SWARM Initiative
The South West Agricultural Resource Management (SWARM) initiative is a programme of advisory and capital support developed to help the South West region’s farmers and horticultural businesses become more efficient at using resources. This initiative aims to help make businesses more profitable and resilient whilst reducing the impact of farming on the environment.
The advice element of the initiative is delivered through two projects:
- Soils for Profit; covering soils, manures and nutrients,
- Resource Efficiency for Farms; covering energy, water, air and inorganic waste.
There is also a capital grant scheme to help fund resource improvements (up to 40% and £10,000 per holding with additional money for dairy farms) for items such as rain water capture tanks, insulation, hydraulic ram and variable speed pumps, heat recovery systems, slurry covers, slurry applicators and soil aerators.
Accessing advice and grant support
The capital grant element can only be accessed if the need is identified as appropriate by a registered adviser. This advice is free. Additional specialist advice may also be required on some farms. This element of advice can be part funded.
To register for the initial visit and free advice farmers should contact the South West Rural Enterprise Gateway (SWREG) on 0845 600 9966. SWREG can also check to see if you are eligible for capital funding through the initiative.
How can Cumulus help you?
Jonathan Brunyee and Paul Silcock are registered SWARM advisers. When you register interest with SWREG you can nominate Jonathan or Paul as your adviser and they can then undertake the free visit, prepare your action plan and discuss available grant support etc. You are advised to act quickly however as funding for this initiative is limited.
We can send you more background information directly. Alternatively, you can visit http://www.sw-ruralgateway.info/getting/resource-management-1.shtm.
