Our Story
Rooted in tradition, grown with love — our story is one of family, hard work, and a deep connection to the land we call home.
Welcome to Rea’s Farm
Family-owned and rooted in tradition, Rea’s Farm is a working farm and market in West Cape May, NJ, offering fresh local produce, seasonal events, U-pick experiences, and more. We’re passionate about growing food, building community, and creating a place where everyone feels at home.
Shifting Seasons: From Wholesale to Preservation (1980s–1990s)
When large-scale bean contracts were canceled, the Reas like many American farmers faced new economic pressures. Instead of selling out, they chose preservation. In 1999, the farm entered the NJ Farmland Preservation Program and began leasing birding rights to NJ Audubon. This helped protect the land while expanding its purpose.
The Beanery & Beyond (1990s–Today)
The farm is now home to NJ Audubon’s “Beanery,” a top birdwatching site in the state, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The Reas also launched Rea’s Farm Market, offering fresh-picked produce, famous lima beans, flowers, honey, and handmade goods like jellies, soaps, and seasonal sheep’s milk ice cream.
With hayrides, U-pick flowers, fall festivals, and educational tours, the farm is a hub for both locals and visitors—welcoming new generations to experience the rhythm of life on a working farm.
A Family Legacy
Rea Farm has spanned five generations of resilience, innovation, and love for the land. Though the farm lost its leader Leslie Charles Rea and his daughter Missy just shy of its 100th year, it is now managed by Diane Rea, Carol Rea Flynn, and her children Kaitlyn and Tyler Flynn, along with Kelly Keppel.
Together, they carry forward the spirit of those who came before, committed to preserving this treasured land for generations to come.
Honoring Over 100 Years of Farming Tradition
Rea’s Farm is proud to be recognized with the New Jersey Agricultural Society Century Farm Award, a distinction honoring farms that have been continuously family-owned and operated for over 100 years. This award reflects our deep roots in Cape May County and our commitment to preserving the legacy, values, and hard work passed down through generations. Every crop we plant and every season we welcome is a testament to the dedication of those who came before us—and to the vibrant agricultural future we continue to cultivate.
Meet Our Furry and Feathered Friends
Bonnie
The Pig
Clyde
The Pig
Chester
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Cinnamon Queens
The Chickens
Strawberry Fields
The Lamb
Creamsicle
The Lamb
Get a Taste of Farm Life
Dig In, Slow Down, and Savor the Season
At Rea’s Farm, we believe good things grow from the ground up—fresh produce, strong community, and lasting memories. Our family-run farm in West Cape May, NJ is more than just rows of crops and barn doors; it’s a place where tradition meets experience, and every visit connects you to the land.
Whether you're here for U-pick strawberries, a hayride through the fields, or a cozy Friday night with live music and local eats, you’ll find something real, rooted, and refreshing.
Come get your hands dirty (in the best way) and enjoy a true taste of farm life—grown with care and shared with love.
Finding Your Way to Rea's Farm
We’re always happy to hear from you! Visit us, give us a call, or stop by the farm stand we’d love to welcome you.
📍 400 Stevens St. West Cape May, NJ 08204
Hours: Open Daily: Good Friday - Christmas
Sunday - Thursday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
The Beginning: Propeller Dairy
(1922–1940s)
In 1922, George Clinton Rea and Mary Catherine Brennan purchased farmland on Stevens Street in West Cape May, NJ. With their children, they established a dairy farm that became known as the “Propeller Dairy” after a plane crashed on the property. Cows, pigs, chickens, and a self-sustaining homestead laid the foundation for what would become a legacy.
Growing Into the Lima Bean Capital (1940s -1960s)
George and Mary’s son, Leslie Hyatt Rea, expanded the farm’s crops especially lima beans. By the 1950s, the Reas were farming over 1,000 acres of lima beans in sandy loam soil, contributing to Cape May County’s title as the Lima Bean Capital of the World. The nutrient-rich vines also supported a growing herd of Black Angus cattle.
Livestock, Legacy, and Recognition (1950s–1980s)
Leslie Charles Rea inherited the farm and diversified further—raising cattle, sheep, chickens, hogs, and race horses. In 1968, he was named New Jersey’s Outstanding Young Farmer. Alongside his wife Diane and brother Ernie, he focused on lima beans, corn, and hay while raising daughters Missy and Carol—both deeply involved in 4-H and farm life.
Our Farm Philosophy
