Future Farming Focus and Funding

The modern farmed landscape is in a state of transition, with farmers uniquely placed to take advantage of novel environmental income streams alongside the sustainable production of food. It’s been a rather turbulent year for farming – and not only in terms of the weather. A new government and expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer have come into action since our last natural capital event in June, resulting in new focus and new funding for future farming. However, the new SFI 2024 offer is expected to streamline the process, simplify actions, improve choice and perhaps most importantly, appeal to a wider range of farmers.

This event is designed to help update on and explain the new environmental options and payments. What’s the new direction under the new government? What’s new in SFI and what’s available now? What are the new areas of focus? Hear from, amongst others:

· Alastair Leake, Policy Lead at GWCT, on political direction and priorities

· Janet Hughes, Director of Farming Reforms at DEFRA, on the new SFI combined offer and next steps

· Matt Ryan, Regeneration Lead at Nestlé UK & Ireland, on the role of the supply chain

· Jenny Bussell, Principal Scientist and Head of Agri-Environmental Science at The Allerton Project, and Jim Egan, Sustainable Farming Advisor at Kings Crops, on research relevant to current and potential future SFI measures

The day will also include a farm tour of The Allerton Project, which since 1992 has been at the forefront of research and development of many of the nature-friendly farming and landscape management practices which farmers are increasingly turning to, as well as a farmer panel of future-thinking farmers discussing how they are seeking to future-proof their businesses.

Please arrive at The Allerton Project Visitor Centre at 9.30am for refreshments. The first speaker will commence at 10am and the event will end at 3pm. Outline schedule below.

· Welcome and introductions

· Political direction and priorities - what's new under the labour government? - Alastair Leake

· SFI - the expanded 2024 offer and next steps. - Janet Hughes

· Role of the supply chain - how are food companies incentivising change? - Matt Ryan

· Q&A Panel - Chaired by Joe Stanley (Head of Sustainable Farming, The Allerton Project)

· BREAK

· Ongoing research with Nestlé, Anglian Water and Kings - new and relevant areas of focus to current and future SFI measures. Panel discussion: practicalities and reflections with Jim Egan, Jenny Bussell, James Green and Toby Simpson - Chaired by Alice Mead (Allerton Assistant Project Manager)

· LUNCH - provided by Launde Farm Foods

· Farm Tour - Joe Stanley and Alastair Leake

Host or Publisher The GWCT Allerton Project