Your Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire county NFU update

Nathan Boyd

NFU County Adviser (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire)

Newbury Success, SFI26 and Upcoming Member Events

Newbury Show Success

This year’s Newbury Show saw the NFU stand busier than ever with the expansion on last year to include having cows on the stand, NFU Live Lessons in partnership with NADAS and even a combine everyone could climb some steps and sit in. The level of public engagement we saw at Newbury this year kept us rushed off our feet for the whole weekend, and it was great to have so many conversations with those who are seeing farming for the first time in real life.

A huge thanks goes out to the members of the BBO and Wiltshire Management Teams who gave up large chunks of their weekend to man the stand and keep the conversations going. A wholly worthwhile weekend, and we are looking forward to continuing the partnership with Newbury Show in 2027.

Not Coffee morning

Our next few Not Coffee morning events are now in your inbox, be it the 21st at The Crown Inn, Pishill or the Blenheim Rural Crime Conference being held on Monday 2nd October from 6:30pm at Blenheim Palace, we would love to see you for a cuppa and a chat.

As we start looking at next year’s events, if you would be keen to host an informal farm walk with ourselves providing the tea and coffee to open up your farm to those wanting to see how you farm, or just want to pop in for a cuppa then get in touch and we would be happy to help organise one with you.

SFI26:

Since the SFI26 Window 2 opening, we have heard of many heart wrenching stories of many of you missing out on submitting applications through technical error, or timing.

Many of you have fed in your individual situations but if you have been affected and haven’t feedback yet, please do so. Our office holder team continue to press government on this matter, and we are urging for the 2027 SFI to be rolled out in spring. You can have your say on the proposed approach here: NFU seeks member feedback on approach to SFI27 application process – NFUonline.

Also please do write to your MP, many MPs have asked for case studies around the complete debacle, the more they hear from farmers the more they take notice. If you want any help with this please don't hesitate to give myself or your local Group Secretary a call.

BBO AGM

Finally, invites will be going out next week for the Berks, Bucks and Oxon AGM with Tom Bradshaw, more details can be found below and HERE, but if you can join us on the 11th November we look forward to seeing you.

Surveys and questionnaires

Calling Buckinghamshire Farmers, Growers, and Producers: Could a new Farmers’ Market work for your business?

Following our work with Buckinghamshire Council earlier this year, they are now exploring the opportunity to introduce a new monthly farmers’ market offer in High Wycombe and Aylesbury, and they woud love to hear your views.

Whether you already trade at farmers’ markets, have traded in the past, or have never considered it before, your experience and perspective are valuable. We want to understand what works for you, what gets in the way, and what would make a new market worth your time.

The survey also provides an opportunity to tell us about other ways we could support your rural business.

Have your say and register your interest:

https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/egr/683dbf7b

Closing date: Wednesday 25 November 2026 (midnight)

The survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete and your feedback will help us shape the next steps.

Start date

20 October 2026 at 4:00pm

End date

25 November 2026 at 11:59pm

Event

Blenheim Rural Crime & Farming Conference

Our November Not Coffee event is slightly different in that we will be heading to Blenheim Palace for their Rural Conference in partnership with the NFU and Thames Valley Police, with tea, coffee, and hog roast for all those attending!

Monday 2nd November - 6:30pm onwards
The Stables Café, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock OX20 1PP

With plenty of time for a coffee and a catch up before and afterward, with a interesting programme of speakers for the evening, including:

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue - Preventing wildfires
Hedges Law – Succession in the Countryside
Datatag & security of vehicles
TVP Rural Crime Taskforce with NFU BBO annual review
And a range of pop up stalls from local groups and NFU Mutual.

So we can cater for this event, please do RSVP to [email protected]

Start date

02 November 2026 at 6:30pm

End date

02 December 2026 at 10:00pm

Location

The Stables Cafe - Blenheim Palace.

Event

NFU Berks, Bucks & Oxon Annual General Meeting 2026 with Tom Bradshaw

Come join members for the 2026 Berks, Bucks and Oxon NFU Annual General Meeting where we are joined by NFU President Tom Bradshaw and Director of Regions & Commercial Chirs McElligott alongside your County Office Holders.

A buffet supper is served from 7pm with the meeting starting promptly at 7:30pm.

Start date

11 November 2026 at 7:00pm

End date

11 November 2026 at 10:00pm

Location

The Oxfordshire, Rycote Ln, Milton Common, Thame OX9 2PU

Local news

FIPL: Can we help you fund your project?

The Cotswolds National Landscape’s Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme still has plenty of funds left to allocate this financial year. If you have a project in the Cotswolds which can be delivered before the end of March 2027, we are particularly keen to hear from you. You could be awarded up to £250,000 of funding to deliver your project!

FiPL is very flexible in what projects we can support from fencing for mob grazing or habitat restoration, food processing equipment and improvements to public access to spring capture, horticulture and farm diversification. For inspiration have a look at the list of projects supported so far and the five minute FiPL film.

For more information on the FiPL Programme and what it can support, please take a look at our webpage or get in touch with the team; [email protected].

Find out more HERE

Local news

Oxfordshire Nature Recovery Fund

The Oxfordshire Nature Recovery Fund (ONReF) is a new loan fund designed to help farmers, landowners and community enterprises access upfront finance for nature recovery projects that have the potential to generate future income through nature markets.

Projects could include habitat creation and restoration, woodland planting, wetland creation, river improvements, natural flood management, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivery and carbon projects.

Unlike most environmental funding schemes, ONReF provides loans rather than grants, with funding of up to £150,000 available on flexible, below market terms. Projects must deliver measurable environmental benefits, demonstrate a potential income stream to repay the loan and show that alternative finance is not readily available.

The fund is currently seeking expressions of interest ahead of lending opening.

Email [email protected] to find out more

Find Out More

Local news

Have your say on eel conservation in the Thames catchment

Thames Rivers Trust is inviting farmers and land managers to complete a short survey on priorities for restoring European eel populations. Your input will help shape future conservation work across the Thames and its tributaries. The survey takes around five minutes and is open until 31st October.

Survey Link

Local news

Cotswolds Rivers Trust: Free Site Visits for Landowners

The NFU would like to highlight support available to members from the Cotswolds Rivers Trust, an independent environmental charity working to restore and protect the water environment.

The Trust is offering free site visits to landowners to discuss water related projects and opportunities. This includes expert advice on river channel improvements, pond and wetland creation and natural flood management measures, delivered in collaboration with partner organisations.

Working across the Upper Thames, Windrush, Evenlode and Cherwell catchments, the Trust can also support landowners to access capital funding and provide guidance on Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.