The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is set to take a significant step on 22 September, when its second 2026 application window is expected to open to farmers and land managers across England. After uncertainty surrounding agricultural support, this reopening offers farming businesses an opportunity to secure environmental management support within their farm plans. 

Farmers are facing pressure from rising costs, volatile markets and increasingly unpredictable weather. The severe drought this summer has underlined how important resilience, soil health, water management and biodiversity are to food production. 

The 2026 scheme has been remodelled, with 71 available actions and an annual agreement value capped at £100,000. The September window is important because it opens the scheme to all eligible farmers and land managers. The remaining budget from the first window will also be added to the second window, adding to available funding. 

Applications will be opened up to those who have no current agreement in place who could not apply in Window 1 (those over 50 hectares) plus those who have Mid-Tier agreements ending December 2026, and those who have existing SFI agreements ending between now and the end of February 2027, meaning National uptake is likely to be very high. 

With the right preparation, SFI can help farmers strengthen their farm businesses and operations, improve the natural environment and build greater resilience for farming in the challenging years ahead. 

Contact Kivells’ Professional Team for expert advice and guidance, helping you through every stage of the SFI application process. 

Kivells Exeter: 01392 251261 

Kivells Holsworthy: 01566 776886