Grant Funding
There is grant funding available to support deer management (available under Countryside Stewardship), and capital expenditure for highseats, deer fencing and processing facilities (available under Countryside Stewardship and Farming in Protected Landscapes).
Farming in Protected Landscapes
The Deer Consultancy have had success in obtaining grant funding through Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) to support a variety of clients deer management activities including high seats. The grant funding is applicable to a wider variety of deer management activities including training, processing facilities, carcass storage, transport and disposal. Funding is available up to 100% depending on how the project delivers upon the requirements of the AONB.
Countryside Stewardship
Options are available under Countryside Stewardship (CSS) for deer fencing, £7.20 per meter is payable. Whilst this is unlikely to fund the entirety of a fencing project it can cover a large portion of the upfront cost.
There are also funding options for high seats which will pay £300 per unit, there are certain manufacturers who produce a double, freestanding galvanised high seat specifically for this grant.
Farming Investment Fund – Adding Value
The newest grant launched under the Farming Investment Fund offers to 40% funding for eligible project costs for adding value for processing agricultural products including venison.
The funding is for projects at a level of £25,000 - £300,000. This could provide grant funding for equipment, buildings, larders, farm shops etc. and allow a business to add value to their venison produce on site and sell to existing consumers.