The grants desk

6 dispatches on file DEFRA's grants stack — SFI, Countryside Stewardship, capital grants, FETF and the schemes that follow them — read in detail and translated into what to apply for, when, and what each pays. Written by someone filling the forms in himself, not summarising the government website.

27 Apr 202619 min standing

Farm Safety UK 2026: HSE Rules, Risk Assessment and Safety Checklist

A working farmer's guide to UK farm safety — HSWA, PUWER, LOLER, 2024/25 fatality data and practical controls for vehicles, livestock and children.

24 Apr 202610 min standing

FETF 2026: What to Apply For Before the 28 April Deadline

Deadline planning: The UK farming grants deadline calendar 2026 includes the FETF 2026 claim deadline and the other grant windows to watch.

18 Apr 20266 min standing

Reading Defra scheme guidance: five questions to answer before you apply

Reading Defra — Reading scheme guidance is a skill, not a task, and most working farms only develop it under pressure of a deadline they’re trying…

22 Mar 202611 min standing

SFI Grants 2026: Capital Payment Rates Guide (£225m Available)

UK agri-environment schemes have come and gone over the past two decades — from HLS and ELS through the slow rollout of Countryside Stewardship.

18 Mar 202610 min standing

Which UK Farming Scheme Should You Apply For? A 2026 Decision Framework

ELMS Overview The Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is a new initiative launched by the UK government, aiming to revolutionize the way farmers.