AN EXMOOR farming network is celebrating its tenth anniversary of working to support the local farming community.

Founded in 2014, the Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) has been working for a decade to improve Exmoor farm sustainability, provide an information hub for farmers and foster a friendly inclusive community.

Exmoor Hill Farming Network Manager, Katherine Williams, said: “I never envisaged that I would be here ten years on after taking up a two year contract.

“It’s been a remarkable journey, and I feel really privileged to hold the post that I do.”

The Network was established as a successor to the Exmoor Hill Farm Project, which worked from 2009 to 2013, and has been supported by key funders The Royal Countryside Fund and Exmoor National Park Authority over the course of the ten years.

In early 2019, EHFN conducted a governance review which led to its transition to a Community Interest Company, reinforcing its commitment to a grassroots approach.

Today, the network is one of 56 farm support networks across the UK led by the Royal Countryside Fund, supporting a total of 453 farming businesses in the Greater Exmoor area.

Karen Wall, a farmer on Exmoor and member of the network, said: “If there was not such a group, I think I’d be a lot more isolated. Farming is an isolating job, but Katherine is always there at the end of the phone.

“She always goes the extra mile to help somebody.”

Having grown up on a beef and sheep hill farm near Withypool, Katherine has a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by the farming business.

Katherine said: “I think it does help being connected to farming, because I can relate, and I know first-hand how it feels

“The network has that sense of trust, which has allowed us to become the go-to hub to support the farming community across Exmoor.

“It’s a way of bringing the farming community together, forging friendships in a very inclusive way.”

In honour of the network’s anniversary, EHFN worked alongside the Exmoor Society to produce the book ‘Exmoor Farms: A Year on the Moor’.

Photographer Eleanor Davis and writer Victoria (Tortie) Eveleigh visited over 60 farms to capture the essence of farm life on Exmoor for the new book which has been published after 22 months of work.

There has also been an exhibition showcasing the photos taken by Eleanor at White Rock Cottage in Simonsbath, which welcomed more than 175 visitors from across the UK in its first weekend.

Katherine said: “It's been an absolute whirlwind, and I think there have been many highs and lows to get to the point of the production.

“I personally had no idea of the work involved but I’ve got to work with an incredible team alongside me and it really has been quite an incredible journey.”

The exhibition at White Rock Cottage featuring Eleanor Davis’ work will be open for a final viewing this weekend (November 1-3).

To find out more visit https://www.ehfn.org.uk/