Countryside Stewardship

Countryside Stewardship: Maximising environmental and financial benefits

The Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme was the primary agri-environmental initiative offered by the UK government, designed to assist farmers, woodland owners, foresters, and land managers in England to promote environmental sustainability in tandem with economic viability.

Although the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme has now taken prominence, CS still has a vital role, particularly for those with existing agreements and those benefiting from its highly sought-after Capital Grant funding.

Tailored services to support and build confidence with your CS schemes

At Brown&Co, we offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet your specific needs as schemes evolve. Our services include:

CS management: Given that agreements last between five and 10 years, it is crucial that they are effectively managed. We provide tailored management solutions, from compiling and updating records to assessing your scheme on the ground, to enable all requirements to be met.

Annual claims: Annual claims are essential until an agreement concludes. We can assist you to seamlessly navigate this process.

Scheme transfers: As participants seek to transition from CS to the more flexible SFI, we work closely with our clients and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to facilitate a smooth process.

Capital items: CS capital grants are extremely popular with farm businesses as they provide quick access to a variety of items suitable for upcoming projects. These grants, which are available year-round, have competitive payment rates and straightforward guidance. We can guide you on what is available and facilitate the application process.

Inspection support: A CS inspection can either take the form of a request for option information, which is typically emailed, or an on-farm visit. Brown&Co has wide-ranging experience in supporting clients throughout this inspection process, providing reliable assistance when it really matters.