Resource management

South West Agricultural Resource Management Initiative (SWARM) offers practical help and funding so that farmers can manage their resources in the best way possible and so improve their profitability and help the environment.

Farmers and growers can get expert advice through the Initiative on managing resources, and that could lead to funding towards the cost of putting the adviser's recommendations into practice. The initiative covers two areas as below.

Soils for Profit (S4P)

S4P includes soils, manures and nutrients, and is delivered by Natural England and the Environment Agency. This programme provides expert advice, workshops, feasibility studies, demonstrations and training. For more information please see Soils for Profit on the Natural England website.

Resource Efficiency for Farms (R4F)

R4F looks at energy, water and inorganic waste such as farm plastics, and is delivered by Business Link. Support through this programme includes on-farm tailored advice with in-depth technical assistance.

Initial stages for applicants

REG will arrange for an adviser to visit the farm, and prepare a Farm action plan which will include information on resource use. It will also contain recommendations which, if put into practice, would bring about the greatest gains in resource efficiency.

Some of these recommendations may be eligible for support through the SWARM small grants scheme, which offers grants of up to £10,000* towards the cost of items identified in the ARM Farm Action Plan.

*In the short term, due to extra funding from Europe targeted specifically at the dairy sector, the maximum grant for dairy farmers is £20,000.

More details about the initiative and information on eligible capital items is available in the SWARM Farmer's Guide which can be downloaded here. 

The SWARM application form is also available to download here, but please note that any application must be accompanied by a completed ARM Farm Action Plan, because grants will only be made towards eligible items identified in the Plan.

If you want to find out more, or to take part in the initiative, contact the Business Link's Rural Enterprise Gateway (REG) on 0845 600 9966.