The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)

Funding for resilient nature-friendly farming

What is the Sustainable Farming Incentive?

Using Land App for your SFI application

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is a core tier of the government’s Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMs). Designed to support food production alongside environmental resilience, SFI 2026 features a streamlined list of 71 actions. To ensure funding is shared widely across the farming community, SFI 2026 agreements are capped at a maximum value of £100,000 per agreement year, and each farm business (SBI) is limited to one SFI 2026 agreement.

With our SFI Templates, users can assess current land use, understand eligibility for specific options, and design and cost SFI plans ready for application – the essential digital companion for a successful and rewarding Sustainable Farming Incentive application.

Window 2 opens on the 22nd September 2026

Build your perfect application and maximise your farm’s potential

Easily design, cost, and validate a compliant SFI 2026 plan in just a few clicks

Who should apply for SFI?

All farmers and land managers in England with “management control” and at least 3 hectares of agricultural land linked to their Single Business Identifier (SBI) are eligible. Unlike previous years, SFI 2026 applications will open in two distinct phases:

Window 1 (Opens 30 June 2026): Open for a ~2-month window specifically for two groups: small farms (up to 50 hectares) and farms without an existing ELM revenue agreement.
Window 2 (Opens September 2026): Open to all eligible farmers and land managers, regardless of farm size or pre-existing ELM agreements.

What are the benefits?

SFI is designed to support farmers and land managers to maintain or transition into sustainable management practices that ensure food production whilst benefitting the environment and wider society. Here are just some of the benefits of adopting SFI:

Financial Resilience

As a grant scheme, SFI helps to sustain the resilience of farming businesses whilst supporting rural economies and livelihoods.

Improved Soil Health

SFI encourages practices that enhance soil structure, fertility, and carbon sequestration, leading to more resilient and productive farmland.

Sustainable Food Production

Encouraging environmentally friendly farming practices ensures long-term food security and sustainability, preserving natural resources for future generations.

Improved Water Quality

Practices like reducing pesticide use and introducing watercourse buffers will help prevent run-off and maintain water quality, reducing pollution and supporting aquatic ecosystems.

Enhanced Biodiversity

By promoting wildlife-friendly farming, such as creating habitats and managing hedgerows, SFI supports greater biodiversity, protecting species and ecosystems

Climate Change Mitigation

Sequestering carbon and reducing flood risk and drought all contribute to mitigating climate change whilst becoming resilient to extreme weather events

Streamline your SFI26 application with Land App

To start your SFI26 application with Land App, follow these steps:

1. Select the SFI 2026 template

Use Land App’s updated SFI 2026 template to easily configure your land plan against the 71 newly streamlined actions and updated payment rates.

Create and update your digital maps

Using our easy to use mapping tools and array of data layers, map your present land use and understand all the relevant designations you need.

3. Create your Land Management Plan

Our SFI template hosts all the options and payment rates necessary to cost and design an SFI plan, and if using an advisor, our live collaboration features mean both parties are always up to speed.

4. Consult the government website

For questions, queries and more information that you might need, visit the government guidance page for SFI.