Up to 700 livestock farmers have now been helped through a project set up three years ago to give a welcome boost to the Exmoor farming industry.

The Exmoor Hill Farm project has been able to work with farmers and their families giving advice on grant schemes, organising training events, providing networking opportunities and setting up farmer interest groups.

Younger farmer groups in particular have benefited from the project, which is based at the Livestock Market at Wheddon Cross.

A progress report published recently highlights the range of events, course and visits that have been on offer. A group of enthusiastic young farmers joined together in 2010 to set up the Exmoor Forward Farming Group, they meet monthly to visit farms or hear from well respected experts in the farming world.

The project is funded through the Rural Development Programme for England and is coordinated by Julia Heard and Kate Harris, with support from Carol Embury who also manages the project’s website.

As well as the Forward Farming Group, the project has been working closely with ladies involved in farming on the Moor, in particular setting up training courses on areas such as social media, first aid, butchery and book keeping.

In just three years the project has supported around 300 people to take part in various courses, workshops and talks as well as helping over 200 businesses to apply for funding.

Professor John Wibberley has been chairing the project’s steering group since it started and has commented in the progress report on the reasons for its success, stating: “The Project has provided linkages and assistance in accessing whatever help is available from possible sources within Exmoor – adopting a ‘can-do approach’.”

Study trips to Scotland, Cumbria, Wales and Dartmoor have given local farmers the chance to see farming in other upland areas, inspiring and encouraging them to develop their businesses as well as giving them valuable opportunities to network.

Much of the project’s work has been funded through the Skills Programme, run by Duchy College, and this partnership has proved invaluable.

Wayne Simmons, skills project manager highlighted this in the report, saying: “We are delighted to have an excellent working relationship with the Exmoor Hill Farm Project. This relationship combines their knowledge of the particular requirements of Exmoor Farmers with our ability to fund high quality training.”

The team produces regular newsletters and information on their website www.exmoorhilfarmproject.org.uk.

Any farmers interested in finding out more about forthcoming events should contact the office on 01643 841 455, or email enquiries@exmoorhillfarmproject.org.uk.