The Exmoor Hill Farming Network is set to receive funding from The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) to support farmers.

The RCF announced a total of £170,000 in new funding for nine farming groups across the UK, including £20,000 for the Exmoor group.

The money will be used to support a range of sustainable projects aimed at creating a successful future for farming families.

The Exmoor Hill Farming Network will use the funds to enhance farmer health and wellbeing, reduce rural isolation, and prepare the next generation of farmers.

Keith Halstead, executive director of The Royal Countryside Fund, said: "This funding is about powering-up family farms and giving them the support they need to survive and thrive.

"Our aim is to support rural communities across the UK, helping to sustain a living landscape of working family farms and prosperous rural life.

"Farmers are currently facing a whole raft of challenges and we know it’s a difficult time for so many families, so it’s vital our funding goes to where it will make the most impact."

The RCF’s Farm Support Group Initiative, supported by Waitrose & Partners and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, will provide funding to the Exmoor Hill Farming Network.

Katherine Williams, network manager at the Exmoor Hill Farming Network, said: "The funding from The Royal Countryside Fund is vital to fund the work that we do to support our Greater Exmoor farming community.

"The funding from RCF has helped improve a wide range of skill sets, supporting local businesses."

Some of the other groups receiving RCF funding are Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Farm Cornwall and The Farmer Network Ltd.

The Royal Countryside Fund was founded by King Charles III in 2010, when he was The Prince of Wales.

It is the only UK-wide charity focused on the unique issues facing farming and rural communities.

Mr Halstead said: "The farm-support groups we’ve chosen to fund are truly innovative and collaborative organisations that are working with their local communities to find new and sustainable ways to build a better future.

"These are all community-led support groups which can help farmers find the right opportunities, look after their health and wellbeing, and promote sustainable, economic, social and community development.

"I want to thank our supporters and corporate partners who help us fund this change.

"To all these generous organisations and individuals, I want to say: thank you, your support is making a real difference."