Did you know since the Exmoor Hill Farm Project / Network was set up in 2009 we have received nearly £500,000 of public sector money. Much has been achieved and the network continues to go from strength to strength.

After securing another grant of £49,990 from The Princes Countryside Fund this contributes to nearly half of the required budget for the next two years of activities. One of our key objectives is to secure the remaining money and show some movement to partial sustainability over the next two years by bringing in some private sector income.

We are mindful this is a sensitive area and are exploring various options including sponsorship and some member income, yet maintaining free membership to the network. We wish to maintain the current level of activities, although the budget will be tighter we hope with a pragmatic approach this can be achieved. This follows on from a small sample survey at the Christmas Review to allow full feedback.

YOUR feedback is key and one idea for consideration is :

1. Would you contribute a nominal amount to attend our peer support groups and open events at £5pp per meeting? Yes/No

2. If yes would you prefer to ‘pay as you go’ at each meeting or pay annually in one go (currently 8 –10 peer group meetings of each group per annum)?

We are a farmer led network so your views are very important to us. We are also aware there are likely to be a mix of viewpoints and want to be open to all, maintaining meeting numbers and attendance whilst balancing the budget and evolving some sustainability. We would be grateful if members could feedback their suggestions by email or telephone.

A decision/ discussion will be made at our next steering group meeting on Monday 22 February 2016

Please feedback to Janet Herniman ( Programme Manager) JHerniman@northdevonplus.co.uk or Dave Knight ( EHFN Chairman) farmerdave50@yahoo.co.uk All responses will be treated in the strictest confidence.