Free advice · Northern Ireland
CAFRE Business Sustainability Groups
Enterprise-specific farmer groups led by a CAFRE adviser, with benchmarking, analytical testing and one-to-one support on economic and environmental sustainability.
- From
- CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise), part of DAERA
- How much
- Members who attend at least three of the five meetings a year qualify for a Learner Support payment; host farms get a hosting payment. Amounts not stated on the page.
- Who can apply
- Farmers in Northern Ireland (one BSG at a time; not alongside a CAFRE Themed Group for the same enterprise).
What you’ll need
- DAERA Category 1 Farm Business ID
How to apply
- Read the terms and conditions
- Apply on the CAFRE website (second tranche of applications open)
- Questions: [email protected]
These replace the earlier CAFRE Business Development Groups. Over 1,440 farm businesses enrolled. Payment amounts and closing date not stated.
Similar schemes
- CAFRE advisers, benchmarking and technical support Open all yearCAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise), part of DAERACAFRE (part of DAERA) supports farmers through industry training, knowledge and technology transfer, benchmarking and business development planning, with technical pages and calculators for each sector.
- Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) Open all yearFarm Safety FoundationFree farm safety and mental health resources and training aimed at farmers under 40.
- Farming in Partnership (Rural Support) Open all yearRural Support, funded by DAERALinks farmers without a family successor with new entrants, to explore partnership arrangements.
- Rural Support Farm Business Support Open all yearRural Support (Northern Ireland farm support charity)Help for farmers and farm families to work through farming, business, financial and personal challenges.
- Carbon Footprinting Project Coming soonDAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)Planned project for farm carbon footprints, with registration and CAFRE training expected to become an FSP conditionality.
- Farming for the Generations (main scheme) Coming soonDAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)Succession support for farm families: planning for succession, developing the successor and supporting the lead generation.
Checked against the official pages on 29 October 2026. Sources: 1, 2. Always read the official page before you apply.