SUPPORTING THE FARMING COMMUNITY ON EXMOOR
Overview of the Exmoor Hill Farming Network
We are a farmer-led Network bringing information, training, demonstrations, grants and opportunities
to upland farmers across Exmoor. The Network is open to anyone farming in the Exmoor Severely Disadvantaged Area or Exmoor National Park. It is free to join the Network to receive our e-bulletin
“Agri-Update” and notice of all our activities. You can also follow us on Facebook.
This independent Network works in partnership with local farmers, local agencies and the wider Exmoor community to provide a long term information and support ‘hub’ for Exmoor’s farming community.
Celebration of Prince’s Countryside Fund Fifth Anniversary at Highgrove House, Gloucestershire
Centre: Katherine Williams Network Officer, Right: Dave Knight Network Chairman with HRH Prince of Wales
Exmoor Farmers State Their Position
Upland farmers from Exmoor have come together to state their ambitions to deliver for people and
the environment through a reshaped agricultural policy, as the UK prepares to leave the European
Union. The priorities of Exmoor farmers are twofold: firstly to keep the benefits for the public and
society from upland areas such as clean water, carbon storage, diverse wildlife, recreation and
tourism; and secondly to support viable farm businesses that also maintain the special landscape
features of the National Park whilst taking into account revised trading and support policies.
The “Exmoor Ask” is for a package of public and private investment, overseen by the National Park
Authority, together with expert advice, local monitoring, binding contracts and a focus on innovation
to develop new market opportunities. These ideas are being put forward by the Exmoor Hill Farming
Network following their ‘Brexit’ discussion meeting held in December, which was attended by over
50 people. The farmer-led steering group of the Exmoor Hill Farming Network has worked with
Professor Janet Dwyer of the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University
of Gloucester to produce a position statement from these discussions.
“Exmoor is special, shown through its designation as a National Park. It has been produced
by centuries of farming and the management of its iconic landscape features such as beech
hedges, heather moorlands and ancient woodlands,” said the Exmoor HillFarming Network’s
Chairman Dave Knight. “Exmoor’s farming families care deeply for this landscape and work
closely with many partners to protect and sustain it. We have over 30 years of experience of
which policies work well for Exmoor. The key to better delivery for the public and the
environment is working to national goals and policies through a locally customised scheme,
developed and monitored by a partnership of local farmers and agencies who know what
works in our area.”
The Network members have produced their position statement to increase understanding among
the general public, agencies, policy makers and those not familiar with upland farming and Exmoor.
It explains the range of benefits delivered by farming from food, clean water and wood, to wildlife, a
beautiful countryside and features of historical and cultural interest.
” The Network will continue to refine their “Ask” as more information emerges through the
coming months, working with other partners and farmer groups,” said Dave Knight. “We
want to be at the table for the ongoing discussions to develop a new agricultural policy as
we leave the European Union.”
Download: Exmoor Delivers for People and the Environment
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
General Data Protection Regulation – Latest Changes to Data Protection
PLEASE READ -From 25th May 2018 new legislation comes into force. In order to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation, we are seeking your consent to continue holding your personal information for the purpose of contacting you to advise of EHFN services to receive at least monthly communications. If you have any queries about the data held, please do get in touch. Please note this is an opt in request not an opt out request. If I do not hear from you by Friday 10th May 2018 I will have to remove you from our contact list to comply with legislation, and you will no longer receive the details of our EHFN services.
Please copy and paste the following statement and reply to this email at Kwilliams@northdevonplus.co.uk if you are happy to continue being a member on our email database - I am confirm that I am in agreement for Exmoor Hill Farming Network to hold my personal information for the purpose of contacting me to advise of EHFN services to receive at least monthly communications. I understand I can withdraw this consent at any time by advising them of this in writing.
EHFN JOB VACANCY ADVERTS
Over the last few months local businesses/individuals have approached the network to advertise jobs on Exmoor. We would be delighted to assist you with any marketing and able to circulate by email to over 500 members on our database . Please email adverts or copy to the Network officer. We ask for a £25 fee which includes emailing out to our members, advertised on our jobs page on our website and EHFN Facebook page.
