Farming
We're working with farmers to find and share practical wildlife-friendly farming techniques.
Farming near you
Farming after Brexit
Following the decision in June 2016 for the UK to leave the European Union, major decisions will need to be made about how all governments across the UK support the environment, farming and rural development to replace the Common Agricultural Policy.
The RSPB, in partnership with leading UK conservation organisations, has called on the government to grasp the opportunity to provide more support to nature-friendly farmers and secure a better future for our countryside. We are currently working with farmers and others with expertise in food, rural development and conservation to achieve this.
Make your views heard!
Let the UK Government know, by their 8 May consultation deadline, that you want a future farming system that grows our food and improves the environment. Take five minutes to have your say today.
Advice
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Get a farmland bird survey
Find out how to get a survey of the bird-life on your farmland.
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Helping species
If you know which birds are on your farm, then you can find out what they need and how you can help them.
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Managing habitats
Advice on how to manage habitats for wildlife on your farm, from margins, banks and headlands to meadows, scrub land and buildings.
Agriculture and land-use
Our work with government helps develop agricultural policies that support the vital work that nature needs farmers to do.
Hope Farm
EU LIFE+ Farmland bird project
The EU LIFE+ Programme supported our Farmland Bird Project, enabling us to provide free bird surveys, an annual wildlife-friendly farming competition and free practical advice for farmers from specialist experts in their own area.
Find out more about the project and how it’s helped us shape the new advice and support tools we have available for farmers.
Our work with farmers was kindly sponsored by the EU LIFE+ fund between January 2010 and September 2013, safeguarding the future of our farmland birds under the EU Birds Directive.
Nature of Farming Award
Our farming blog
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Signs of the times at Hope Farm
Blog by Georgina Bray, Hope Farm Hope Farm has been a showcase of current times in agriculture this March. Skylarks and yellowhammers are singing, and lapwings displaying a sure sign that spring is here. To accompany the reassuringly repetitive chang...
Posted 26/03/2018 by Jamie Wyver -
Case study: Creating bare ground for butterflies and moths
Matterley is a 2400 acre mixed farm with 200 dairy cattle and 1100 acres of arable including wheat, barley and oilseed rape. The farm has been in Higher Level Stewardship since 2014, and forms part of the Winchester Downs Farm Cluster group. Recently...
Posted 05/03/2018 by Kathryn Smith -
Top Tips for applying to the Scottish Agri-Environment Climate Scheme
Guest blog by Anna Brand, Land Use Policy Officer, RSPB Scotland The Agri-environment Climate Scheme (or AECS) began accepting applications for its 2018 round on January 17th. The scheme compensates and/or incentivises farmers and crofters for managi...
Posted 07/02/2018 by Jamie Wyver -
The Cirl Bunting Conservation Project
Guest blog by Cirl Bunting Project Manager Cath Jeffs My first encounter with cirl buntings was as a student studying Conservation Management in the 1980s. A group of us were on a birding trip and heading to Penzance. We took a detour to Prawle Point...
Posted 29/01/2018 by Jamie Wyver
How are we doing?
We've been making changes and we'd love to know what you think.