FAS provides £20million Development Programme

Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS) is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). This £20million programme provides information and resources aimed at increasing the profitability and sustainability of farms and crofts.

Grant support, a full programme of events, a subscription service for crofts and small farms, and a range of articles and publications form the core of this service which is designed to provide integrated advice for land managers, including farm woodland owners, across Scotland. The service provides access to grants for: • Integrated Land

Management Plans (ILMP) • Specialist advice • Mentoring for new entrants • Carbon audits

At the centre of the FAS is a programme of events including workshops and network farm meetings.

Two farm woodland events covering woodland creation opportunities and the benefits of woodlands on the farm will be held in Grampian later this year.

Publications of interest to farm woodland owners include Farm Woodland News and a series of woodland related technical notes which are in preparation. For general enquiries or for more information about the service and coming events, phone the advice line on 0300 323 0161, or explore the FAS website www.fas.scot The advice line operates between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, covering a wide variety of topics including cross compliance, farm woodlands, climate change and other technical issues.