4th Generation Farmers
For over a century, our family has been deeply rooted in farming traditions of Old Hurst, Cambridgeshire.
Originating as a dairy farm, our legacy has blossomed into a diverse establishment including a butchers, farm shop, delightful tea room, steakhouse, and even a captivating zoo.
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Throughout our journey, a profound commitment to conservation has driven our family's fascination with crocodiles, nurturing a bond that spans two decades.
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At Johnsons of Old Hurst, our unwavering mission is to provide people of all ages and backgrounds with a unique opportunity to engage with animals and livestock, fostering a deeper appreciation for their vital role in our environment.
Our Values
We are passionate about sustainability, education and conservation. We want to improve the understanding of why traditional farming methods such as grazing on our permanent pasture and protecting our established woodland, play a crucial role in the conservation of native wildlife.
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Conservation has led our family to have a particular fascination with crocodiles. We have cared for and been involved with these incredible animals for the past 2 decades including Andy (Johnson) participating in the composing of a European published dossier on the farming, welfare and husbandry of crocodilians. Crocodile ranching (farming) has been successful in the recovery of the conservation status of many crocodilian species. It also provides a sustainable alternative to the overfishing of our oceans which is currently unsustainable. We are hoping to continue to develop our crocodile farm here at Johnsons of Old Hurst to be a part of this remarkable conservational effort. If action is taken quickly there is still time to recover the damage that has been done to our oceanic biodiversity.
Alongside the conservational benefits of crocodile ranching, there has been successful research into the medicinal benefits associated with crocodilian biological components. We hope our venture can assist with the furthering of this research, looking into the next generation of antibiotics, medicines and vaccines.
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The carbon intake from the 12.5 acres of established woodland and 164 acres of permanent pasture, on which we graze our own herd of cattle, deer and buffalo surpasses the output of carbon from our business.
This means we can declare that we are a carbon neutral farm.
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