SFI26 and Capital Grants Meeting
The meeting at Bakewell on 3 June with Claire Robinson, NFU Senior Adviser Countryside, speaking saw a full room and proved very timely with SFI26 details announced the day before.
Farmers the RPA believe are eligible for the June application window (farms with fewer than 50ha or have no existing ELMs revenue grant scheme agreement in place at the moment) have been contacted by them.
If you think you are eligible and want to apply in June and have not been contacted, you are advised to contact the RPA. If you are still not satisfied with the answer, call NFU CallFirst to double check.
The most important advice at this stage is make sure you have everything ready for when the application window does open, such as mapping of land being correct, including land cover, and your business and contact details being up to date.
If you are thinking of applying for the capital grants scheme which is expected to open in July, have you checked that any previous CS capital grant scheme you have claimed from in the past is closed off on any parcels you now want to apply on?
Derbyshire Dales Business Advice and Grant Scheme
A new grant scheme, the Derbyshire Dales Business Grant Fund, is now open for Derbyshire Dales businesses to apply for. Businesses must read the grant guidance to check they meet certain eligibility criteria and must attend a 1.5 hour training session on either Friday, 19 June from 9am - 10.30am, or Monday, 22 June 3.30pm - 5pm before they receive the link to apply.
Funding is not for primarily agricultural business investment but some diversifications could be eligible.
Further details are available online
Derbyshire Dales District Council also offers business advice
Dedicated business adviser, Christina Trindade, can provide a comprehensive service, including general advice on running or growing a business or signposting those who may have more specialist advice needs. As well one-to-one support there are fortnightly drop-in sessions in Matlock and Bakewell.
Contact Christina by calling 01629 761330 or emailing [email protected]
Peak Cluster
No significant new details have been announced, but for any members affected by the Peak Cluster pipeline route, who want to hear directly from Peak Cluster representatives about the project and haven’t done so already there is a meeting at Bidlea Dairy near Crewe on 18th June. Contact Andrew Critchlow for further details.
DPARC (Derbyshire Police Against Rural Crime)
Our next regular catch-up with senior Derbyshire police figures is on 17 June, if you want any matters raising, please make me aware of the details.
Further details about DPARC are online
You can report a rural crime online but if there is a crime occurring use 999.
Last chance to book on for the rodenticide workshop
The latest of these popular and vital events is on 2 July from 10am until 1pm at Bluebells Dairy, Locko Road, Derby, DE21 7AR (afternoon session may be available depending on uptake).
Registration closes at midday on 16 June, so make sure you're booked in.
Remember, if you want to purchase or apply rodenticide on your farm, you have to have an approved training certificate, which this course will provide you with if you pass the exam.