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Defra's Future Farm Resilience Fund (FFRF) has awarded 19 organisations a combined total of £10.7 million to support farmers and land managers with free business advice during the Agricultural Transition Period, as the UK leaves the EU.

The support is available until the end of February 2022 and any farmer or land manager currently in receipt of Basic Payment Scheme in England is eligible to apply.

Here, Will Davies, business consultant at Berrys, one of the organisations selected to deliver advice under the fund, talks through what the FFRF offers and how you can make the most of it.  

What is the Future Farm Resilience Fund? 

The fund is designed to provide business support to farmers and land managers during the early years of the agricultural transition period by enabling them to:

- Understand the changes that are happening

- Identify how, what and when businesses need to adapt their business models

- Identify how to become more innovative and productive

- Make strategic decisions.

Where can I get the free advice? 

Berrys is one of the 19 organisations delivering support that is fully funded by Defra and comes at no cost to the business.

The service being offered by each organisation will vary with some offering free webinars, for example, down to free one-to-one business advice.

Íæż½ã½ã can receive a one-to-one service to businesses located in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Leicestershire, Derbyshire.

Other providers are operating in different regions, and some nationally. You can find the list of organisations, their offer and the areas they are covering, at 

What will a one-to-one meeting entail? 

The meeting will begin with an informal discussion around the business, its history, structure and the individuals involved. Each enterprise will then be discussed in more detail before looking at the aims and aspirations of those involved in the business. It is useful to meet as many of the partners and directors of the business as possible.

In-person meetings will cover:

- Analysis of financial accounts in order to understand the historic performance of the business and its current health.

- A business report which will include:

• A discussion around the current performance of the business
• An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the business
• A discussion of proposed strategic business options. This might include a range of topics from issues relating to tenancies, diversification, succession, business structure and debt; as well as future agri-environment and other government-funded support schemes, and further opportunities in relation to natural capital and ecosystem services
• An action plan including enterprise-specific aims, recommendations, and actions.

Following the delivery of the report, each participant will then be offered up to three follow-up meetings to discuss the contents of the report, progress towards goals and provide further support.

Who is eligible to apply? 

All businesses in receipt of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England are eligible. However, businesses are only eligible for support under the FFRF from one of the 19 providers. It is, therefore, essential each business considers which of the 19 providers are offering the most suitable support.

What can I do to prepare? 

Sharing detailed information about your business (including financial accounts) is an intrusive exercise. However, the more information we can access the better insight we will have into the business and the better service we can deliver.

All information is treated in total confidence. Participants are therefore encouraged to ensure that as a minimum, the past three years of financial accounts are made available, along with as much information relating to each enterprise as possible. 

What will I get out of it? 

The review aims to provide a fresh insight into the performance of the business. This will include an understanding of its current performance beyond simply the profit and loss account, whilst providing an understanding as to the reliance of the business on the BPS.

A range of topics will then be discussed to enable the business to become more resilient whilst helping put an action plan in place to achieve this. The follow-up sessions will increase the likelihood of lasting positive change.

How do I apply? 

To apply contact the service provider you are wishing to use directly. 

Will Davies at Berrys can be contacted at [email protected] or 07469 858749.