THE Exmoor Hill Farming Network has established itself as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and began running as an independent, 100 per cent farmer-led organisation.

The move will mean greater independence for the network (EHFN), which already works with around 318 farming businesses, with opportunities to reinvest assets in the community and attract new sources of funding.

The newly appointed board consists of 11 directors and four advisory board members, led by Dave Knight, who has been EHFN chairman since it was set up five years ago.

Until now, the network has been hosted and supported by North Devon+, an economic delivery agency for North Devon and Torridge, which runs a number of rural development programmes in the area.

Mr Knight said: “We are immensely proud of the progress the network has made under the auspices of North Devon+ so that it is trusted by farmers and other land managing businesses in the Greater Exmoor areas as a source of valuable advice, training and support in these uncertain times.

“North Devon+ has played a key role in this success and we hope to continue a close working relationship going forward.’’

The full story is in today’s Free Press (February 14).