LANDOWNERS and farmers across Northern Ireland are being reminded that the Forestry Expansion Scheme grants have been announced and there’s only seven weeks left to get applications in.
Carolyn Trimble, owner of the woodland consultancy IndiWoods, says time is of the essence for anyone with a minimum of five hectares of land who would like to take advantage of the grants.
The grant is up to 100 per cent funded and attracts an annual income of up to £425 for 10 years and can be in addition to Single Farm Payments.
The deadline for 2017 is September 29 so landowners need to act fast in order to get applications in.
Speaking about the grants, Carolyn said: “To date IndiWoods has planted one million trees in Northern Ireland which is a phenomenal achievement. If landowners and farmers did not participate this success would not have been achieved. This is a significant milestone for us but there’s another million trees to be planted.
“Northern Ireland has such rural appeal and with so many country estates, large farms and small holdings, this is a win win scheme for anyone with five hectares or more.”
Carolyn, who lives with her family in Co Armagh, added: “Environmentally, this scheme allows farmers and landowners to plant trees which creates new habitats, stores carbon, makes better use of land which is not easy to farm and improves our countryside visually.
“Not only that but trees can also reduce the negative impact of flooding by absorbing water, attract bees for pollination and also encourages health and wellbeing benefits as people use their woodlands then for a variety of uses including outdoor yoga, camping or walking and cycling trails. This is great for local tourism.”
Landowners and farmers who are successful with their applications will find out in October and tree planting will take place from November through to the end of May 2018.
Carolyn said: “I have been working with farmers and landowners in Northern Ireland for 13 years now and IndiWoods is getting more and more interest from people who want to put their land to better use. We do all of the hard work for our landowners so they can just reap the rewards of having a beautiful native woodland.”
Carolyn will be at the Rare Breed Show in Gosford, Co Armagh, on September 2 as part of the celebrations of the one million trees planted in Northern Ireland.
ENDS:
Notes To Editor:
- IndiWoods is a woodland consultancy specialising in securing government funding for farmers and landowners who wish to plant trees on their land.
- For further information contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR Ltd on 028 3756 9569 | 07709805379