Our Story
Welcome to Rymer Farm!
Nestled in the heart of East Anglia, we’re a lively, family-run business that’s been thriving for nearly 100 years across four generations of Rush farmers.
Arriving at Rymer!
Our family’s time at Rymer Farm started with quite an adventure nearly 100 years ago. In Michaelmas of 1925, my grandfather, Joe Rush, gathered his livestock and horses and prepared to leave his father’s farm in Bradfield St George.
Travelling on horseback, he herded his animals across the 12 mile stretch to the historic Euston Estate, of which Rymer Farm is part of. Joe soon took over the farm’s tenancy from Duke Alfred, the 8th Duke of Grafton, and began our family’s journey here at the farm!
Changing owners…
Joe farmed at Rymer for many years, and developed a successful business supplying vegetables to the London markets during World War II. When Nigel Rush, my father, took over in 1964, he threw himself into the business my grandfather had worked hard to create, establishing a roaring farm shop and developing his passion for beef cattle.
Having helped on the farm from a young age, I grew up inspired by the innovative drive my family operated with. I was drawn to the opportunity to proudly continue the family business, but also to the creative freedom of farming.
I had the unique chance to call the beautiful Suffolk landscape my workplace, whilst also being able to give back to my local community both with delicious produce and plenty of employment opportunities
However, by the time I took over in 1997, the farm shop was long gone, and Rymer was just an arable farm and deploying onto two staff members. With no livestock, or alternative source of business, I found myself thinking – what next?
The big switch!
After focusing solely on crop production for the past few years, I decided it was time to shake things up a bit. I wanted a sustainable way to flourish within a new line of farming, and the high welfare of the free-range egg industry was becoming increasingly attractive.
So, in 2005, we opened our doors to 12,000 new neighbours who flew in and quickly made themselves at home, and were a welcome addition to the family!
In the beginning, the hens were split into two flocks. We were supplying all of our eggs to the national packer Noble Foods, who packed and sold the eggs onto various supermarkets throughout the UK.
As the demand for locally produced and supplied produce was rapidly increasing, in 2009 we decided to take the leap and fly solo.
We built our very own packing factory and immediately gained both British Lion Code and RSPCA assurance, ensuring that our customers could trust we were producing the highest quality eggs from healthy, free-range hens.
We began packing eggs for retail and other local food businesses in the East Anglian Region under the brand ‘I Got Laid Today’ – this certainly raised our profile!
In 2011, we felt it was time for another change – and out popped the Rymer Farm Eggs brand which you’ll find on the shelves today!
As of 2021, we have 32,000 hens split across 5 flocks located around the farm. Our eggs can now be found in Asda, Tesco, and, most recently, the East of England Co-op stores – click here to find out more about why we have been nominated for the Co-op Local Producer of the Year!
As we got bigger, we also went smaller!
In 2012, we decided to sell our eggs as close to the farm doors as possible. After a few days of hammering and sawing in the workshop, we were delighted to open our very own egg hut!
In the beginning, we were selling only a handful of boxes a day. However, as word spread and customers became hungrier for our eggs, the hut grew bigger and bigger. It now holds two large fridges that stock over 50 half-dozen boxes and 20 trays of eggs at a time, with queues going back to the farm gate!
Elsewhere on the farm…
Crop production
Half of our land is still used for crop production – we harvest many different wholesome crops, including premium wheat for bread, maize for renewable energy, and barley for beer!
Activities
There is also an activity centre with quad-biking and clay-pigeon shooting, which is popular with families and groups.
Livestock
We rent some land out to a local pig farmer, making us home to over 1,000 breeding sows and several tame horses. We even have a peacock or two living with us at the farmhouse!
What’s next?
Rymer Farm Trees LTD
We’re working towards establishing a nursery at Rymer Farm to grow young trees with local provenance that can be used to build new woodlands. We are excited to support the huge demand for new woodland to help the environment we continuously rely on.
Richer Golden Yolk
We are always listening to our customers’ feedback, and due to increased demand for a premium quality product we have developed our Richer Golden Yolk line. These deluxe eggs are perfect for creating top quality dishes such as wonderfully vibrant pasta , or simply for a scrumptious plate of scrambled eggs! Available in pre-packs in East of England Co-op stores, or contact us for a 5 dozen catering pack.