To book or for further information please contact the office on 01643 841455 or kwilliams@northdevonplus.co.uk
working closing with one of key sponsors for 2017
Following #IWD2017 Katherine Williams @ExmoorHFN discusses supporting #local #Farmers #natwestboost #agriculture #devon pic.twitter.com/ZrHEmoxADR
— James Court (@jamescourtnwb) March 9, 2017
Annual Christmas Review 2017
The Exmoor Hill Farming Network celebrated it fourth Christmas Review last week at The Music Room , Woolhanger by kind permission of Mr and Mrs G Mellstrom. The evening was an opportunity to bring together members and was a huge success with 94 members of the Exmoor farming community attending.
Katherine Williams, EHFN officer said: “We were delighted to see so many of our Next Generation who have engaged with the network over the past 2 years, this being a key objective for our funders.
“Members enjoyed a 3 course meal, a review of our network activities and we were also joined by guest speaker Matt and Pip Smith from Launceston , Cornwall – Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year 2017 and Sheep Shearing World Record holder for 2016. The evening was rounded up with a prize draw and auction of table decorations raising £615 for network funds, many thanks go to the local businesses for their generous donations.”
The Network is an information and support 'hub' for Exmoor's hill farmers, bringing information, demonstrations, training, grants and opportunities to farmers. The Network started four years ago and is funded by the Exmoor National Park Authority and The Princes Countryside Fund and well supported by Exmoor's farming community. The project is currently exploring further funding bids to continue and develop their work from February 2018 as confirmed funding is in place until end of the January 2018.
Pic L to R: Matt Smith, Pip Smith , Katherine Williams (EHFN Network Officer) and Dave Knight (EHFN Chairman)
Agri Updates
Useful Information
Women in Farming Group – Ladies in Beef Presentation - Download here
Over the Gate - News from networks - Download here
Exmoor Women in Farming Group - Calf Rearing - Download here
Exmoor Forward Farming Group October Visit - Download here
Exmoor Forward Farming Group September Visit - Download here
Next Generation Group - August Notes - Download here
WIF Visit - August 2017 - Download here
Next Generation Group - Visit to Matt Geen - Easy Management Exlana and Lleyn Flock July 2017 - Download here
Forward Farming Group Visit – August 2017 - Download here
Exmoor Hill Farm Network activities since February - Download here
Exmoor Forward Farming Group Visit to Bowmont Marino’s July 2017 - Download here
Exmoor Women in Farming Group - Visit to the Mill at Holsworthy - Download here
Next Generation June Visit: Wydon Farm, Minehead - Download here
Exmoor Forward Farming Group - June meeting - Download here
Women in farming groups notes for Darts Farm May 2017 - Download here
Exmoor Forward Farming Group - May meeting - Download here
BVD Presentation - Download here
EHFN BVD Meeting - Download here
Future of the Family Farm - succession notes - Download here
Animal Welfare on Exmoor - Download here
Micro Farming Group Notes - Lambing Shed - Download here
Exmoor Women in Farming Group Meeting - Download here
Forward Farming Group – Visit to Shearwell Data (November 2016 ) - Download here
Exmoor Women in Farming Group – November 2016 - Download here
Exmoor Forward Group – December 2016 Visit to Cotley Brewery - Download here
Ewe Condition Scoring / Lamb Grading Notes - Download here
EFFG - Visit to a local buyer September 2016 - Download here
EFFG - Rotational Grazing Notes August 2016 - Download here
Over the Gate (Issue 5) - Download here
RAM MOT Evening - Download here
Micro Farming Group Sept - Download here
Hinam Farm Visit - Download here
Hilltown Farm Visit - Download here
Deer Farm Visit - Download here
Is there a future for the small family farm in the UK? - Download here
Preparing for a successful lambing - Click here to view
State of Farming on Exmoor - View report here
State of Farming on Exmoor - View feedback here
State of Farming on Exmoor - View Summary here
Cosmic Social Media Training Guide - Facebook - Download here
Cosmic Social Media Training Guide - Pinterest - Download here
Cosmic Social Media Training Guide - Twitter - Download here
CONTACTING US
Exmoor Hill Farming Network
Cutcombe Market, Wheddon Cross,
Minehead, Somerset TA24 7DT
Tel: 01643 841455
Office Hours: 9am - 1pm (Monday to Friday)
Email: KWilliams@northdevonplus.co.uk
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