Guides
Plain answers to the questions farmers actually ask about the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
What is the Sustainable Farming Incentive?
A plain-English answer to what SFI is and how it works.
Updated 2026-08-31
How much is SFI worth per hectare?
SFI26 payment rates range from £4 to £1,920 depending on the action.
Updated 2026-08-31
Am I eligible for SFI?
SFI26 requires at least 3 hectares of agricultural land in England.
Updated 2026-08-31
Which SFI actions can I do on grassland?
An overview of the SFI26 grassland action category.
Updated 2026-08-31
Which SFI actions can I do on arable land?
An overview of the SFI26 arable and horticultural action category.
Updated 2026-08-31
When does the next SFI application window open?
SFI26 Window 1 closed 28 August 2026; Window 2 opens September 2026.
Updated 2026-08-31
What changed in SFI26?
SFI26 cut some rates, removed management payments, and added new actions.
Updated 2026-08-31
Can I combine SFI with Countryside Stewardship?
Some CS agreements and SFI actions can run alongside each other.
Updated 2026-08-31
Do I need a land agent to apply for SFI?
No — but SFI26's 71 actions make working it out alone genuinely hard.
Updated 2026-08-31