Farming in designated Landscapes
Ffermio Bro is a Welsh Government programme running until March 2028 that will bring farmers and landowners together to create positive environmental change across our most treasured landscapes. Operating within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, we’re building resilient ecosystems while supporting sustainable farming practices.
Ffermio Bro is a collaborative programme funding activities spanning multiple farms to create landscape-scale impact.
Programme Objectives
Working together, we aim to:
- Enhance farm business sustainability and resilience
- Support nature recovery and ecosystem resilience
- Deliver activities spanning multiple farms to achieve common environmental goals
- Create opportunities for public engagement with our landscapes and cultural heritage
Our Focus Areas
Through targeted collaboration and expert support, we focus on:
- Traditional Boundaries: Restoring historic features like stone walls and hedgerows and creating wildlife corridors
- Fresh Water Management: Enhancing catchment resilience, water quality, and creating wetland habitats
- Commons Protection: Preserving priority habitats and implementing wildfire prevention strategies
- Species Conservation: Protecting key species through targeted habitat management
- Regenerative Farming: Supporting practices that improve soil health and biodiversity
Eligible Activities
The programme funds a wide range of activities across the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Land Management (SLM) objectives, including:
- Low density targeted tree planting and woodland restoration which could include planting steep banks, field corners and creating wood pasture.
- Natural regeneration.
- Hedgerow creation and restoration through hedgelaying, coppicing and gapping up.
- Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) removal and eradication.
- Natural flood risk management (NFRM) interventions
- Wetland and riparian habitat enhancement and ponds creation and restoration.
- Traditional boundary restoration projects
- Woodland restoration including dry stone walls and earth banks.
- Restoring traditional hay meadows, and creating wild bird, wildlife and pollinator strips and plots.
- Improving access to the countryside through upgrading/enhancing public paths, open access land and green spaces.
- Targeted measures to support the recovery of the wildlife species and habitats.
- Targeted measures to improve water quality such as stock control.
These are examples only and not a comprehensive list.
Funding Application Process
Farmers and landowners within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape will apply directly for the funding to the National Landscape, and the Ffermio Bro team as well as the Local Assessment Panel will award funding for activities that reflect local needs. The Ffermio Bro team includes specialist Advisors who will work with farmers and landowners to develop applications and support applicants through the process.
Ffermio Bro forms part of the preparatory stage of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and will inform development of the collaborative layer.
To apply for funding:
- Complete an Expression of Interest Form (EOI)
- The first funding window will close on Friday the 30th August 2025
- Applications after this date will be considered in subsequent EOI windows.
What Happens next ?
- After receiving the EOI the team will contact you to discuss your Project and work with you to complete a full Application.
- Following the EOI closing date, applications will be scored and assessed by the Ffermio Bro Team (Under £10,000) or the Assessment Panel (Larger than £10,000)
- Following Assessment Grant Offers will be made for work to be completed before the end of the February 2026.
Key Benefits of Joining Ffermio Bro:
- Access to guidance and support
- Funding for environmental improvements
- Networking with other land managers
- Contribution to landscape-scale environmental change
For more information or to start your application, contact our Ffermio Bro team at Dafydd.Roberts@denbighshire.gov.uk or Dafydd Roberts on 07887 822051
For more information on the scheme please follow the link below