AHW1 - Bumblebird Mix: Option 1 Autumn Sown

  • AHW1 - Bumblebird Mix: Option 2 Spring Sown

  • AHW3 - Beetle Banks

  • AHW8 / AHW9 / AHW10 - Cereals

  • BFS1/2/3 - Watercourse Buffer Strip

  • CAHL1 - Pollen and Nectar Flower Mix- Option 1

  • CAHL1 - Pollen and Nectar Flower Mix - Option 2 

  • CAHL1 - Pollen and Nectar Flower Mix - Option 3 

  • CAHL2 - Winter Bird Food - Option 1 Grey Partridge

  • CAHL2 - Winter Bird Food - Option 2 Tree Sparrow

  • CAHL2 - Winter Bird Food - Option 2 Finches & Bunting 

  • CAHL3 - Grassy Fields Corners or Blocks - Option 1 

  • CAHL3 - Grassy Fields Corners or Blocks - Option 2

  • CAHL3 - Grassy Fields Corners or Blocks - Option 3

  • CAHL4 - Grass Buffer Strip on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 1

  • CAHL4 - Grass Buffer Strip on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 2 

  • CAHL4 - Grass Buffer Strip on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 3

  • CIGL3 - Grass Buffer Strip on Improved Grassland - Option 1

  • CIGL3 - Grass Buffer Strip on Improved Grassland - Option 2

  • CIGL3 - Grass Buffer Strip on Improved Grassland - Option 3

  • CIMP2 - Flower-rich Grass Margins, Blocks or In-field Strips

  • CIMP3 - Companion Crop on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 1

  • CIMP3 - Companion Crop on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 2

  • CIMP3 - Companion Crop on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 3

  • CIMP3 - Companion Crop on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 4

  • CIMP3 - Companion Crop on Arable and Horticultural Land - Option 5

  • CLIG3 - Manage Grassland with Very Low Nutrient Inputs - Option 1

  • ​CLIG3 - Manage Grassland with Very Low Nutrient Inputs - Option 2

  • ​CLIG3 - Manage Grassland with Very Low Nutrient Inputs - Option 3

  • CNUM2 - Legumes Only - Option 1

  • CNUM2 - Legumes Only - Option 2

  • CNUM2 - Legumes Only - Option 3

  • CNUM2 - Legumes and Grasses - Option 1

  • CNUM2 - Legumes and Grasses - Option 2 

  • CNUM2 - Legumes and Grasses - Option 3

  • CNUM3 - Legume Fallow - Option 1

  • CNUM3 - Legume Fallow - Option 2 with Grass

  • CSSAM2 - Multi Species Winter Cover Crop

  • CSSAM3 - Herbal Leys - Option 1

  • ​CSSAM3 - Herbal Leys - Option 2

  • CSSAM3 - Herbal Leys - Option 3

  • CSSAM3 - Herbal Leys - Option 4

  • CSSAM3 - Herbal Leys - Option 5

  • SOH2 - Multi-Species Spring Sown Cover Crop - Option 1

  • SOH2 - Multi-Species Spring Sown Cover Crop - Option 2

  • SOH2 - Multi-Species Spring Sown Cover Crop - Option 3

  • SOH3 - Multi-Species Spring Sown Cover Crop - Option 1

  • SOH3 - Multi-Species Spring Sown Cover Crop - Option 2

  • SOH3 - Multi-Species Spring Sown Cover Crop - Option 3

  • SOH4 - Winter Cover Following Maize Crops - Option 1 

  • SOH4 - Winter Cover Following Maize Crops - Option 2

  • SOH4 - Winter Cover Following Maize Crops - Option 3

  • SOH4 - Winter Cover Following Maize Crops - Option 4

  • SOH4 - Winter Cover Following Maize Crops - Option 5

Sustainable Farming Incentive

“ Farmers will get paid for taking actions that support food production and improve farm productivity and resilience, while also protecting and improving the environment. Additional actions under SFI 2023 will help ensure there is an offer that is attractive and workable for all types of farms.

​

The 23 actions on offer cover existing themes including soil health and moorland, as well as new actions on hedgerows, integrated pest management, nutrient management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips, and low input grassland. ”​​

A green hedgerow
Looking South West from Gortmore Viewpoi
Deer hiding in a hedge
bottom of page