Application

Do you have a bright idea that could help your business and the wider Welsh Agriculture become more sustainable? 

Applications are now open for funding of up to £5,000 for farmers and growers to put towards a on-farm trial to try-out their ideas and bring them to life.

Farming Connect has developed the Try-out fund, to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.

There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture and now is a great time to explore an idea that could benefit your farm allowing you to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice on your farm.   

The application window is now open until midnight on 17/02/2025.

 

How the fund works

  • The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to 4 farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity. 
  • Suitable projects will aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with the Sustainable Land Management Outcomes. Examples can be found on the Try-Out Fund landing Page.
  • Successful projects must be implemented and completed within the timeframe noted on application and the funding from Farming Connect will not exceed £5,000 per project (excluding VAT). All projects must be completed by January 2026.
  • Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project. The participating farmers will be expected to provide items such as land, stock and also their time at no cost to the project. Funding cannot be used to fund the purchase of hardware or capital items.
  • The results will be shared with other producers in Wales through working with a dedicated member of the Farming Connect team to produce a short report and other knowledge transfer activities such as events. Final report will need to be produced in conjunction with the appointed member of the Farming Connect team on the try-out project prior to payment of final project costs.
  • Farmers and growers can apply by completing an application form which will be considered and assessed.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Fund is open to individuals or small groups of farmers and growers in Wales
  • Farm businesses must be registered with Farming Connect.
  • Note - You can register with Farming Connect by contacting the Service Centre on 03456 000 813.
  • Each business is only permitted to be involved with one project under the Try-Out Fund during the Farming Connect programme funding period.


APPLICATION PROCESS

  • Please complete the application form below.
  • Take time to familiarize yourself with the Try-Out Handbook, this will help with project design and completion of application form. 
  • Applications will be considered and assessed by an  Assessment Panel, and may be subject to an interview process.
  • Application window - 10am 27/01/2025 – midnight 17/02/2025 
  • Applicants will be notified within two weeks of application window closure if successful or not.
  • Payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of satisfactorily completed claim form and supporting documentation, invoices and receipts.

Try-Out Fund Handbook

Scoring Matrix

Declaration of interest:

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Datganiad o Ddiddordeb_Declaration of Interest Try Out Fund.docx
[.DOCX, 29.41 KB]

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information and assistance with the completion of this application form please contact - fctryout@mentera.cymru

 

INELIGIBLE COSTS (NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST)

  • Travel and subsistence costs for participating farmers
  • For longer term investments in agricultural holdings i.e. the purchase of animals, capital items
  • Working capital or any financial loss incurred as a result of participating in the project
  • Any expenditure incurred before the approved project start without prior written approval from Farming Connect
  • Any costs not directly and solely related to the execution of the project
  • Own labour and equipment costs
  • Maintenance or repair costs
  • Landscaping, ornamental work, and provision of amenities
  • Contingencies
  • Reclaimable vat
NUMBER OF FARMERS IN GROUP:
Name Farm Address BAS/CON Telephone
PROJECT LEADER DETAILS (MUST BE A FARMER):
DETAILS OF APPLICATION:
Please indicate the sector this application is intended for:
Have you read the Try-Out Fund Handbook?
Will funding be used to purchase capital items?
Please detail what will be done including project location(s), delivery timescales and key milestones. Where applicable, please include details of any non-farming businesses and/or commercial products likely to be involved in the project. Also, please set out what information/data will be recorded (including methodology), how the data will be analysed and what reporting procedures will be put in place in order to update FC on progress and for submission of the final project report.
SLM outcomes the project aligns with
SLM outcomes the project aligns with
PROJECT BUDGET:
DECLARATION:
On behalf of group
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