Farming for the Future on Exmoor

Hannah had a great trip to attending the Hill Farming Network’s workshop ‘Is Farm Diversification for You?’. Held in Exford Village Hall, the evening started with a hot supper and apple and blackberry crumble for pudding, which was a treat on a cold February evening!

Adrian Matthews from Savill’s was an excellent speaker, with over 30 years of experience as a consultant advising farm businesses on how to manage their farms and make their businesses profitable. Adrian delivered an informative presentation, focusing on good business planning and giving plenty of practical examples and advice. Katherine had organised for a local farmer, Paula, to speak after Adrian about the work she and her husband Chris had done to diversify their business: installing two idyllic shepeard’s huts on their orchard farm in Exmoor. Paula was able to talk everyone through the process, sharing how they overcome challenges with lots of useful advice.

As well as the farmers in room, we were also joined by a Zoom audience, organised by Katherine for anyone who was isolating or unable to make the meeting in person. There was great engagement from the virtual audience with plenty of suggestions and questions for Adrian being raised. A really interesting and inspiring evening for all involved!