Farmers urged to bid for six-figure seed funding to drive growth 

Farmers in parts of Surrey can secure a six-figure cash injection as part of wider efforts to boost growth in the county. 

Surrey County Council is offering capital grants of up to £120,000 to support innovative ideas to drive diversification in agriculture. 

The aim is to help farmers in the districts of Tandridge, Guildford and Waverley to generate new income streams while increasing the long-term sustainability of their estates. 

Ideas could include establishing farm shops, developing agritourism, generating sustainable energy or cultivating new crops and livestock.  

A total of £360,000 is available as part of the government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund for 2025/6.  

Applications can now made direct via the Business Surrey website, closing at the end of June.

It will be a competitive process with the focus on supporting a small number of large-scale, high-impact projects in eligible areas. Match funding is encouraged though not mandatory. 

Farmers and landowners across the whole of the county are also invited to bid for Business Growth Grants via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. Applications to the current live round close at the end of May. 

Matt Furniss, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “As committed custodians of much of Surrey’s fantastic countryside, farmers play a key role in everyone’s way of life, producing the food we eat, managing our unique landscapes and creating employment in our rural communities.  

“This fund is intended to support a small number of farmers to diversify and explore new commercial opportunities, supporting them to generate more income while supporting broader prosperity in our rural communities. 

“It forms part of our wider commitment to drive sustainable growth across Surrey while ensuring no one is left behind.” 

For full details and to apply visit the Business Surrey website.