The Johnson family have been successfully farming at Church Farm, Oldhurst since 1899. Andrew and Tracey Johnson are fourth generation farmers and it is their vision and determination that has hatched the plan to breed crocodile. Primarily to help them dispose of their waste in an environmentally friendly way and also to provide a source of healthy, low fat meat to add to their range and meet the growing demand from consumers.
Church Farm has seen many changes over the years as customer demand and legislation has forced changes. They originally used to sell their own butter in local markets and run their own farm shop at the premises selling their own meat and produce and that of other local producers. Running alongside the shop are their very popular, tea rooms.
Over 10 years ago the Johnson’s diversified into quail with both Andrew and Tracey taking a very active role looking after in excess of 10,000 birds. It was during this time that they realised that the waste from the quail could be used to heat a crocodile pen. The crocodiles would also eat their other waste products, thus leaving them with very little waste to dispose of via other methods, and more importantly being environmentally friendly.
After much research and planning they decided to apply for a licence to become the first crocodile breeders in Europe and were delighted when they were approved. They now own 7 crocodiles, 1 male and 7 female who were recently moved to their very own brand new building, complete with viewing windows from the tea rooms. Breeding should soon commence. The crocodiles are already proving to be a very popular tourist attraction and the long term goal is to have 900 crocodiles at any one time.
You may be fooled into thinking that the Johnson’s have their hands full with their current ventures but not for this ambitious pair, they are opening a restaurant at the farm in December which will of course serve crocodile on the menu! Two local chefs have been recruited.
Andrew Johnson commented: "Having a keen eye for business for most of our lives we are happy to be following our dream to maximise the assets we have available to us and provide a future for our two sons. We have a growing customer base and are pleased with the support we have had so far and the growing demand there is for our products. It took a while getting the crocodile farm off the ground but it has all been very worthwhile and we are really pleased with the result. We have invested a lot of time and money into these ventures and it is very rewarding seeing our efforts coming to fruition.
Andrew added: "I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped with the setting up of our businesses and our NatWest Agricultural Manager, Bob Peacock who has recently provided us with £40,000 to help us finish of the crocodile shed. He has always been at the end of the phone offering advice and support just when we need it. Without all this fantastic support these great businesses really would not have happened."
Bob Peacock, NatWest Agricultural Manager, said: "I’m delighted NatWest has been able to support the Johnsons. The farm, tea rooms and of course the crocodile shed looks superb and they have a great product range and offer excellent service to their customers. The restaurant will no doubt prove to be very popular. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Andrew and Tracey and everyone involved with Church Farm all the success for the future."
Bob added: "Earlier this year, NatWest and RBS announced they have made an additional £264 million funding available to SMEs in the East. To date we have led the field in taking applications for the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme, with over £248 million worth of loans already agreed or in the pipeline. Of all EFG lending across the industry, NatWest and RBS are responsible for half of all loans drawn down. And if we are presented with the right information, applications can be processed very quickly. At NatWest and RBS 4 out of 5 EFG loans are processed and drawn down within 3 weeks."
