Environmental Funding Opportunities for Vineyard Businesses

Sustainable Farming Incentive

Defra has recently announced the impending release of new application windows for the Sustainable Farming Incentive, (SFI) to offer grant funding to horticultural and agricultural businesses for the deliverance of environmental benefit.

The preliminary round opens in June (for businesses of under 50ha), before expanding to larger businesses in September. This presents a great opportunity for horticultural businesses to be the first to engage with the new scheme, which will now see payments capped at £100,000 per business and some options capped at 25% of the total eligible land area.

Key Options for Vineyard Businesses Include

CIPM2: Flower rich grass margins, (£798/ha), CAHL1: Pollen and nectar mix, (£739/ha), or CSAM2, (£129/ha), all of which could be grown between the vines to promote pollinators and help to reduce frost risk.

For land surrounding vines, options such as AHL2: winter bird food, (£648/ha), AHL3: grass field corners, (£590/ha), may offer financially rewarding alternatives. The new scheme also offers particularly attractive options for those running or converting to organic systems, including OFM5: organic land management, (£707/ha) and several options for organic conversion.

Farming Equipment & Technology Fund, (FETF)

In terms of investment in infrastructure, the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund, (FETF) is set to re-open on 17th of March, 2026, with the full list of items available shown at: Productivity items and specifications – Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2026 – GOV.UK.

Items of note include tractor mounted flail mulchers, drones for applying horticultural chemicals, intra row weeders and UV-C light treatments for mildew, all of which receive a percentage of fundings towards the cost of the items.

Capital Grants

Set to be re-opened in July 2026, the list of items available under Capital Grants is yet to be released. However, previous items include: funding for concrete yard renewals, hardcore tracks, fencing and hedgerow planting, as well as other items of interest to vineyards.

For more information on grant schemes and how to apply, please contact Beth Speakman or Louise Penn.