Environment charities offer support for farmers to future-proof with trees amid SFI pause

Farmers should not let the pause in the Sustainable Farming Incentives stop them future proofing their farms with trees, according to the charities behind the upcoming Agroforestry Show .

The Woodland Trust and Soil Association are urging farmers to get empowered and spark a farmer-led tree revolution using experiences from other farmers, particularly as there are positive signals from government with Capital Grants for agroforestry reopening.
 
The charities have published new advice on the payment options that remain available to farmers alongside tree-planting fact sheets on the  Agroforestry Show website , where tickets for the September event are now on sale.
 
These resources provide information on how farmers can get started on benefiting from trees, which the evidence shows can protect food security by providing essential shade and shelter for livestock and crops amid increasingly extreme weather patterns.
 
The advice issued this week gives a taster of the knowledge exchange that will be available at the Agroforestry Show, which will feature inspiring speakers and in-depth discussions, live demonstrations, 121 advice sessions, and practical training. There will also be farm walks showcasing agroforestry in action, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities.
 
Taking place at organic Woodoaks Farm in Hertfordshire from 10-11 September, the show aims to give farmers the skills, contacts and confidence to adopt or grow their agroforestry practices.
 
Helen Chesshire, Lead Farming Advocate at the Woodland Trust, said: “Farmers are on the front line of a changing climate and need practical solutions now. With more than a decade of experience of helping nearly 300 farmers establish agroforestry, we know that trees on farms will create resilient landscapes, enhancing livestock and crop performance. We also know that every farm business is different so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to tree planting. For arable farmers, it could be buffer strips for flood management; for livestock producers, it might be shelterbelts for shade and browse. Having suffered the driest spring for 50 years and the warmest on record, browse from hedges and trees will be critical for many farmers where grass growth has stalled. Agroforestry also offers opportunities to diversify into new markets, be that fruit, nuts or timber, and to plant up unproductive land for wildlife.  
 
“While government funding remains under review, we encourage farmers to get empowered and plan how to implement trees on their farms. From hands-on workshops to farm walks, live demonstrations, and expert talks, you'll discover practical solutions and cutting-edge ideas at the Agroforestry Show. This unique event offers everything you need to implement a long-term solution for your farming business.”
 
 * Soil Association Head of Agroforestry Ben Raskin *  has helped to design the agroforestry project that is underway at Woodoaks Farm, which will host the 2025 show. While most of the farm’s work with trees and woodland has been supported through government funding and crowdfunding, they have also planted trees and fencing for shelter belts using alternative funding streams via the Woodland Trust and show sponsors Sainsbury’s and Lloyds Banking Group.  
 
Ben said: “While the government reforms its SFI offer, farmers can still lead a tree revolution across the UK and future proof their farms. We all know we need more trees to cut carbon and save wildlife, but there are also long-term productivity benefits that mean agroforestry makes business sense. All farmers have trees on their farm and most could be making better use of those or adding to them to benefit their system. We urge the farming community to use our advice, come to the Agroforestry Show and ultimately learn from each other on how to find the right funding options and techniques to protect British food production and nature.”  
 
 * Emily Norton is Chair of AHDB and renowned commentator and strategic advisor on rural affairs with over 25 years of lived farming experience * . She will be a panellist for the show’s Question Time, which is being hosted by Farmers Weekly.  
 
She said: “As a farmer I am always looking for solutions to help ensure my business can adapt to a changing climate, volatile markets, and new government policies. I want to build resilience so my farm can continue to produce food whilst restoring my natural capital. One solution I’m keen to explore further is agroforestry. The theory is that integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems can support commercial farming and production, through providing shading and shelter, and a wider range of products, such as nuts, fruits and timber, which are all products UK currently imports at high levels. This reduces risk and improves overall productivity per hectare. The environmental benefits are worth considering too, if it can mitigate air and water pollution, 'slow the flow' and the impacts of flooding, connect and create habitats, plus of course sequester carbon. I’m really excited to put these theories to the test at the Agroforestry Show, learning first-hand from other farmers how best to integrate more trees onto my farm.”
The Agroforestry Show 2025 is supported by Sainsburys and Lloyds Banking Group.  
 
For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.agroforestryshow.com/tickets