THE best of Exmoor's livestock was on show when Government Minister Lord De Mauley visited Exford for the official launch of a new initiative to support farming families and businesses. The Exmoor Hill Farming Network is a two-year partnership project funded by the Prince's Countryside Fund, Exmoor National Park Authority and Defra's Rural Development Programme for England. And Lord de Mauley, Minister for Natural Environment and Science, was greeted at the launch - held at the Westermill Farm home of Oliver and Jill Edwards - by Exmoor Horn sheep, owned by the Atkins family from Exford, an Exmoor mare and foal belonging to Peter Farmer and Carol Bigge, from Simonsbath, and some Aberdeen Angus bulls. The visit included two farm tours during which the Edwards family was able to explain its approach to livestock, forestry and land management of its 500-acre holding to some of the 100 people who attended. Lord de Mauley also joined upland farmers for a barbecue lunch and heard about the network's plans to support farming families and businesses. The launch was also attended by Helen Aldis, newly appointed manager of the Prince's Countryside Fund, who said she welcomed the chance to meet farmers benefiting from the network's activities and to hear about future plans to address the challenges facing many upland farmers. Network chairman Dave Knight said: "The launch was an opportunity for farming families to discuss what they want from the network, to find out what we are doing and to spend time together celebrating changes and opportunities for Exmoor farming. "As an independent farmer led network, we want to increase farming incomes by supporting the next generation and improving livestock and land management. "The funding support from Defra through the Rural Development Programme for England, the Prince's Countryside Fund and Exmoor National Park Authority are important to build a strong foundation for the network going forward." Network officer Katherine Williams said the network was an information and co-ordination service to ensure Exmoor's upland farmers get access to the training, knowledge and new opportunities available from national schemes. "Over the spring, we have organised sprayer operative courses, information events on the new sheep movement requirements, farm visits and talks targeting particular issues and groups across Exmoor," she said. The network is free to join and the team is based at Cutcombe market, Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and can be contacted on 01643 841455 or email [email protected]">[email protected]. Pictured at the launch, from left, Oliver Edwards, Dave Knight, Helen Aldis, Exmoor National Park Authority chairman Andrea Davis, Katherine Williams, Lord de Mauley and Peter Farmer.