Support Payments & Agri-Environment Schemes Based on over 40 years’ experience in dealing with agricultural policy and rural development matters, The Andersons Centre is uniquely positioned to assist clients in ensuring that they maximise the opportunities arising from support schemes and grant funding. At the same time, we ensure that clients’ operations and practices are optimised whilst adhering to the latest regulatory requirements. We also inform clients of upcoming changes and how to prepare for them. Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) At The Andersons Centre, our consultants have been assisting clients with their annual support scheme applications since the introduction of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) in 1992. Our consultants undertake regular training events to keep them up-to-date with the latest policy and legislation changes. They understand the scheme rules and can advise clients on the best options to satisfy their greening requirements. Our consultants are proficient in using the on-line Rural Payments Service to make applications. We work closely with our clients to submit a complete Basic Payment Scheme application online, on-time and stress free. In addition, we can manage any ongoing or historic issues. Countryside Stewardship & Glastir Countryside Stewardship and Glastir are the flagship agri-environmental schemes in England and Wales respectively; both include woodland elements. At The Andersons Centre, our consultants understand the scheme requirements and will use their experience to work with clients and (Natural England) to build-up an application which is both beneficial to the client and the natural environment. Grant Scheme Applications In addition to the agri-environmental schemes, there are a number of schemes available which offer grants to increase the efficiency of the farming and forestry sectors, funds to support projects to grow the rural economy and funding through LEADER for local rural community groups to provide grants for schemes which will improve the local economy. For those considering a project, our consultants can offer clients advice as to whether there is funding available and are experienced in drawing applications for the schemes. NVZ Manager In 2015, 29.4% of all cross compliance failures were due to a breach in Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations, resulting in Basic Payment Scheme penalties. The NVZ regulations can be complicated. The Andersons Centre’s NVZ Manager takes away the stress and helps to avoid any cross compliance breaches from NVZs by ensuring that records conform to the latest requirements. The NVZ Manager uses the industry-renowned PLANET software. An NVZ Manager client receives: Slurry Storage Requirements Livestock Loading Calculations Import and Export of Organic Manure Calculations N Max Calculations N Plans Risk Maps Field Records Derogation Applications Key Contacts Caroline Ingamells MRICS Senior Business Research Consultant Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) & Agri-Environment Schemes Senior Business Research Consultant Caroline is a Senior Research Consultant at The Andersons Centre. She is a specialist adviser on agricultural policy and its implications for farmers and landowners. She helps to compile both the Agricultural Budgeting & Costing Book and the Nix Farm Management Pocketbook. In addition, she is also a key contributor to Andersons’ monthly bulletins. Caroline is involved in the family farm with her husband, which encompasses both livestock and cropping operations. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Rural Land Management and is also a Member of the Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors (MRICS). Qualifications & Experience 2008 – Present day - Farm Business Research Consultant at The Andersons Centre 1999 – 2005 - Farm Business Research Consultant at The Andersons Centre 1994 - 1999 – Shouler & Son, Chartered Surveyors, Auctioneers and Land Agents, Melton Mowbray 1996 – Associate Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 1991 – 1994 – BSc (Honours ) in Rural Land Management, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester 1990 – 1991 – Working on a mixed farm in Lincolnshire (pre-college year) Areas of Expertise Agricultural Regulation and Compliance Farm Business Tenancies & Grazing Licenses Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Agri-environment Schemes Budgeting and Costing Information Agricultural Market Analysis and Industry Forecasting CAP Reform and Policy Analysis Joe Scarratt Partner & Head of Farm Business Consultancy Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) & Agri-Environment Schemes Partner & Head of Farm Business Consultancy Joe Scarratt is a Partner and Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre. He specialises in assisting arable and mixed businesses, as well as some estates, with long term strategic business planning. Joe undertakes one-off business reviews as well as ongoing consultancy support to long term clients, focused on maximising profitability. He spends a considerable proportion of his time establishing