7th July 2026
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds has announced that, for the first time, farmers and land managers will have a direct channel to apply for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT), providing businesses with funding to simultaneously restore nature and produce food.
In a speech at Groundswell Festival 2026, the environment secretary said farmers and land managers would be allowed to apply for woodland agreements, agroforestry agreements and new single-focus agreements to restore species-rich grassland, with an initial cohort of up to 1,200 single-focus agreements available.
When CSHT launched last September, farmers and land managers were only permitted to apply if invited by Natural England or the Forestry Commission as part of a phased rollout.
From later this summer, restrictions will be lifted, giving farmers and land managers the opportunity to begin the application process by submitting an Expression of Interest.
The government explained that the changes build on its commitment to make environmental schemes more accessible and to deliver the Farming Roadmap by giving farmers easier-to-navigate routes to support whilst continuing to emphasise funding that can deliver environmental benefits.
This announcement has followed the reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), intended to be simpler, fairer and more accessible than ever before.
READ MORE: Half of SFI Window 1 budget allocated within three days of opening
“Creating a richer, greener countryside”
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds said: “Every thriving meadow restored, every historic landscape protected and every woodland managed more sustainably starts with farmers and land managers who care deeply.
“The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier will be simpler and easier for more applicants to access, giving more farmers and land managers the opportunity to invest in their businesses while helping to create a richer, greener countryside for future generations.”
Reflecting on Emma Reynolds’ speech at Groundswell, Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), said: “Farmers are on the front line of climate change and need ambitious government investment to help them transition to nature-friendly farming and build resilience. Opening higher-tier agreements to more farmers is a positive step that will help deliver more for nature, climate and sustainable food production.
“Public money should support public goods, backing farmers to deliver the environmental outcomes and long-term resilience that our landscapes need and that underpin food security. Building on today’s announcement, ministers must ensure investment is targeted where it will have the greatest impact for nature, climate and farm businesses.”
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