The RPA Podcast

In today’s podcast, we discuss the opening of the claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship revenue and Environmental Stewardship agreements, delinked payments, RPA’s shows and events schedule and the new round of Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Grants. We also have an interview with Marie Hardeman, RPA’s Customer Director, who talks about her year into the role and improvements in Customer Services. Item 1:Gregg Bulman a Countryside Stewardship Processing manager, runs us ...

Item 1:· Danielle Bragg, from the RPA Grants Service Team, runs us through all the grants available to farmers, under the Farming Investment Fund.· The Farming Investment Fund offers funding for equipment, technology, and infrastructure that improves farm productivity and benefits the environment. This fund provides grants to farmers, foresters, and growers so that they can invest in the things they need to improve productivity and enhance the natural environment. ·&nb...

Welcome to the seventh episode of The RPA Podcast.In our latest episode, we dive into some of the questions and feedback we’ve received at the RPA from those applying to the 2023 offer of the Sustainable Farming Incentive. After opening to applications in August, we received a number of technical and general questions, both from farmers in the process of applying and those considering doing so. Speaking to our expert in the RPA Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Delivery team, Stephen V...

Welcome to the sixth episode of The RPA Podcast.In our latest episode, Ali Johnson, RPA’s Engagement and Operational Readiness Director, discusses the 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentive and highlights the greater flexibility available in SFI23. We also discuss the roll out date, application process and transition from other schemes.Later in the episode, Anne-Marie Rafter, from RPA’s Geospatial Services, talks us through how to update land details and why it is essential to do so as soon...

Welcome to the fifth episode of The RPA Podcast.In our latest episode, the RPA’s Chief Executive, Paul Caldwell, speaks to Andrew Hawnt, from the RPA’s Internal Communications team, about his reflections of 2022 and ambitions for the year ahead. Faye Slade, from the RPA’s Countryside Stewardship Agricultural Transition team, talks us through the recent Countryside Stewardship updates and gives us the latest information. This includes January’s Capital Payments announcements and the open...

Welcome to the fourth episode of The RPA Podcast.In our latest episode, Richard Anderson, who leads the Field Officer teams at the RPA, talks about the RPA’s more collaborative approach to inspections and visits, and the improvements we can expect to see in the coming months. Richard highlights how his team will support farmers by offering greater levels of advice, guidance and signposting to help improve compliance with standards and scheme requirements.We also take some time to understand t...

Welcome to the third episode of The RPA Podcast.In our latest episode, Daneka Rodgers, Senior Business Analyst at the RPA, explains why it’s crucial to keep your personal information up to date in the Rural Payments Service and offers some great tips on how to update your details. Daneka also talks us through the importance of ‘setting permissions’ in the Rural Payments Service, and highlights what this means for your business.We’re in the peak season for agricultural shows, so we also ...

Welcome to the second episode of The RPA Podcast.In this episode, Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot Delivery Manager, Alex Hills, talks about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot scheme, and the important findings that have already been applied to the SFI live service that’s due to launch later this year. We also explore the Countryside Stewardship applications window with Rozanne Kidd, Agricultural Transition Director at the RPA. Rozanne focuses on the improvements made to th...

Welcome to the Rural Payments Agency’s first ever podcast! During 2022 we’ll be bringing you a series of podcasts to help farmers, landowners and rural communities keep up-to-date on developments at the RPA, offer support and guidance, and navigate agricultural transition. In today’s episode, we reflect on 2021 with Customer Director Sandy Kapila and look forward to what’s coming up in 2022 with Senior Stakeholder Manager Katie Yon. Later in the programme, we also have a special feature on we...