Issued by: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

A new fund will open for applications in September, helping farmers work together to cut costs, strengthen their businesses and unlock new opportunities.

A new £30 million fund will help farmers reduce costs and build stronger businesses while improving our precious natural environment.

At the Great Yorkshire Show on 16 July, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds will highlight how the new Farmer Collaboration Fund will help farmers tackle shared challenges by backing practical, farmer-led collaboration through peer learning, specialist advice in key areas like soil management, local facilitators, and support for new groups.

By working collaboratively and sharing knowledge and expertise, farmers can bring down costs, manage shared risks and improve soil and water across landscapes, helping build more resilient businesses while supporting nature. For example, farmers in the Cotswolds have clubbed together to learn from one another how better soil health can improve farm outcomes and generate more income.

This forms part of the Government’s Farming Roadmap and builds on existing work that is helping farmers work together to embrace innovation and build a more productive, resilient and sustainable farming sector.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:

"I have heard first-hand from farmers in different parts of the country how important collaboration and innovation are to the sector’s future.

"That is why this government is backing farmers with £30 million through our new Farmer Collaboration Fund so farmers can work together, share expertise and build more resilient and profitable businesses."

The Collaboration Fund will be delivered through organisations including charities, local authorities and NGOs, giving farmers access to trusted local expertise and practical support while reducing paperwork so they can focus on learning from one another and improving their businesses.

The Government is also tripling dedicated funding for farmer welfare and wellbeing through a new £1.5 million Farmer Welfare Grant, opening for applications on 6 August.

Available over three years, the Farmer Welfare Grant will support targeted projects that strengthen farmers’ personal and business resilience, complementing the Government’s wider work to help build thriving, resilient farming businesses through the Farming Roadmap.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• The Farmer Collaboration Fund will open for applications on 1 September following publication of guidance in August.

• Applications will close on 30 September, with successful applicants expected to be notified in early November.

• The Farmer Welfare Grant will open for applications on 6 August, with further information to be made available on the Defra Farming Blog in advance of this.

• This funding complements the Government’s wider mission to build an NHS fit for the future and deliver a new approach to mental health, so people receive the right support at the right time in the right place.

Tags

More Like This

Reynolds: Farm tech supercharged to boost profitability

Reynolds: Backing farmers with a new era of partnership to boost farm profitability

Reforms to flood funding and investment to protect farming communities

New plan to make English farming profitable, productive, sustainable and resilient

Government announces raft of new policies and major investment to boost profits for farmers

Rural boost: Government injects nearly £350 million into farming in boost to Britain’s food security

New fertiliser regulations to back British farmers and cut pollution

Relief as Spending Review preserves nature-friendly farming budget amid tough round of cuts