Exploring the social benefits of agri-environment schemes in England

► An exploration of the social benefits of agri-environment schemes (AES), identifying potential social impact measures. ► Mixed methods approach adopted using a telephone survey and face-to-face interviews with land managers. ► Identifies the impact of AES on on-farm employment and income security and on human and social capital development. ► Results show that the level of social benefit is differentiated by scheme and farm type.