Farmers in south Devon can apply for a grant for one-off nature projects.
The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit has jsut completed year one of funding a wide range of initiatives.
It has awarded funds for stone wall renovation, new hedgerows, farm shops, information boards, pond creation, foot paths, bird boxes, orchards, carbon soil testing, cart pond restoration, tree planting, and specific machinery items.
Through the programme, farmers and land managers can be supported to carry out projects that support nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage, or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.
It’s a programme of funding for one-off projects covering these areas of work, not an agri-environment scheme.
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Roger English Manager of the AONB Unit said: “74 per cent of the land area of the AONB is farmed.
"We were delighted to be able to work with farmers and land managers across the AONB to help deliver a range of projects and look forward to delivering more over the next two years.
"All of the projects delivered for nature with 659 m of new hedgerow planted and 11 increased the resilience of nature friendly farming businesses which is important for their contribution to a more thriving local economy.
"We are keen for anyone with a project in mind to get in touch as the panel allocates funds for year two and looks ahead to year three.”
Sowing wildflowers on a new hedge at Park Farm
The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (FiPL) pays for projects that, in the opinion of the Local Assessment Panel provide value for money and meet at least one of the outcomes of the themes of climate, nature, people and place.
In addition to this the project must meet at least one of the objectives of the AONB Management Plan.
The panel is made up of local farmers, and representatives from Natural England, RSPB, the AONB Partnership Committee and South Hams District Council.
Jo Rogers of Croft Farm said: “We are passionate about farming in a sensitive way given our location on the Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary.
"Through the grant we were able to deliver a range of benefits for nature and to help make our business more resilient."
The fund has a further £145,000 to allocate in year two and £152,000 to allocate for year three.
The programme was launched on July 1 last year in all AONBs and National Parks is part of Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan and it will run until March 2024.
For more information on the programme and how to apply visit southdevonaonb.org.uk/opportunities-for-farmers-2021-24/ or contact FiPL Officer Henry Lucas at henry.lucas@southdevonaonb.org.uk.
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