The Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme 2026 opens today for some

Herbal leys are still available as part of SFI 2026, but at a lower payment rate.

Today, Tuesday 30th June 2026, marks the re-opening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Scheme, but not for all quite yet.

Window 1:

The SFI scheme for 2026 will open across two windows. The first window, which is now open, allows those farm businesses that are either not in a current Environmental Stewardship scheme or those who are classed as small farmers to apply. Small farmers are defined as those who farm less than 50ha for the purposes of this scheme.

This first window is set to be open for two months, until the end of August, unless the budget of 60 million runs out before that point. Any business looking to apply here must have been registered with the RPA prior to 1st January this year.

Window 2:

A second application window is then due to open in September this year for any other business looking to apply. This will be open either until the end of March 2027 or until the budget of 180 million is spent .

Existing Agreement Holders:

We have now been told that it is likely that those with expiring agreements will be able to apply for a new SFI 2026 agreement prior to the end date of their current agreement. We have not been told how this will work to date, but will keep you informed as we hear.

How has the SFI Scheme changed:

The scheme has been streamlined, both in the number of options that are available and the payments that will be available to new applicants. The number of options has been reduced from 102 to 71 and a number of payment rates have been reduced. The management payment that was available in previous rounds has also been removed.

What are the available options:

There are still a good number of options available to suit every farm. Some of the most popular options include:

• CHRW2: Manage hedgerows - GOV.UK

• CNUM2: Legumes on improved grassland - GOV.UK

• CSAM3: Herbal leys (updated for SFI26) - GOV.UK

• CIPM2: Flower-rich grass margins, blocks or in-field strips (updated for SFI26) - GOV.UK

• HEF1: Maintain weatherproof traditional farm or forestry buildings - GOV.UK

• CAHL3: Grassy field corners or blocks (updated for SFI26) - GOV.UK

Each link above will take you to the option prescription page which sets out what you will need to do to implement the option and the payment rates here. A full list of the options available can be found at:

Find funding for land or farms - GOV.UK

What to be aware of before you apply:

Just a few tips to think about before you start to prepare an application:

• These agreements are non-transferable and therefore it is important to ensure you will have a minimum of three years of certainty of occupation before you apply.

• Rotational options can no longer be increased in area year on year. The area you apply for on the application form is the maximum area that can be paid across the three years of the agreement.

• There is a new agreement cap of £100,000 per year per agreement. This only applies to the 2026 applications.

• You can only apply for one agreement in the 2026 window. This needs careful thought if you have an expiring agreement later in the year.

• Think carefully about how a scheme can work with your farming principles.

Do get in touch if you would like some advice or help with putting together an application here.

Gemma - 07533340847

gemma@blackdownconsulting.co.uk