They included senior organiser Craig Roughley, of Dulverton, and group chairman Judy Carless, of Tarr Steps.
Ms Carless was quick to cross swords with county council leader Humphrey Temperley as he arrived.
She accused the county council of failing to offer any immediate help to businesses being forced to the wall by the foot and mouth crisis.
She has already closed her Tarr Farm tea rooms, although her restaurant remains open in the evening, as visitor numbers to Exmoor have plummeted as a result of the crisis.
Photo: Alain Lockyer