Farmers in Northern Ireland Eligible for Environmental Financial Support

Farmers and land managers in Northern Ireland can apply for grant support under the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme. The scheme offers funding of up to £9,500 to support environmental actions that contribute to improved biodiversity, water quality and habitat connectivity.

The Farming with Nature Package is the replacement for the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) and aims to support Northern Ireland farmers and land managers across all land types to make substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability.

Applicants must hold a Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number issued by DAERA and must not have a live Environmental Farming Scheme agreement. Eligible activities include planting new hedges and trees, establishing riparian buffer strips, retaining winter stubble and planting multi-species winter cover crops. Funding can also be used for capital items required to carry out these activities.

Work must be completed by 31 March 2026, with some exceptions requiring land management practices to be maintained until mid-February 2026. A claim window for payment submissions will run from 2 March to 31 March 2026, with payments expected to begin in summer 2026.