Environmental Schemes & Compliance Uniquely positioned to assist clients As environmental standards and agri-environment schemes continue to evolve, The Andersons Centre provides practical, evidence-based support to help farming businesses navigate compliance requirements, unlock funding opportunities, and make informed land management decisions that enhance long-term sustainability and profitability. Environmental Assessments Environmental assessments are structured evaluations that measure the impact of farming activities on the environment. The Andersons provide understanding and an evaluation of numerous areas within these assessments. Ranging from simple habitat surveys to more detailed reports required for grants, planning applications or compliance with agri-environment schemes. At The Andersons Centre, we offer: Our service includes: Hedgerow survey: can justify trimming less frequently, improving bird life and saving time. Soil erosion risk map: can identify a few problem fields—avoiding blanket restrictions. Carbon audit: can unlock income from emerging markets or justify cover cropping decisions. It’s about better understanding the land, protecting future options, and meeting regulatory requirements in a way that aligns with your operation. Environmental assessments often highlight opportunities to reduce inputs, access funding, or add value in future diversification or land sales. Why Are Environmental Assessments Required? While some assessments are legally required, especially before changing land use or accessing public funds, many are simply good practice. They help: Secure funding from schemes like Countryside Stewardship or ELMS Demonstrate compliance with planning or nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) regulations Inform long-term decisions about soil management, hedgerows, field margins, or drainage Protect your reputation as a responsible land manager, especially under increasing public scrutiny Conservative Approach: Common-Sense Conservation Environmental assessments are not about turning working farms into nature reserves. They are about managing change sensibly, balancing productivity with long-term land value. Environmental Compliance Environmental compliance is vital in adhering to past and present regulations that can affect the efficiency and environmental impact of your business, corporation or supply chain. At The Andersons Centre, our service includes: Regulatory Compliance: assurance with main regulators, including the Environment Agency, abiding by regulations, including the Environment Act 2021, the Climate Change Act 2008, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) and Environmental Protection Act 1990. Water Pollution Compliance: managing and preventing contamination of rivers, groundwater and other watercourses from chemical inputs and manure. As well as improving irrigation efficiency practices to reduce wastewater. Wildlife & Biodiversity: managing and enhancing priority habitat and species, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. Carbon Audits: an assessment of current emissions and cost-friendly measures to reduce emissions and increase efficiency of the business, corporation or supply chain. Monitoring and Reporting: management plans involving water efficiency and drainage solutions, nutrient management plans, environmental assessments, and natural capital evaluations. It’s about better understanding the requirements of environmental compliance and incorporating it successfully within your operation. Environmental monitoring and reporting often highlight opportunities to reduce inputs, access funding, or add value in future diversification or land sales. Get in Touch If you want to improve environmental impacts, reduce costs, and stay compliant, we are here to help. Key Contacts Amy Barnacle Environmental Business Consultant Environmental Schemes & Compliance Environmental Business Consultant Amy is an Environmental Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre, specialising in environmental and biodiversity enhancement, carbon auditing and natural capital assessments. Having been involved in numerous carbon audits, assessing individual farms’ greenhouse gas emissions and conducting soil sampling representative of the farm. She has extensive experience in ecological identification, vegetation classification, habitat creation and management plans. Involving natural capital markets such as Biodiversity Net Gain and Woodland Creation. Amy comes from a farming background within the Leicestershire area and holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Land Management, as well as an MSc in Agroecology, both obtained at Harper Adams University. Having conducted her Master’s Research Project on the viability of solar farming with dual-use livestock grazing within Shropshire County. The results have been utilised within numerous agricultural academic conferences, including conferences held in Sweden. Qualifications & Experience Joined Andersons in August 2025 MSc Agroecology (Harper Adams University Graduate 2025) BSc (Hons) Environmental Land Management (2:1) (Harper Adams University Graduate 2024) Placement year within ecological consultancy, focusing on Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Landscape and Environmental Management Plans (LEMPs) and ecological surveys (bats, newts, eco walkovers) Areas of Expertise Experience in ecological identification, vegetation classification, habitat creation and management plans, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Knowledge in sustainability reporting, involving environmental, social and governance University Masters Research Project (MRP) researched the viability of solar farms with dual-use livestock grazing University Honours Research Project (HRP) conducted on the efficiency of Environmental Land Management Schemes, Biodiversity Net Gain and other Agri-Environment Schemes Alexandra Benbow Farm Business Consultant Environmental Schemes & Compliance Farm Business Consultant Alex is a Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre, with experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture. Offering business consultancy advice, budgeting, business reviews, and financial planning. Other areas of expertise include on farm diversification, Countryside Stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive, and other grant applications. She is also involved in conducting carbon audits and reporting on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Alex comes from an arable and sheep farm in Leicestershire which over the last 50 years has diversified into running a Clay Pigeon Shooting Ground, Fishing Lakes and delivering Hardwood Logs for firewood, . She holds a BSc degree in Agriculture with Farm Business Management from Harper Adams University, is a member of IAgrM and associate member of BIAC. Qualifications & Experience Joined The Andersons Centre in November 2021 BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2021 Graduate) Placement year was spent with The Andersons Centre (2018-19) MIAgrM and associate member of BIAC Continued involvement with the family farm business in Leicestershire. Farm main enterprise is arable, diversifications include a Hardwood Logs for Firewood business, Fishing Lakes and Clay Pigeon Shooting Ground Areas of Expertise Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture particularly arable sheep. Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning. Accounts analysis, business reviews and strategic planning. On-farm diversification. Countryside stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive and grant applications. Amelia Rome Farm Business Consultant Environmental Schemes & Compliance Farm Business Consultant Amelia is a Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre. She works with numerous clients across England, specialising in the arable sector. She provides services such as budgeting and cash flow monitoring, investment appraisals, borrowing proposals, contract farming agreements, grant applications, environmental scheme applications, and whole business reviews. Amelia comes from an arable family farming business in Cambridgeshire and holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Agriculture with Farm Business Management from Harper Adams University. Qualifications & Experience Joined The Andersons Centre in November 2020 BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2019 Graduate) Placement year was spent with Andersons Northern in Edinburgh Delegate at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth 27th Agricultural Conference A continued involvement with the family farm business in Cambridgeshire. The farm enterprises include combinable crops, sheep and beef Areas of Expertise Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture, but specialising in arable systems Practical knowledge of farm management Farming Joint Ventures and Contract Farming Technical Farm Business Advice Farm Strategy and Succession Planning Farm and Rural Grant Applications Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning for agricultural businesses Accounts analysis; investment appraisals; business reviews; strategic planning and enterprise costings SFI and Countryside Stewardship Advice Eager to maximise your SFI Income but unsure where to start? The Andersons Centre has some very useful tools to help you. By signing up to our SFI Package you will receive: FREE 30-minute initial discussion about your farm business and the SFI scheme. Access to FREE SFI factsheet. A follow-up, no obligation, quote for further action if required; including: Help with understanding the SFI scheme, its framework, implications and requirements. Face to face meeting and assistance in designing a SFI scheme that fits round your farming system, whilst maximising potential income. Income and costs calculation based on applicable options, tailored to your farm business. Support with SFI applications and managing existing and new agreements. Access to consultants for any further questions or queries regarding the SFI. Key Contacts Amelia Rome Farm Business Consultant Environmental Schemes & Compliance Farm Business Consultant Amelia is a Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre. She works with numerous clients across England, specialising in the arable sector. She provides services such as budgeting and cash flow monitoring, investment appraisals, borrowing proposals, contract farming agreements, grant applications, environmental scheme applications, and whole business reviews. Amelia comes from an arable family farming business in Cambridgeshire and holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Agriculture with Farm Business Management from Harper Adams University. Qualifications & Experience Joined The Andersons Centre in November 2020 BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2019 Graduate) Placement year was spent with Andersons Northern in Edinburgh Delegate at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth 27th Agricultural Conference A continued involvement with the family farm business in Cambridgeshire. The farm enterprises include combinable crops, sheep and beef Areas of Expertise Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture, but specialising in arable systems Practical knowledge of farm management Farming Joint Ventures and Contract Farming Technical Farm Business Advice Farm Strategy and Succession Planning Farm and Rural Grant Applications Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning for agricultural businesses Accounts analysis; investment appraisals; business reviews; strategic planning and enterprise costings Caroline Ingamells MRICS Senior Business Research Consultant Environmental Schemes & Compliance 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 Alexandra Benbow Farm Business Consultant Environmental Schemes & Compliance Farm Business Consultant Alex is a Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre, with experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture. Offering business consultancy advice, budgeting, business reviews, and financial planning. Other areas of expertise include on farm diversification, Countryside Stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive, and other grant applications. She is also involved in conducting carbon audits and reporting on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Alex comes from an arable and sheep farm in Leicestershire which over the last 50 years has diversified into running a Clay Pigeon Shooting Ground, Fishing Lakes and delivering Hardwood Logs for firewood, . She holds a BSc degree in Agriculture with Farm Business Management from Harper Adams University, is a member of IAgrM and associate member of BIAC. Qualifications & Experience Joined The Andersons Centre in November 2021 BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2021 Graduate) Placement year was spent with The Andersons Centre (2018-19) MIAgrM and associate member of BIAC Continued involvement with the family farm business in Leicestershire. Farm main enterprise is arable, diversifications include a Hardwood Logs for Firewood business, Fishing Lakes and Clay Pigeon Shooting Ground Areas of Expertise Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture particularly arable sheep. Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning. Accounts analysis, business reviews and strategic planning. On-farm diversification. Countryside stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive and grant applications.
