Exmoor Hill Farm Project
WHAT?
The Exmoor Hill Farm Project is an exciting new project, developed through the SW Regional Development Agency, specifically to help livestock farmers on Exmoor. The project provides a team to identify and develop actions to support livestock farmers to improve the profitability of their businesses. This includes the development of strategic projects and encouraging access to the wide range of support and funding available through the Rural Development Programme for England.
WHERE?
The project covers the geographical area of Exmoor and will specifically support activity that is of benefit to livestock farmers in the Severely Disadvantaged Areas (SDA).
WHEN?
The project was launched in October 2009 and will operate until the end of June 2013.
WHY?
Three Upland areas in the South West, including Exmoor, have been identified by the South West Regional Development Agency as areas requiring specific assistance to support the livestock sector and to ensure that the agricultural systems that are so important to their unique landscapes are retained and are economically viable. The vision for the Exmoor Hill Farm Project is that between 2009 and 2013 the livestock sector will benefit from having targeted support in order to improve the competitiveness of their businesses.
WHO?
A project team has been set up and is based at the Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, Minehead. The project co-ordinators are Kate Harris and Julia Woollacott and the project officer is Carol Embury. The project is hosted by North Devon+, the economic delivery agency for North Devon that works with the public and private sectors to encourage and support business growth, improve the quality of life and address inequalities.
HOW?
Kate and Julia will be working closely with farmers to establish ways to support their businesses, for example bidding for a capital grant to develop a new enterprise on the farm; obtaining expert advice and grants from the Resource Management or Healthy Livestock schemes; signposting to training and advice services; supporting a group to develop a strategic project or disseminating targeted information.
The Team will develop a strategic action plan for the four year programme based on evidence and information from livestock farmers. The programme is overseen by a farmer led Steering Group with representatives from Exmoor National Park, the SW Uplands Federation, North Devon+ and local livestock organisations to provide a valuable link between local partners, funders and farmers.
To find out more about the Project, please contact:
Project Co-ordinators
Kate Harris on 07970 795808 kharris@northdevonplus.co.uk
Julia Woollacott on 07896 944978 jwoollacott@northdevonplus.co.uk
Project Officer
Carol Embury – cembury@northdevonplus.co.uk
Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, Minehead, Somerset TA24 7DL
Phone: 01643 841704 Fax: 01643 841704
E-mail: enquiries@exmoorhillfarmproject.org.uk
Part financed by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas