Yes, your land needs to be in the Teign Valley to be a member of this particular facilitation fund. Please take a look at our map of current members though - if your land is adjoining or very close to any of our members please contact us as we may be able to help you join a different fund or find another way for you to join our group.

Eligible land for the scheme includes:

• land under existing agri-environment and forestry or woodland agreements
• common land
• land that is not currently under agreement but is eligible for any agri-environment scheme

You’ll need to confirm with your landowner if the land is eligible to be included. You can still become a non-funded group member and receive training, but we will not be able to claim funds for you. Evidence of this will be requested on the Group Member form which must be completed along with the application form.

Countryside Stewardship will not pay for any environmental management that is already required through:

• payment from Exchequer funds
• grant aid from any other public body

This means that Crown bodies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) are not eligible for the scheme. This includes those that are Trading Funds and those that do not receive funds direct from the Exchequer.

Crown bodies include all government departments and their executive agencies, for example:

• Ministry of Defence
• Forestry Commission

NDPBs are public bodies that have a role in the processes of national government but are not a government department and are not part of one. These include:

• Environment Agency
• Natural England
• Historic England
• National Forest Company

Public bodies can work with a group where public land adjoins, or is connected to a group’s area, but the following restrictions will apply:

• their holdings must not be used for the group to fulfil the minimum number or area requirements for Facilitation Funds
• they will not be eligible for the £500 per member uplift

Parish councils and former college farms are not considered to be public bodies and are eligible to apply for Countryside Stewardship.

No, there is no minimum land area required to be part of the fund.

Yes, to be eligible, your land must have an SBI.

No, you don't need to be in any sort of stewardship scheme to join. If you want our help in getting you into such a scheme as a result of being a member, we are happy to help.

No, you don't have to attend all our events, but we do need you to attend a minimum of 3 per year. We have to show Defra that you are an active member of the group and are helping to meet the objectives. You can nominate another person to attend in your absence.