The Small Producers Practical Training Fund was established by the Scottish Government to
help small producers connected with Scotland's food and drink production get vocational,
practical training that suits their own needs. It is open to people already working in small
scale production and to those keen to start.
Every ACS course is studied by distance learning, so there is nothing to travel to and
no term dates to fit around. You study at home, at your own pace, with a tutor who
marks your work — which is why these courses suit people working a holding, a
croft or a full-time job alongside their training.
Apply for funding before you enrol
Lantra cannot pay for training that has already been booked, started or paid for.
In their words: “please wait until you get confirmation of funding from us
before you do any training, as we cannot make retrospective payments for training
undertaken before approval is granted.”
So do not use the Enrol Now button on our course pages first. Start
your application on Skills Hub Scotland, wait for Lantra's decision, and enrol once
it comes through.
Who this fund is for
Lantra decide who is eligible, not us. These are the criteria they publish —
if you are close to them, it is worth applying and letting Lantra judge.
- You are based in Scotland and aged 13 or over.
- You live or work on a holding no larger than 30 hectares, excluding common grazing. There is no lower limit.
- The business is economically active with an annual turnover under £2 million.
- It holds a valid Business Reference Number (BRN), or a flock number if you are a landless keeper.
- It employs fewer than 10 people, including seasonal and self-employed workers, but excluding apprentices and volunteers.
- Its primary business is producing food or drink for public consumption, or fibre for sale - including horticulture and local processing.
- Or you are a paid worker, volunteer or family member of a small producer business.
- If you are under 16, or a vulnerable adult, a parent or guardian must apply on your behalf.
- Businesses that directly support small producers can also apply, but will need to evidence that relationship.
You can apply for a maximum of one course per month, and priority goes to people who
have not applied before.
How it works
-
Step 1
Choose your course
Pick from the badged ACS courses below. Read the full course outline on our site first — your application asks what you expect to gain from it.
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Step 2
Apply on Skills Hub
Create a free Skills Hub Scotland account and apply against the course. You will need to explain how the training helps you or your business.
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Step 3
Wait for approval
Lantra assess the application. Do not enrol or pay us anything until their confirmation arrives — funding cannot be awarded afterwards.
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Step 4
Enrol and start
With approval in hand, enrol with us and start whenever you like. There are no intake dates to wait for.
ACS courses badged for this fund
Lantra have badged 67 ACS courses as eligible for the Small Producers fund. Read the full outline on our course page, then start your application on Skills Hub.
Business and Management (9)
Ecotourism and Adventure Activities (1)
Permaculture and Self Sufficiency (10)
Common questions
How much will the Small Producers fund pay towards an ACS course?
100% of the course fee, up to £500 per course. You can apply for training costing more than £500, but you will need to fully explain the value of that training to you or your business on the application form.
What counts as a small producer?
A business based in Scotland on a holding of 30 hectares or less excluding common grazing, with turnover under £2 million, fewer than 10 employees, and a primary business producing food or drink for public consumption or fibre for sale - horticulture and local processing included. Crofts, smallholdings and market gardens all qualify, and there is no minimum size.
Do I need a Business Reference Number to apply?
You need a valid Business Reference Number, or a flock number if you are a landless keeper. If you are applying as a paid worker, volunteer or family member of a small producer business, the business holds the reference rather than you.
How is this different from the Next Generation fund?
Small Producers is defined by the business: the size of the holding, the turnover, the staff count and the Business Reference Number. Next Generation is defined by you: whether you entered agriculture within the last five years. Someone new to the sector on a small holding can qualify for both, and both pay 100% of the fee up to £500.
My holding is very small. Is there a minimum size?
No. The fund sets an upper limit of 30 hectares excluding common grazing, and no lower limit at all.
Other funds you might qualify for
Most of our badged courses carry more than one fund, and you only need to qualify for
one of them. It is worth reading these before you choose which to apply to.
Next Generation Practical Training Fund
People in Scotland who are new to agriculture
100% of the course fee, up to £500 per course
Eligibility and courses38 ACS courses badged
Women in Agriculture Practical Training Fund
Women and girls aged 13 and over living in Scotland
100% of the course fee, up to £500 per course
Eligibility and courses67 ACS courses badged
Peatland Training Fund
People working in, or moving into, peatland restoration in Scotland
50% of the course fee, up to £1,000 per application
Find it on Skills Hub1 ACS course badged
Eligibility, funding amounts and the list of badged courses are set and published by
Lantra Scotland on Skills Hub Scotland,
and can change. We list which of our courses are badged; whether you qualify is Lantra's
decision. Course list last checked 10 September 2026.
Questions about the fund itself go to Lantra Scotland on 01738 310164.