The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) is inviting farm businesses to join their new Farm for the Future programme, which is being delivered in three areas across the south west: Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Farm for the Future provides free business and environmental support so farmers are better placed to deal with the changes in policy, including the removal of BPS and the introduction of Environmental Land Management schemes. By taking part in Farm for the Future, farmers will understand how to adapt their business to make the most of all upcoming opportunities, and be in the best position to plan for the removal of basic payments by 2028.

Farm for the Future will highlight future opportunities that may practically and financially benefit farms in the south west. Any tenant or owner-occupied farm currently in receipt of the Basic Payment Scheme in England is eligible to join the programme.

Charlii, a farmer who took part in a PCF programme in 2019 said: “The workshops have made us sit down and think about our business. We’ve become more aware of what business skills we need going forward. You rarely get the time to really look at the business, what do you like doing, what needs doing and how you can make it profitable.”

The programme consists of a welcome meeting, two workshops and one to one support:

  • Welcome meeting: An overview of the Agricultural Transition Plan and how the programme will respond to this through workshops and one-to-one support.
  • Business Workshop: Understand and prepare your farm business for changes in agricultural policy, including the removal of BPS. 
  • Environment Workshop: Discover environmental opportunities within the ELM schemes that may financially and practically benefit your farm.   
  • One-to-one support: Discuss future opportunities or challenges with your local coordinator to help you plan for the future. 

Katherine Williams from the Exmoor Hill Farming Network, who’s running the programme on Exmoor, said: “This is a great opportunity for south west farmers to access free support, tailored to the specific challenges farmers face in this area. As well as the meetings, farmers will be able to access one to one support and advice, and receive a range of tools to help them with their farm management, created by expert consultants. This sort of consultancy would normally cost thousands of pounds, so I’d really encourage farmers not to miss out on this free opportunity.”

South West Farmer:

For farmers who aren’t based near to the three groups, there is also the opportunity to take part in Farm for the Future virtually. For more information and to sign up, please visit www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture or contact your local group below.

Virtual Group - open to ALL farmers from across England

Christina Hutchings 

christina.h@live.co.uk 

Cornwall 

Farm Cornwall 

Edward Richardson 

edward@farmcornwall.co.uk

Dartmoor 

Dartmoor Hill Farm Project

Hazel Kendall

07912 470792 hkendall@dartmoor.gov.uk

Exmoor

Exmoor Hill Farming Network

Katherine Williams 

katherine@ehfn.org.uk