Expanded Farming with Nature Transition Scheme will open for applications on 30 June

The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has urged farmers across Northern Ireland to apply for Year 2 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme when it opens on 30th June. Building on the strong foundations of its first year, the expanded scheme offers a wider range of practical actions to support nature-friendly farming. Applications will be open from 30 June 2026 to the 31 July 2026.

The Farming with Nature Transition Scheme forms part of the Department's Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) and is a key Ministerial priority to support farmers to deliver an environmentally sustainable, resilient and thriving farming sector.

Minister Muir said: Protecting and restoring our natural environment is one of my top priorities. The Farming with Nature Transition Scheme helps farmers take practical, onfarm action that delivers environmental and wider societal benefits, while supporting a productive and sustainable farming system.

"I encourage all eligible farmers to apply to Farming with Nature.  This year offers an expanded range of actions suitable for all farm enterprises, including three new options that provide additional support to our vital arable sector.

Farm businesses must have a DAERA Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number to apply.

Year 2 of the Scheme builds on the success of Year 1 and has been enhanced to offer more choice and flexibility, with additional actions and improvements informed by stakeholder experience.

Key changes for Year 2 include:

• Eligibility extended to include active Environmental Farming Scheme agreement holders;
• Introduction of eight additional actions, including three new arable field margins, two herbal leys and three management actions for hedgerows, trees and 7 m riparian buffer strips established under Year 1;
• Farm businesses can apply for up to £20,000 to undertake environmental actions this year, and there is no minimum application value.

These enhancements are designed to make the scheme more accessible, practical and beneficial for businesses while continuing to deliver strong environmental outcomes.

Farm businesses that applied in Year 1 are encouraged to apply again in Year 2. Businesses that were approved for actions in Year 1 but did not complete them may reapply for those actions, alongside any additional actions available tin Year 2, provided no payment claim was submitted for the unfinished work.

As part of the wider Farming with Nature Package, the scheme plays a central role in scaling up naturefriendly farming across Northern Ireland. Information about the Farming with Nature Package can be found at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/sap-payment-schemes#toc-2.

Approval notifications for the Farming with Nature Scheme will issue via DAERA Message so applicants should check their email regularly, including junk mail. Work on Year 2 actions must not begin until an approval notification has been received.

Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and how to videos, is available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/farming-nature-package

Applications can be made via an online application, which can be accessed through: https://www2.daera-ni.gov.uk/AuthWeb/auth/login/DAERAOnlineServices/2/.

For assistance, please contact: FarmingwithNature@daera-ni.gov.uk  

Alternatively, call 0300 200 7848, select 2 for Grants and Funding, then Select 2 to speak to the Farming with Nature Team.

Further information on the Sustainable Agriculture Programme is available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/sustainable-agriculture-programme.

Notes to editors:

1. The online application service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Farming with Nature Advisory Team can be contacted for assistance in completing applications on 0300 200 7848 (Monday to Friday 9am 5pm).
2. If you need help with your online application, please do not attend your local DAERA Direct Office without an appointment. You must first contact the Farming with Nature Advisory Team on 0300 200 7848 to discuss your needs and, where appropriate, arrange a Digital Assistance appointment.
3. Registration for a DAERA online account can be completed on the DAERA website at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-online-services or call 0300 200 7848 for support to get registered.
4. If you cannot complete the online FwNT application yourself, you can nominate an Authorised Person (Agent) to do so on your behalf. Further information on how to nominate another person to complete the application on your behalf is available here https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/online-agent-nomination