and managing joint ventures and contract farming agreements. Qualifications & Experience 2018 to date - Head of Farm Consultancy at The Andersons Centre 2018 to date - Partner of The Andersons Centre 2009 - 2018 – Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre Delivers business advice to a wide range of farming businesses, focusing on the arable and dairy sectors Oversees the operation of a number of Contract Farming Agreements across all sectors Approved deliverer under DEFRA’s Farming Advice Service delivering group advice to farmers and agricultural professionals Approved deliverer under the Welsh Assembly’s Farming Connect Scheme, delivering advice to farmers across Wales Undertakes commissioned research projects 2005 - 2009 – Harper Adams University College. First Class BSc Hons Business Management with Marketing. The course focused upon the agri-food industry 2000 to Present – Working in and developing the family farming business. The farm is predominantly arable with a small beef enterprise Areas of Expertise Farming Joint Ventures and Contract Farming Farm Business Management Technical Farm Business Advice Farm Strategy and Succession Planning Farm Investment Appraisals and Loan Applications Farm and Rural Grant Applications Farm Business Tenancies Farm Business Administration Farming Connect (FC) accredited George Cook Senior Farm Business Consultant Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) & Agri-Environment Schemes Senior Farm Business Consultant George is a Senior farm and rural business consultant with the Andersons Centre team. He has over 35 years’ experience working with a wide range of businesses across all sectors. His approach is to bring practical reality to sometimes difficult financial and family challenges. On the more practical front he has an ongoing interest on the soil and land management topics of the businesses he deals with. Prior to joining the team, he had the benefit of 15 years of practical farming and formal training. This included manging a large estate farm in Suffolk and taking his father out of farming on the family rented farm. He is formally qualified with and HND (Ag Sc) Diploma in farm business management. He also has BASIS Facts and L6 quality of soils qualifications. He is a keen and competitive sportsman and has a team of working gundogs. Qualifications & Experience FBIAC and PIAgM BASIS L6 Quality of Soils BASIS FACTS Qualified 2015 Soil Health & Management Masters Module 2012 BASIS Certificate in Conservation Management - June 2007 BASIS qualified Soil and Water Management December 2011 1978 - present DEFRA Cereal Seed Inspector 1971 - 1975 Royl Agricultural College, Cirencester HND in Agricultural Science Diploma in Farm Management 2000 to Present - Senior Consultant in The Andersons Centre team 1993 to 2000 - Senior Consultant in Andersons’ Special Services Team 1987 - Joined Andersons’ Melton Mowbray office as a Farm Business Consultant 1975-1987 - Managing Partner 320 acre rented family farm, Surrey Assistant Farms Manager on a 2,500 acre beef and arable farm in Suffolk Farmers assistant 550 cow dairy unit, Dorset Areas of Expertise Whole Business Strategic & Detail Planning; a Practical Approach Problem Solving & Dispute Resolution Soil Health, Management, Cropping and Cultivation Strategies Investment Appraisal Practical approach to CSS and SFI Schemes Rural Plaaning Appraisals Joint Ventures and Business Tenances Kerry Jerman Farm Business Consultant Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) & Agri-Environment Schemes Farm Business Consultant Kerry has over 13 years of experience as a Farm Business Consultant for The Andersons Centre, with particular expertise in the beef and sheep sector, and Welsh Farming Policy. She specialises in strategic, financial and technical advice within her consultancy work with a wide variation of clients including small family farms as well as livestock enterprises on larger estates. This work is a mix of one-off jobs aswell as ongoing management work. She facilitates a number of Farming Connect funded discussion groups and has also done a wide range of work with benchmarking, particularly within the Welsh Beef and Sheep Industry. Outside of farm consultancy, she runs a small upland flock of 200 ewes and is also heavily involved in her family farm, comprising of 1,300 breeding ewes and 70 suckler cows. Qualifications & Experience December 2014 – BIAC Rural and Agricultural Consultants Foundation Course August 2013 to Present Day – Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre April 2013 – July 2013 - Lambing assistant and sheep worker for a local sheep and beef farmer July 2012 – April 2013 - Assistant Dairy Herdsman on 450 cow herd near Hamilton, New Zealand 2009 - 2012 – Aberystwyth University. 2:1 BSc Hons Agriculture with Business Studies. The course focused on the UK agricultural industry with business principles built in 2006 to Present– Working in the family farming business. The farm is predominantly sheep along with a small suckler herd which sells offspring as forward stores Areas of Expertise Farm Consultancy Farming Connect (FC) accredited
