Compare ELM schemes to choose the right environmental funding

Current scheme status at a glance

Before comparing schemes in detail, understand what is currently available:

Three-scheme comparison

Each ELM scheme serves a different purpose and suits different farm situations:

Detailed scheme breakdown

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)

SFI is designed as the 'entry-level' environmental scheme, accessible to all farmers with minimal bureaucracy. The reformed SFI 2026 offer:

Countryside Stewardship (CS)

Countryside Stewardship offers longer-term agreements for environmental management. It has two main tiers:

Landscape Recovery

Landscape Recovery is fundamentally different from SFI and CS. It supports large-scale, long-term, transformational change to land use.

Decision framework: Which scheme is right for you?

Work through these questions to identify your best starting point:

Combining schemes

You can hold agreements in multiple ELM schemes simultaneously. This allows you to maximise income from different types of environmental management.

What you CAN do

• Hold SFI and CS agreements at the same time
• Apply different schemes to different land parcels
• Claim standalone Capital Grants alongside revenue agreements
• Add compatible actions from different schemes to your farm

What you CANNOT do

• Receive duplicate payments for the same action on the same land parcel
• Stack incompatible actions (e.g., two different grassland prescriptions on the same field)
• Claim for actions that conflict with each other's management requirements

Common combination strategies

Baseline + targeted approach: Use SFI for whole-farm actions (soil assessment, hedgerow management) while using CS Higher Tier for specific high-value environmental features (SSSIs, wetlands, priority habitats).

Revenue + capital approach: Claim revenue payments through SFI or CS options, while separately claiming Capital Grants for infrastructure improvements.

Transition approach: If your existing agreement is expiring, you may be able to apply for a new scheme on the same land once the old agreement ends.

What to do if you were affected by the SFI closure

The sudden SFI closure on 11 March 2025 affected many farmers who were planning to apply or had started applications. Here is guidance for different situations:

The reformed SFI 2026 scheme

When SFI reopens in 2026, it will operate differently from the 2024 offer:

Two application windows (not rolling applications):

• 30 June 2026: First window - for small farms (50 hectares or less) and/or those without an existing ELM revenue agreement; minimum 3 hectares
• September 2026: Second window - open to all farmers including those who did not apply in June

Other announced changes:

• 71 actions, streamlined from the 102 in the 2024 offer
• £100,000 cap per agreement year, with one agreement per business
• Clear budget allocations published for each window
• Advance warning before windows close (no sudden closures)

Applications are not yet open - the first window opens on 30 June 2026, with an invited pilot from around 18 June 2026. Monitor the Defra Farming Blog for updates.

Preparing your application

Regardless of which scheme you choose, good preparation improves your chances of success.

For Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

1. Check if you are a priority category: Expiring HLS/CSHT agreements, approved woodland plans, SSSI land
2. Wait for invitation: RPA contacts eligible applicants on a rolling monthly basis
3. Prepare for pre-application advice: Natural England or Forestry Commission will work with you
4. Identify actions: Review the 99 base actions and 33 supplemental actions for your land type
5. Allow time: The process from invitation to agreement takes several months

For SFI when it reopens (2026)

1. Check your eligibility for the first window: Small farm (50 hectares or less, minimum 3 hectares) and existing ELM agreement status
2. Update your Rural Payments data now: Ensure land parcels and business details are accurate
3. Research available actions: Identify which actions suit your farm type and goals
4. Consider starting points: Soil assessment actions are low-risk entry points
5. Check compatibility: If you have other agreements, verify which SFI actions you can add

For Landscape Recovery

1. Form or join a collaborative group: Most projects involve multiple landowners
2. Develop a project concept: 500+ hectares with clear environmental outcomes
3. Monitor funding rounds: Applications open periodically with specific themes
4. Prepare robust proposals: Include environmental benefits, deliverability, value for money

Getting help and advice

Making the right scheme choice can significantly impact your farm business. Sources of support include:

Government and agency support:

• Rural Payments Agency helpline: 03000 200 301 (Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm)
• Natural England: For Higher Tier queries and designated site management
• Forestry Commission: For woodland-related actions
• Catchment Sensitive Farming advisers: Free environmental advice in priority catchments

Industry and professional support:

• NFU (National Farmers' Union): Member advice services including scheme planning
• Tenant Farmers Association: Advice for tenant farmers on scheme implications
• CLA (Country Land and Business Association): Advice for landowners
• Independent agronomists: Many offer environmental scheme advice
• Farm accountants: Can model financial impact of different scheme options
• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) rural surveyors: Farm Environment Plans and scheme applications