Chadacre Agricultural Trust

Charity Number: 310496

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~£100,000 - £240,000 (based on annual expenditure)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Quarterly (Governors meet 4 times per year)
  • Grant Range: Not specified (varies by programme)
  • Geographic Focus: Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire (East Anglia)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.chadacre-trust.org.uk
  • Email: helengsmith@aol.com
  • Phone: 07734 956029
  • Administrator: Dr Helen Smith
  • Address: 7 Manor Farm Lane, Drayton, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 8SW

Overview

The Chadacre Agricultural Trust was formed on 11 October 1990 following the closure of the Chadacre Agricultural Institute, which had been founded by the First Earl of Iveagh in 1920. The original institute, based at Chadacre Hall near Hartest in Suffolk, was one of the first agricultural training establishments in the UK, providing free residential education to over 1,400 farmers before its closure in 1988.

When the estate was sold, the proceeds were invested to create an endowment that now funds the Trust's ongoing work. With total income of approximately £193,883 and expenditure of around £105,958 (year ending March 2025), the Trust distributes grants for agricultural education and research. Since 1992, the Trust has awarded over £4 million in grant-aid and supported more than 600 students in training and research. The Trust is governed by a Body of Governors chaired by the Earl of Iveagh.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Trust offers four grant categories:

1. Students

  • Supports individuals pursuing study or research in agriculture, farming, and related subjects
  • Covers certificate, diploma, degree, and higher degree courses
  • Priority given to practical training courses preparing students for farm employment
  • Also supports continuing professional development, skills training, and apprenticeships (including BASIS and FACTS qualifications)
  • Includes practical farm skills such as tele-handling and chainsaw operation

2. Farming Education

  • Grants for farmers, land managers, and agricultural workers to acquire new skills
  • Supports training to improve communication skills
  • Funding for organisations providing agricultural training
  • Grants to assist farmers or land managers employing students on work experience
  • Supports initiatives promoting improved agricultural practices

3. Research

  • Funds research into agriculture, farming, ecology, and nature conservation
  • Preference for projects conducted by postgraduate students
  • Requires supervision from a senior research leader at a UK institution
  • Research must yield practical benefits to farmers during or soon after completion
  • Research must benefit farming in the Eastern Counties

4. Education of the Public

  • Supports projects educating the public about farming, food, and agriculture
  • Particular focus on children's education
  • Includes farming's co-existence with nature conservation
  • The Trust supports approximately 4,000 attendees annually at the SAA Schools Food and Farming Day

Priority Areas

  • Agricultural and farming sciences
  • Land management and practical farming crafts
  • Ancillary trades to agriculture
  • Nature conservation
  • Public understanding of farming and food production
  • Skills development for those entering or working in agriculture

What They Don't Fund

  • “Bricks and mortar” projects (capital/infrastructure)
  • Applicants eligible for state funding
  • Applicants or projects outside Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, or Cambridgeshire
  • Research without practical farmer benefits
  • Projects without definable links to the four eligible counties
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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a Body of 8 Governors who serve as trustees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Chair: Rt Hon The Earl of Iveagh (appointed 1992)

Notable Trustees include:

  • David Eric Barker MBE (appointed 2004) - also trustee of Westhorpe Village Hall Limited and Bury St. Edmunds Cricket Club
  • Sally Bendall BEM (appointed 2008) - Managing Director and trustee of the Suffolk Agricultural Association

The Governors meet quarterly to assess grant applications and allocate funding.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Submit completed application: Include required documentation specific to your grant type

Required documentation varies by category:

  • Students: Complete course details and duration, course costs, CV including education and employment history
  • Farming Education: Full project objectives, work plan, CVs for all project participants
  • Research: Research objectives, scientific context, work plan for project duration, CVs for all researchers
  • Public Education: Background and objectives of proposed project, work plan and timescale, CVs for project participants

Key Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be based in, or have definable links with, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, or Cambridgeshire
  • Must not be eligible for state funding (for student grants)
  • Research students must be supervised by a senior research leader at a UK institution

Decision Timeline

  • Governors meet quarterly to assess applications and allocate funding
  • Applications are considered at the next quarterly meeting following submission
  • Specific notification methods not publicly documented

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented - contact the Administrator for guidance

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and requirements:

  • Demonstrate practical benefit: For research applications, show clear practical outcomes for farmers in the Eastern Counties
  • Focus on people: The Trust explicitly prioritises "people rather than 'bricks and mortar' projects" - emphasise individual development and skills acquisition
  • Show strong East Anglian connection: Applications must demonstrate clear links to Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, or Cambridgeshire
  • Explain why state funding is unavailable: For student grants, clearly demonstrate ineligibility for government support
  • Include comprehensive CVs: All grant types require CVs for participants - ensure these demonstrate relevant experience and qualifications
  • Align with the Trust's heritage: The Trust values practical agricultural training rooted in its history as a hands-on farming institute
  • Consider the quarterly cycle: Submit well-prepared applications in advance of quarterly meetings to allow adequate review time

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is strict: You must be based in or have definable links with Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, or Cambridgeshire
  • State funding exclusion: Student applicants must not be eligible for state funding - be prepared to explain why
  • People-focused: The Trust does not fund capital projects - focus on training, education, and skills development for individuals
  • Practical outcomes required: Especially for research grants, demonstrate how your work will benefit farmers practically
  • Quarterly decisions: Plan your application timeline around quarterly Governor meetings
  • Contact Dr Helen Smith: The Administrator can provide guidance on eligibility and application requirements before submission
  • Strong historical mission: The Trust continues the legacy of the Chadacre Agricultural Institute - applications that align with practical farming education and training are well-suited

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References