Woodlands
The 2nd Round of the Woodland Restoration Scheme (WRS) opened for Expressions of Interest on 16th December and will close on 2nd February 2023. The WRS provides capital works for restocking, fencing and associated operations on sites where there is Larch and up to 50% non-Larch species. Further information can be found via https://www.gov.wales/woodland-restoration-scheme-round-2-rules-booklet-html.
The next window for applications to the Woodland Creation grants opens from 13th February to 24th March 2023. This is for the Small Grants – Woodland Creation scheme, which covers small areas of tree planting under 2 hectares and also for the Woodland Creation Grant, covering larger schemes in excess of 2 hectares. For further information go to https://www.gov.wales/small-grants-woodland-creation and https://www.gov.wales/woodland-creation-grants-booklet .
Winter Update
The Welsh Government has also published its Winter Update, which can be found online at https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2022-11/agriculture-winter-update-2022.pdf. This is a 36 page document updating land managers on a variety of rural topics including scheme opening dates (see table below), the Sustainable Farming Scheme, agricultural minimum wage, EIDCymru, Farming Connect, animal health and welfare and more.
Farming Connect Boot Camp
The Farming Connect Boot Camp is a fully-funded residential course designed to give new entrants into agriculture the skills to be able to develop efficient businesses. The first session is on 18th and 19th January with the second session running from 8th -10th February 2023. More information can be found at https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/business/business-bootcamp