Supporting Exmoor Farmers

Over 300 farmers have been supported through the DEFRA funded Exmoor Hill Farm Project.

Our dedicated team helps rural Exmoor farmers to access funding, and facilitates and supports training, joint working and industry initiatives that help our rural farmers adapt to change.

The Exmoor Hill Farm Project is funded through the Rural Development Programme for England and started in September 2009. The overall aim of the project is to support livestock farmers on Exmoor.

We can help farmers to: 

•  Access funding and support through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)
• Promote and signpost to the various initiatives and projects available for Exmoor farmers 
• Organise events & training on Exmoor for Exmoor farmers 
• Identify opportunities for businesses and provide up to date industry information 
• Work with other organisations to address key issues facing the Exmoor livestock sector.
• Facilitate groups of farmers to work together through knowledge transfer, information exchange and joint working.

The project is run by Julia Heard (nee Woollacott) and Kate Harris, based at Cutcombe Market at Wheddon Cross.

Kate and Julia work closely with farmers to establish ways to support their businesses, anything from organising study trips and visits to other farms, helping them to access grants and support through the Healthy Livestock Initiative and the SW Agricultural Resource Management project and organising specific training courses such as sheep dog handling and computer skills.

The project works closely with Duchy College, Rural Focus, local businesses and other organisations and has a farmer led steering group to guide and support our work. Carol Embury is based in charge of the day to day running of our office as well as the web site.

The project produces a quarterly newsletter and has a website - www.exmoorhillfarmproject.org.uk  where you can download the newsletter and get up to date information on news and events.

Part financed by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas 2007-2013

For more information on The Exmoor Hill Farm Project visit www.exmoorhillfarmproject.org.uk or call 01643 841455