The Sheep and Trees Initiative
The Sheep and Trees initiative is aimed at helping land managers identify the many opportunities woodland creation can bring to support and develop their existing farm enterprises. The initiative is supported by us and:
- Scottish Government's Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
- National Farmers Union Scotland
- National Sheep Association
The benefits of new woodland
New woodland planted with clear objectives, designed well and carefully located within hill and upland sheep farms can bring many benefits to your business. It can:
- provide important shelter and extend outwintering periods
- help provide more manageable grazing units
- improve farm business productivity particularly on poorer quality land
- keep the same flock size while introducing trees as a new crop
- significantly improve on-farm access through use of well-planned forest access roads
- help to reduce farming costs and maintain income leading to improved net income
- grow into a valuable capital asset, source of timber and future income stream
What funding is available?
The Sheep and Trees Forestry Grant Package brings together 2 different elements of the Forestry Grant Scheme: it enables you to apply for a woodland creation grant and a forest infrastructure grant for the same area at the same time. This means you'll be able to build access routes to help you get started and then manage your new farm woodland as it grows. It creates an excellent opportunity for you to diversify your business and bring previously unconsidered parts of your farmland into production.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, you must be farming a significant part of your farm while planting between 10 and 50 hectares of productive conifer.
Please note, the package supports integration of land use.
How do I apply?
Visit Rural Payments and Services and select 'Woodland Creation' and 'Forest Infrastructure' in the table of categories.