FARMERS AND landowners from across Central Scotland have turned out for the latest in a series of events encouraging the integration of forestry with existing land uses.

Hosted at Langhill Farm near Denny and organised by Central Scotland Green Network Trust on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland, 32 people representing 14 individual farms, law firms and rural land agencies were given the opportunity to find out more about diversifying their income through woodland creation.

During the half-day event, speakers shared information on the Scottish Rural Development Programme’s Forestry Grant Scheme, how to access finance for woodland creation, how to approach forestry as an investment, and the opportunities for integrating forestry into rural business and animal health benefits of shelter.

Delegates were also given a guided walk of woodlands recently planted at Langhill, led by woodland design and management company Eamonn Wall and Co.

As a result of what they heard, five of the farms represented have now registered and been awarded free Farm Woodland Assessments to help gauge the potential for integrating forestry into farm businesses. The assessments will be delivered by CSGNT as part of the CSGN Woodland Creation Development Programme.

Lorraine Gibson of Greenwall Farm, who attended the event, said: “Each of the speakers provided multiple reasons as to why we should consider woodland creation. Their knowledge has given us a different outlook to take on board. The on-site tree walk provided a greater understanding of the process and how it might work on our own land.”

Forestry Commission Scotland, alongside the CSGNT, are encouraging farmers to consider broadening the purpose of their land with more woodlands and forests. Woodland creation development officer, Virginia Harden Scott, said: “This series of woodland creation events gives farmers and landowners the chance to see first-hand how forestry can be integrated onto farm land and provides the opportunity to speak to us directly about the benefits.

“Investing in new woodland offers landowners valuable opportunities to maximise productivity of their land and diversify incomes at a time when these are falling in traditional agriculture and there is uncertainty over subsidies.

"We will be holding further events in 2018 in partnership with Soil Association Scotland and the Farm Advisory Service, with the first taking place at Lanark Mart on February 28. I would encourage landowners considering woodland creation, or looking to diversify their income, or those advising such landowners, to either attend these events, or contact CSGNT for more information and advice.”

The Forestry Grant Scheme, part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme, offers landowners within the CSGN area grants of up to £8710 per hectare towards the cost of new woodland planting, which includes a special CSGN additional contribution of up to £2500 per hectare, with additional monies available for fencing and tree shelters.

For further information on woodland creation, contact Virginia Harden Scott at virginia.harden@csgnt.org.uk / 01501 824 197.