When Kim and George Reeves bought their property in 2004, they had no idea that it would eventually become a thriving lavender farm.
“We decided one day that we’d like to have some property, and we wanted to have some animals,” Kim said. “We came here and found this and it all kind of evolved.”
Before deciding that lavender was the right crop for them, they tossed around other ideas. First, they looked at growing grapes and making it a vineyard but said they shut that idea down quickly. They then looked into cut flowers but realized a lot of other folks were already doing that.
Through research they realized that not very many other farmers in the area were growing lavender.
“Probably one of the reasons is that it’s hard as heck!” George explained. “But the nice thing about the lavender is, not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but we harvest it, and we distill it and that’s how we make all of our products.”
In the fields dedicated to lavender cultivation, the couple works together to grow, harvest and prune 2,100 plants by hand, with a number of different varieties represented.
The total farm is just under 20 acres, but much of that is not open to the public or involved in their lavender operation. George also grows hay on the farm, which they sell to other farmers and use to feed their own growing menagerie of animals.
If you visit the farm, you might be immediately greeted by Isabella and Tucker, Field & Flock’s two canine ambassadors. The rest of the crew that puts the Flock in their name – their horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, an emu, and a llama – are not considered part of the public experience. You may, however, catch a glimpse of them from a distance during your visit.
Kim recently retired from the Margate School District where she was an elementary school teacher. George is still working as a civil engineer. Somehow, they’ve also found time to turn their working farm property into a visually stunning retreat with beautiful lavender fields, an inviting space perfect for relaxing and small events, and to create amazing multi-use lavender products.
In their converted horse barn is where they dry and distill the lavender and have a beautiful, quaint and of course heavenly-scented shop set up to sell the products that they make.
George taught himself about the distillation process through research and by being in touch with a master distiller. Since starting five years ago, and quickly realizing that in order to keep up with the supply of distilled lavender needed for their products, they have expanded their production set-up each year. They now have three 15-gallon copper distillers. In the process they produce both lavender essential oil and hydrosol. Hydrosol is a water-based product with trace amounts of essential oil.
“There are so many remarkable uses for the lavender hydrosol,” Kim shared. “It’s a natural bug repellent, a deodorizer, it takes the itch out of things like poison ivy and bug bites, and I use it to clean the counters and showers.”
They make all their own products with the distilled lavender except for some culinary items. A local company called “That’s My Jam” makes lavender jam and simple syrup, while Auburn Winery in Pilesgrove makes two wines with their distilled culinary lavender.
In addition to offering tours of the farm and selling the products they make, the couple offers learning opportunities for those interested in growing and distilling lavender. Their “Lavender Bootcamp” is geared toward more serious growers and their “Lavender Academy” is for more basic backyard enthusiasts.
They are excited to watch the farm tourism and product sales grow. As for events, the farm is the perfect setting for date nights, showers, and even things like group yoga.
“Right now we are just looking for different ways to grow our business,” Kim said.
The farm is at a transition time right now. At the time of this printing most of the lavender harvesting is underway. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or at www.fieldandflocklavenderfarm.com to find out the best times to visit the farm and their shop, but be sure to check them out in person if you can — a sight and smell you do not want to miss — and online for all of their amazing lavender products!
