Scottish farming grants currently available include the above two grants. It is recommended that anyone thinking of applying for the scheme should read the full guidance, which is available at https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/small-farms-grant-scheme/small-farms-and-new-entrants-capital-grant-full-guidance/
Small Farms Grants
As such, a small farm is defined as between 3 and 30 hectares (7.4 to 74 acres) and the funding for this grant is up to £25,000. The general aim of the grant is to improve stock control, prevent crop damage by deer, improve conditions for out wintered stock, store winter fodder and improve grassland management. The grant is open to owner occupiers, tenants with more than 3 years remaining on their tenancy and landlords where the tenancy has less than 3 years remaining. Owners who issue grazing licences are not deemed to have eligible tenancies for these grant schemes. If a sole trader, the gross income threshold is £30,700, couples being £41,000, and evidence, being the latest P60 from employment, and/or last accounts must be provided.
New Entrants Capital Grants Scheme
New Entrants Capital Grants Scheme is aimed at new farmers, who must apply within 5 years of commencing farming, and they must be head of holding, carrying out an eligible agricultural activity on the holding. If applying for these grants, you can not apply for another grant in relation to the same project. In general, up to 90% if a group, 80% if an individual, of a project cost could be funded by the grant, if you qualify as a young farmer and farm LFA land. With non LFA land, up to 60% of the project could be funded, again if qualifying as a young farmer.
Although covering some points above, the full scheme guidance is too lengthy to write here, however, the project costs can cover-
- Erection and improvements to permanent buildings to house out wintered stock
- Works in relation to yards and silos (excluding grain silos)
- Slurry and muck storage (SEPA will need involved)
- Field and hill drainage, including ditches
- Out wintered stock hard feed areas, including fixed barriers/troughs and concrete
- Stock handling improvements
- Shelter belts and utilities improvements and provision
- Access tracks to land improvement areas
For reference, a suggested minimum building size is 5 x 6m, with a suggested appropriate size of 9 x 14m. This could be increased if you can demonstrate you would require bigger, should you have only cattle, this size would no doubt need increased.
Quotes for works, together with supporting documents will need provided when applying and claiming a grant and failure to do so may revoke the grant offer, so care is needed here. Any works that are hoped to be partially funded by a grant should not be started before a grant offer is awarded. Once a grant is approved, an authority to proceed letter is sent out, together with a claim form. Your local area office will also be involved, and may make site visits to ensure you have done work in line with the application.
How do I apply?
The electronic application form for the Small Grants Scheme or New Entrants Capital Grants Scheme is available at https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/your-business/forms/pf07—sfgs-necgs-application-form/
To be able to apply, your business must be registered with the Scottish Government Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS). A link to them is https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/your-business/
Should you wish to discuss your project in more detail, our farming team will be happy to help. Will Robinson in Carlisle can be contacted on 01228 534371 or email wr@saint.co.uk , or alternatively you could contact a land agent who will be able to assist.
