CSF overview
The CSF (Catchment Sensitive Farming) programme – a partnership between Defra, Natural England, and the Environment Agency – aims to provide free one-to-one advice to farmers to help them reduce water and air pollution. Visit: GOV.UK | Catchment Sensitive Farming: advice for farmers and land managers.
In 2021, the government committed additional funding to CSF as part of Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme. The funding enabled its expansion across the whole of England by April 2023 and included:
- Targeted farm advice programme across all agricultural areas of England to improve water and air quality.
- Advice on natural flood management.
- Provide support for farmers and growers with the Agricultural Transition including the new environmental land management schemes.
CSF operates to support sustainable farming practices, to improve environmental outcomes, and contribute to nature recovery and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from farming. It also provides free advice to help deliver the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan.
Current support
Following the closure of the 2025 capital grant offer, CSF advisers have been working with farmers and land managers to prepare for the 2026 round.
A high number of support visits have been completed, which will enable people to apply for the 24 items that require support when the window opens.
CSF advice has been very popular over this period, so advisers are now prioritising advice and support visits already requested to help prepare for the 2026 round.
CSF area teams will not be able to prioritise any new requests for advisory visits for this round but will be able to offer advisory visits later this year. They will get in touch when they have capacity to help. In the meantime, you can register for one of their free events.
You must have CSF support in place for the 24 items listed below before the offer opens in July. If you have received CSF support in the past two years for these items, you can use this support when you apply.
- AQ1: Automatic slurry scraper
- AQ2: Low ammonia emission flooring for livestock buildings
- RP4: Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks
- RP13: Yard – underground drainage pipework
- RP14: Yard inspection pit
- RP15: Concrete yard renewal
- RP17: Storage tanks underground
- RP18: Above ground tanks
- RP19: First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters
- RP20: Relocation of sheep dips and pens
- RP21: Relocation of sheep pens only
- RP22: Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps
- RP23: Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep)
- RP24: Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area
- RP25: Lined biobed with existing washdown area
- RP27: Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area
- RP28: Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores)
- RP29: Self-supporting covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores
- RP30: Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons
- RP31: Equipment to disrupt tramlines in arable areas
- RP32: Small leaky woody dams
- RP33: Large leaky woody dams
- TE4: Supply and plant a tree
- TE5: Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters
How does CSF support farm businesses?
Advisers work with farmers to produce food in a way which protects water, air and soil; minimising losses and maximising efficiencies.
Locally based, advisers are equipped with an understanding of the challenges farmers face. They will work alongside the farmer to take the latest advice and information and tailor it to best benefit the farm business.
Get advice
CSF provides locally informed, confidential on-farm advice to help farmers make confident decisions on:
- Soil management.
- Nutrient, slurry, and manure management.
- Ammonia emission reduction.
- Farm infrastructure and machinery set-up.
- Pesticide handling.
- Water resources and natural flood management.
- Local environmental priorities.
- Land management.
- Agricultural transition, including grants.
What makes CSF advice different?
- Impartial advice so you can take positive actions.
- ‘Win-wins’ for the environment and your business.
- Free, government-funded advice and training across England.
What grants and schemes will support be provided for?
As part of the support the government will offer to farmers, CSF will provide advice and guidance on Agricultural Transition schemes and grants, where they contribute to CSF objectives. These will be introduced over time and include:
- Countryside Stewardship
- Slurry Infrastructure Grants
- The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund
- The Environmental Land Management schemes, comprising:
- SFI
- Countryside Stewardship
- Landscape Recovery
