H&H Group and University of Cumbria offer 12 fully funded training places for upland farms adapting to post-BPS changes.
Upland Sector Grapples with Direct Payment Cuts
H&H Steps Up with University of Cumbria
A new initiative, backed by the H&H Group and delivered in partnership with the University of Cumbria, is offering 12 fully funded places on a ‘Farm Business Opportunities’ course. This isn’t some pie-in-the-sky academic exercise; it’s designed specifically for those on the ground in Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham, and North Yorkshire. We’re talking proper, applied learning in diversification, sustainable land management, and financial planning – the bread and butter of staying afloat when subsidies are dropping off a cliff. Mark Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at H&H Group, was spot on when he said the scheme reflects the need to support farmers through this period of profound change. He’s right; we need farmers with the skills and confidence to adapt, not just lament the good old days. Covering the full £550 course fee is a significant gesture and removes a barrier for many who might otherwise struggle to justify the outlay in these uncertain times.
Practical Skills for a New Era
The four-week course kicks off on 25th May 2026 and combines classroom sessions, online learning, and importantly, on-farm visits. They’re not just showing you how a spreadsheet works; they’re taking you to places doing it differently – a regenerative system, and a traditionally sheep-focused enterprise that’s successfully diversified. This kind of real-world insight is invaluable. You can read all the textbooks you like, but seeing how someone else has successfully work throughd the challenges and made changes stick, that’s where the true learning happens. Kev Bevan from the University of Cumbria hit the nail on the head, noting the end of BPS is a ‘real threat’ even though ‘there are practical ways to respond.’ He’s also pointed out that with SFI26 opening in June, the timing couldn’t be better for farmers to get a handle on environmental scheme funding and how it can be woven into their business plan. Participants will be diving into budgeting, scenario planning – all the gritty details needed for making sound business decisions, something many farmers, myself included, have often learned by trial and error, usually the hard way.
What This Means for Farmers
Look, for upland farmers, this is another course; it’s a chance to redraw the map of their business. The loss of BPS isn’t just a reduction in income; it’s a fundamental shift in the business model. For years, direct payments provided a safety net, allowing many to continue with traditional practices. Now, every single enterprise, from the sheep flock to the silage, needs to stand on its own two feet or find a new income stream. This training offers a structured way to explore those alternatives without the usual financial burden of course fees. We’re talking hard skills: how to properly cost an enterprise like glamping or direct sales of lamb, understanding the labyrinthine details of emerging environmental schemes, and critically, how to think strategically about your farm’s future in an increasingly volatile market. It’s about moving from a subsidy-dependent mindset to a market-driven one, and that’s a massive psychological and practical leap for many. It’s not just the 12 spaces that matter; it’s the demonstration that solutions, and support, *are* out there if you go looking for them. For those who fear they’re being left behind, this is a strong signal that there are organisations willing to invest in their future.
What to Do Next
If you’re an upland farmer in Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham, or North Yorkshire, and you’re feeling the pinch of BPS changes, seriously consider this. Applications are open now, and with only 12 places on offer, they’re going to go quickly. Don’t sit on your hands and wait until the wolves are at the door. Get on the phone, look up the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Science and Environment, and get your application in. This kind of fully funded, practical training, particularly with the added benefit of on-farm visits showcasing actual diversification, is a golden ticket. It’s a chance to get some outside perspective, learn from others’ successes and mistakes, and develop a strong plan for your farm’s longevity. Remember, waiting until the last minute is rarely a successful strategy in farming, and it’s certainly not one in adapting to these big policy shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Farm Business Opportunities’ course?
It’s a four-week, fully funded training programme aimed at helping upland farmers adapt to the changes following the phase-out of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), focusing on diversification, sustainable land management, and financial planning.
Who is eligible for this training?
Upland farmers located in Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham, and North Yorkshire are eligible to apply for one of the 12 available places.
What does the training cover?
The course covers practical skills in diversification, sustainable land management, financial planning, budgeting, scenario planning, and understanding funding linked to environmental schemes.
How much does the course cost?
The £550 course fee is fully covered by the H&H Group for the successful applicants.
Related Articles
- Farm Diversification UK 2026: Complete Guide
- Environmental Schemes for UK Farmers 2026: Complete Guide
- Sheep Flock Management UK 2026: Complete Guide
BritFarmers Weekly — launching soon
One honest email a week when we launch — what’s moved on schemes, prices, disease control and policy, with links to primary sources. Join the early list.
