Agriculture and horticulture in Lincolnshire contribute to the county's economy and the country's food security. Lincolnshire County Council works with many organisations to support farmers, allowing them to thrive, excel, and lead the way in best practice.
A list of available support has been compiled for those working in agriculture and horticulture across Lincolnshire.
Our agricultural champions video playlist and horticultural champions video playlist can also provide further information on the different careers in this sector.
Advice, guidance and support
Business advice and guidance
- Business Lincolnshire offers free support to businesses in North and North East Lincolnshire, West Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, the City of Lincoln and Rutland areas. With a specialist advisor for agriculture and horticulture, the Business Lincolnshire team is passionate about helping businesses reach their full potential. Farm businesses in East Lindsey, Boston Borough and South Holland areas should contact their district council for access to business advice.
- Our broadband team is working towards high-speed fixed wireless broadband for those with LN and DN postcodes, working with BDUK to deliver 'project gigabit' to rural premises and discussing the feasibility of providing private 5G networks in the county's agricultural areas. You can find further information on broadband across the county here.
- The UK Food Valley programme in Greater Lincolnshire aims to position the area as a UK leading food sector and a Top 10 Global Food Cluster. The programme supports growth and encourages inward investment by promoting the scale, diversity, and importance of the agri-food sector to the area, ensuring that existing agri-food sector companies and new investors are supported. Some of the UK Food Valley’s key priorities are digital and automation, low-carbon food chains and developing the market of naturally 'good for you' foods.
Wellbeing support
- Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) is a volunteer-led organisation that provides pastoral and practical support to Lincolnshire's farming and horticultural communities during anxiety, stress, and problems relating to their families and businesses.
- Lincolnshire Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy provides pastoral care, giving those in the industry an essential listening ear through difficult times.
- Connect to Support is a one-stop, up-to-date source of information about local support services and opportunities.
Other useful organisations
- The National Farmers Union is England and Wales's most successful representation body for agriculture and horticulture. They represent more than 45,000 farming and growing businesses. Their purpose is to champion British agriculture and horticulture, campaign for a stable and sustainable future for British farmers, and secure the best possible deal for their members.
- The Countryside Land and Business Association (CLA) is the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales.
Training, safety and compliance
Training and careers
- The Adult Skills & Family Learning Service delivers a wide range of entry-level courses to help adults engage with learning and provide learning opportunities that will support a career change.
- The University of Lincoln's National Centre for Food Manufacturing, based in Holbeach, offers part-time study for food industry employees and innovation for businesses.
- If you already own or work in an agriculture or horticulture business, The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture provide tailored advice and practical tools to help develop skills and lifelong learning. If you'd like to work in farming or growing, they provide advice, support and training to pursue a rewarding career.
- Riseholme College, near Lincoln, offers specialist land-based Agriculture, Animal Management and Equine courses. The college offers a range of different course levels to suit all abilities, as well as apprenticeships and short courses.
Safety and compliance
- Lincolnshire Trading Standards enforce a wide range of legislation relevant to agricultural businesses, including animal health and welfare, food, feed, and weights and measures. The team provides advice and guidance on these specialist areas and general advice about trading practices and legal obligations on businesses trading with the public, be it at the farm gate or over the internet. This advice can help protect your business and ensure you comply with the law. The first hour of advice is free and then provided on a pay-as-you-go basis. They offer Primary Authority to those businesses who wish to sign up, and provide assured advice through this.
- Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have produced fire safety advice for farmers, including information about arson prevention and risk assessments businesses can complete.
- Lincolnshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority and will investigate flooding where necessary and publish the results. The investigations determine if there is anything any relevant authorities could or should do in response. Priority is given to flooding, which affects properties that have been internally flooded, but formal investigations may also take place when at least 2 hectares of Grade 3+ agricultural land is flooded for more than two days.
Environmental, land, tenancies and premises
Environmental projects
- The County Council is working with landowners, farmers and businesses to plant 750,000 trees across the county. It is accepting submissions for woodland, orchard and hedgerow tree planting grants.
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development that became mandatory in 2024. It ensures that wildlife habitats are left in a measurably better state than before development. This approach will be of interest to land managers who want to sell into the BNG market.
- In Summer 2023, the National Government consulted on proposed changes to certain permitted development rights that allow agricultural diversification and development on agricultural units.
- Agriculture is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Lincolnshire. The county council is looking to work with the sector on projects to reduce emissions. You can read more in our Green Masterplan. If you're interested in piloting a project, contact sustainability@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Land, tenancies and premises
- Lincolnshire County Council has a County Farms Estate comprising of around 16,500 acres of tenanted land providing agricultural opportunities across the county. As well as providing land and tenancies, we support tenants with wellbeing, safety, and compliance - key factors in our day-to-day business. Farm tenancies are sometimes available. To express an interest, contact sarah.wells@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
- The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (SLFEZ), located near Holbeach in south east Lincolnshire, is a collaborative site where we have created a range of serviced development plots specifically for businesses in the agri-tech sector. The council also manages serviced offices and workshops known as The Hub at the SLFEZ, where we offer flexible leases for small and start-up agri-tech businesses.
- Farmers, landowners, and the county council collaborate to maintain and manage rights of way and public access to the countryside. Find out more about the council's rights of way work.