The countryside has been an integral and defining part of British culture for many years.

The countryside provides us a place of solace and tranquillity as well as the potential for farming and business and yet with the encroachment of the modern world, opportunities to support and give back to our rural communities seem few and far between.

The Prince’s countryside fund has been established to answer this threat to the wider rural economy and preserve our countryside for future generations to enjoy. Read on to find out more with some excerpts from their website:

How it Works:

“The Prince’s Countryside Fund gives grants to projects that help support the people who care for the countryside.

It is supported by a unique collaboration of businesses working together to secure a sustainable future for British agriculture and the wider rural economy.

We provide grants of up to £50,000 to projects that are tackling one of five key issues. Our grants will aim to improve service provision in rural areas, support rural enterprise, support farming businesses, and provide training opportunities for young people and educating people about the value of the countryside.”

Hampshire Fare Project:

“Hampshire Fare, the county food group of Hampshire, was established to promote the benefits of buying local produce. Thanks to The Prince’s Countryside Fund the group have assisted farmers in adding value to their pork by encouraging them to diversify into cured.”

Roy’s experience with the Hampshire Fare Project:

“‘We have been involved in the pig industry for some thirty years and during this time we have constantly had to adapt to changing consumer demands and economic climate through diversification into butchery, hog roasts and sausage making.

Hampshire Fare and the grant from The Prince’s Countryside Fund is great news for us and other specialist pig producers across the country.  Through attending a series of training events we have not only been able to explore new products and flavours and broaden our range, but also been able to add value to our meat.”

Apply for funding:

“The Prince’s Countryside Fund provides funding towards projects operating in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that clearly contribute towards one or more of The Prince’s Countryside Fund’s objectives. We want our funding to have a long term positive effect on rural communities, helping those that live and work there sustain the countryside, by tackling key rural issues.”

“The majority of our funding is from our supporting companies. Where The Prince’s Countryside Fund logo is displayed you know that
a company has lent its support.”

The Future:

“The Prince’s Countryside Fund provides funding towards projects that clearly contribute to one or more of its objectives:

•To improve the sustainability of British farming and rural communities, targeting the areas of greatest need

•To reconnect consumers with the countryside

•To support farming and rural crisis charities through a dedicated emergency funding stream”

To find out more about the Prince’s Countryside Fund and the opportunities they provide, visit: http://princescountrysidefund.org.uk/ or find them on Facebook.