top of page
Hare sitting in wildflowers

Mixtures for Schemes

All Things Rural specialises in creating high-quality seed mixtures tailored to meet the requirements of various government schemes aimed at enhancing biodiversity and sustainable land management.

 

Our expert-designed mixtures support the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and the Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS). Each mix is carefully formulated to provide ecological benefits such as soil health improvement, pollinator support, carbon capture, and habitat creation for wildlife. Whether you are looking to establish wildflower meadows, enhance soil fertility, or support local biodiversity, we can help with putting together mixtures to help farmers and landowners maximise environmental benefits while meeting scheme requirements.

A hedgerow with a field in the background

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. 

Bird sitting on a hedgerow

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is a key component of the UK Government's Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme, designed to reward farmers for adopting environmentally sustainable practices while continuing to maintain productive agricultural activity. The SFI encourages farmers to implement practices that enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, boost water quality, and promote climate resilience. With its flexible approach, the SFI caters to farms of all sizes and types, making it accessible to a wide range of agricultural operations. By offering payments for actions that benefit the environment, the SFI aims to create a more sustainable, resilient farming sector and contribute to the UK's broader environmental goals, paving the way for a greener future in agriculture.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)

Tractor rolling a grass field

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

Green plants climbing up new building

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) looks like a measurable improvement in the variety and health of ecosystems following development. It involves creating, restoring, or enhancing habitats to increase biodiversity value, often through actions like planting native species, restoring wetlands, or improving wildlife corridors. The aim is to achieve at least a 10% increase in biodiversity on a site, ensuring that development projects not only minimise environmental harm but actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of natural habitats.

What Does BNG Look Like?

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a concept introduced under the UK's Environment Act 2021, aimed at ensuring that developments leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than before. BNG requires developers to deliver a 10% net gain in biodiversity through habitat creation, restoration, or enhancement as part of their projects. This approach not only compensates for the environmental impacts of development but also helps to restore and protect habitats, providing long-term benefits for wildlife and ecosystems.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) offers a range of benefits for both the environment and society. One of the key advantages is the enhancement of ecosystems, ensuring that development projects leave a positive legacy by improving biodiversity. By restoring habitats, creating new green spaces, and increasing the variety of species, BNG helps to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss. This can lead to healthier ecosystems, improved soil quality, better water management, and increased resilience to climate change. With a focus on ecological improvements, BNG fosters a more sustainable coexistence between development and nature.

​

In addition to environmental benefits, BNG can bring significant economic advantages. By enhancing natural capital, developers may improve the long-term value of their land and projects. Biodiversity-rich environments can attract investment, improve local well-being, and increase property values. Moreover, well-implemented BNG strategies can help mitigate risks related to environmental damage, such as flooding or soil erosion, ultimately leading to cost savings for businesses and communities.

Biodiversity Net Gain Benefits

Big park next to a modern city

Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS)

Severn Trent's Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) is a grant initiative that supports farmers and landowners within priority catchment areas to improve water quality and safeguard the environment. Funded by Severn Trent Water, the scheme offers financial assistance for projects that help reduce agricultural pollution, promote sustainable land management, and enhance local biodiversity.

​

Eligible activities under STEPS include the creation of buffer strips, improvements to pesticide handling areas, nutrient management, planting of cover crops, and installing fencing to protect watercourses. The scheme is designed to align with wider environmental objectives and can be tailored to complement other government initiatives such as the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes and Countryside Stewardship, helping land managers achieve multiple environmental benefits.

bottom of page