Will Hyde and Steph Emmerson have had success in achieving funding through Local Action Groups as part of the LEADER scheme, LEADER would support many of the projects mentioned above.
Steph has been working on a number of grant applications and had her first one successfully passed this month. Increasing farm productivity is a key area under LEADER and projects that support increasing the performance and sustainability of an agricultural business, investment to improve animal health and welfare and project that increase job creation within the local community are projects that are looked upon favourably.  Her recent successful application was for a cluster flush system, but other farm productivity projects that may be supported include mobile handling systems, slurry management equipment such as trailing shoe or dribble bars, robotic milking systems, automatic footbaths, LED lighting, and EID readers.

Two years ago one of our clients started a farm diversification business involving the hiring of large tipi tents for functions such as weddings and parties, a strong market demand led to them wanting to expand and Will has recently secured grant aid on £45,000 worth of investment.  To get the grant we had to prove that the diversification was currently viable and contributed to the farm’s financial performance; that there was a strong market need for the additional tipis and finally that it had longer term prospects and continued to perform. The tipi expansion satisfied the needs of the LEADER scheme, it supported two of the scheme’s priorities, increasing farm productivity and supporting micro, small businesses and farm diversifications.  A comparison to tipis would be the conversion of redundant buildings to function rooms or converting to holiday accommodation, LEADER funding will support capital works and larger purchases but cannot support the furnishing of buildings or any professional fees.

Support is available for both farming and diversification investment, so should you wish to discuss a potential project then please do not hesitate to contact Will or Steph at williamhyde@fcgagric.com or stephemmerson@fcgagric.com