COMING SOON
Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026
Catch up with the latest information so you don't miss out!
A YEAR OF CHANGE
The New SFI 2026 Offer
The government has confirmed a significant reset of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for 2026, following widespread concern over complexity, fairness, and the abrupt closure of schemes last year.
SFI 2026 is intended to be simpler, fairer, and more predictable. The aim is to give farmers clearer rules, clearer timelines, and the ability to plan with confidence, while keeping food production at the centre of the system.
This marks a shift away from uncertainty and last-minute decision making. Prepared farms, with clear plans and good evidence, will be best placed to benefit from what comes next.
SFI 2026
The Key Changes Farmers Need to Know
A simpler, more focused, SFI offer
The current SFI includes 102 actions, but 90% of funding is concentrated in fewer than 40. For 2026, the scheme will be streamlined, with; fewer actions, reduced administrative complexity, easier applications.
New limits, new rates
The government was explicit that SFI must work alongside food production, not replace it. This will include; Limits on how much land can be entered into certain non-productive actions and a review of payment rates where actions disproportionately absorb funding.
Fairer access to funding
Currently, 25% of SFI funding goes to just 4% of farms. To address this, DEFRA is considering implementing an agreement value cap to spread funding more evenly and duel the number of farms delivering environmental outcomes.
Separate application windows
June 2026
Application window for smaller farms and those without an existing ELM agreement. This is designed to give first access to businesses that have previously been squeezed out.
September 2026
Application window opens to all farms. By this point, early applicants will already be in, and preparation will matter.
WHAT'S BEEN SAID
What the DEFRA secretary has said
"The SFI scheme became too complex. The unexpected closure last year damaged trust and confidence."
WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED
Full Scheme Details to be Published in Advance
The government has committed to publish full scheme rules and payment rates before applications open and we will keep you updated with the latest news.
Budgets will be set and published for each application window with regular updates when funding is nearing capacity to avoid sudden closures.
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS
Watch the Latest Announcements Below
Two application windows
June for small farms and those without agreements. September for ALL farms.
Watch video
Certainty and Transparency
Mistakes were made in the past, we will provide regular updates so there will be no more sudden unexpected closures.
Watch videoBE PREPARED
Make Sure You're Ready to Apply
01
Know when to apply
Identify which application window applies to you. June for small farms and those without existing agreements. September for all farms.
02
Get everything ready
Map out your farm, upload your existing agreements, and be ready to react when the scheme opens.
03
Don't miss out
Use the JustFarm planning tools to help you prepare for SFI 2026 and submit your application as soon as the scheme opens.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Frequently Asked Questions
James, our Founder, has the opportunity to ask Emma Reynolds precisely that... it was indicated this may set at 50ha but the PRA will confirm closer to the time.
There was a suggestion that the most popular actions from SFI 2024 would be refreshed for 2026. So get familiar with the top actions to see what they would involve (we're guessing they won't change much), so you can respond quickly when the scheme opens.
You can see the most popular options here:
https://justfarm.app/explore-sfi-countryside-stewardship-data/
And the action details here:
https://justfarm.app/subsidy-library/
Currently there has been no confirmation of when the scheme details will be released, only the they will be available before the scheme opens in June.
HERE! We'll be publishing updates as soon as details become available. Create a free account, or sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don't miss out.
SEE WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO
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