Farm Visit Advisory Service
Our resources page has useful guidance regarding the creation and management of species-rich grassland, but if you want one-to-one advice tailored for your land you can book an advisory visit by one of our Meadows Advisors.
We charge £55 per hour (+VAT) plus travel costs (0.45p/mile) for our advisory service, which includes:
- A walkover of your land to assess the habitat.
- Key grassland species identification (more detailed quadrat surveys available on request e.g. for Priority Habitat Inventory and Local Wildlife Site panel assessment, see below).
- Simple management recommendations or meadow restoration plan to meet your needs.
- List of basic do’s and don’ts.
- Signposting to relevant grants and further help.
- Soil nutrient and organic matter analysis (additional charge of £30-£35 per field).
The time needed to visit and assess your grassland and provide a short tailored advisory report will depend upon your requirements and the size and complexity of the site, but is likely to require a minimum of 5 hours.
Grassland Surveys
Our Surveys & Monitoring page provides guidance for the assessment of grassland for the Priority Habitat Inventory, but we can provide this service to those who need it.
We charge £55 per hour (+VAT) plus travel costs (0.45p/mile) for this service, which includes:
- A detailed quadrat survey of your grassland.
- Mapping your field parcels.
- Collection of photographic evidence to support your application.
- Submission of evidence and documentation to Natural England (NE).
The time needed to visit and assess your grassland, and submit the evidence to NE, will depend upon the size and number of fields involved, but is likely to take a minimum of 3 hours.
Book a visit
To discuss or book a visit use the Contact Us page or contact an advisor directly:
- Caroline Hanks
TEL: 01981 250239 / 07779 080940
Email: caroline.hanks@farming4wildlife.co.uk - Rory Johnson
TEL: 07817 276949
Email:rory@herefordshiremeadows.org.uk - Carys Solman
TEL: 07396 737 426
Email:carys@herefordshiremeadows.org.uk
Free Advisory Visits and Grassland Surveys
Herefordshire Meadows are occasionally able to provide the above services for free, depending on the availability of funding covering your area.
To keep up to date with current funding opportunities either become a member, Join our mailing list here, or check our News page.
Other sources of advice and survey services
Telephone advice is available from the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and from the Wye Valley National Landscape and Malvern Hills National Landscape.
For plant surveys County Recorders may be able to offer a free service subject to seasonal demand:
- Stuart Hedley, Herefordshire County Plant Recorder (depending on seasonal demand)
Email: s2arth@hotmail.com - Stephanie Tyler, Joint Vice-county Recorder for Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire fringes only
Email: steph_tyler2001@hotmail.com
Advice on planting the Right trees in the Right place on your your land
Countryside Stewardship grant funding
Natural England Grant funding.
Your adviser will signpost you to all the currently available grant opportunities.
Please ask us if your grassland is likely to be eligible for Countryside Stewardship grassland options.
To get the best possible application for your grassland we are happy to work with you and any adviser helping with your Stewardship application, whether one of the Wye and Usk Foundation team or an agent. We can help with grassland surveys and advise on how to get your grassland onto the NE priority habitat inventory.
Depending on location and farm type you may be eligible for advice about improving water quality from Wye and Usk Foundation or Catchment Sensitive Farming.