Farming in Protected Landscapes is extended

The North Pennines AONB Partnership is looking for farmers, landowners and land managers who would like to apply for grant funding for projects for nature, people, climate and place The Defra-funded Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has been extended and now runs until March 2025. The AONB Partnership is hoping to work with farmers with creative and innovative ideas for one-off projects that meet the criteria of the scheme.

In the North Pennines AONB there have been over 120 successful applications. In the Cumbria area of the AONB (including the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme) the programme has funded:

• many kilometres of hedging
• improved public access, including payments for permissive access
• faecal egg count technology and analysis package for a collaborative group of farmers
• educational visits and facilities to support such visits
• support and advice towards regenerative grazing (including infrastructure such as mobile water troughs)
• watercourse protection and enhancement, including river re-wiggling

Cat Kilner and Meg Bamford are the Farming in Protected Landscapes Officers at the North Pennines AONB Partnership.

Cat said: “We’re looking for projects that are innovative but can’t be funded by other means. Every farm has potential to boost their natural assets while enhancing their business. Even if you are not sure where to start, we may be able to help.

“The programme isn’t an agri-environment scheme and can be used alongside these. Projects are designed and delivered by land managers to make sure they achieve their own outcomes.”

At the North Pennines AONB Partnership applications can be received at any time. Guidance is available on the website about what sort of projects are eligible. The team can help you to develop your project and guide you through the simple application process.

Meg said: “It’s really positive that the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has been extended by Defra and it’s good news for farmers and land managers in AONBs and National Parks across England and Wales. We’d like to be able to support as many farmers as possible to access the funding, and we’re really keen to hear about creative ideas to diversify and benefit farm businesses, while also benefitting nature and climate, and the people and communities in and on the fringes of the AONB.”

More information can be found at northpennines.org.uk and you can contact Meg Bamford or Cat Kilner on FiPL@Northpenninesaonb.org.uk or 01388 528801