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Around one thousand rural farms and businesses will soon turn business plans into reality as the first grants from the new £20 million Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme are approved by Defra, Farming Minister, Jim Paice announced.
Farmers, foresters and horticulturalists will receive grants of up to £25,000 to invest in green projects and new machinery so their businesses can grow in a more sustainable way.
The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme will fund new profit-boosting green schemes that:
• save energy and reduce carbon emissions;
• reduce dependence on artificial fertilizers through better use of manures;
• improve soil quality;
• improve animal health and welfare;
• save and recycle water; and
• promote woodland management by processing timber more efficiently.
Over the coming weeks successful applicants from the first round of the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme will receive letters to notify them of their success. Further funding will be available through a second round for applications opening in May.
Grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 will cover 40% of the total cost of projects, with up to 50% funding available for projects in upland areas.
This scheme is part of Defra’s £100 million package of investments through the Rural Development Programme for England that was announced in the Rural Economy Growth Review in November 2011.
The £60 million Rural Economy Grant scheme is open for entrepreneurs in rural areas to apply for life-changing grants, which could be worth more than £1 million each, to grow their businesses. The new £20 million Skills and Knowledge Transfer Network will start delivering training later this year.
Applicants to the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme were assessed on their ability to meet one or more of six objectives. Some grants are available to enable farmers to improve soil quality and reduce their use of artificial fertilisers through better use of farm slurries and manures.
Others will help businesses to reduce or recover energy, saving money and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Farmers, foresters and horticulturalists can apply for funding that will help them to save, recycle and reuse rainwater, or to improve the health and welfare of farm animals.
Money will also be invested in new mechanical equipment to process timber more efficiently, giving land owners a financial incentive to manage woodland and improve biodiversity.
Wednesday April 4, 2012/ DEFRA/ United Kingdom.
http://www.defra.gov.uk