Bartlett’s Farm West Barnstable – A Family Farm with a Long and Lasting Legacy

In the spring of 2025, Bartlett’s Farm West Barnstable was welcomed to Cape Cod. It is a sibling – or perhaps a cousin – of the original Bartlett’s Ocean View Farm that was incorporated on Nantucket in 1843, with farm operations dating back to 1816. The Nantucket farm is now being run by the fifth and sixth generations of Bartletts. Sixth generation John Bartlett and his wife Sarah Gardner Bartlett – a native Cape Codder – are the owners of Bartlett’s Farm West Barnstable.

Having grown up on Nantucket, I can remember first seeing John’s grandfather, Junie, selling produce on Main Street from the Bartlett’s Farm truck; later, John’s mother Dorothy, and sometimes his father Phil, would be there. After the farm grew larger, all the Bartletts’ hands were needed on deck, so summer farm employees continue the tradition of selling produce and flowers on Main Street from the truck to this day.

John, the second eldest of four Nantucket Bartlett sixth generation siblings, got his degree in Plant Science from Cornell University in 1987 – following in his father’s Cornell footsteps – and has spent at least 50 of his 60 years growing food. So, he’s not only passionate, but very knowledgeable about what is needed for good quality produce and flowers.

He and Sarah met on Nantucket in her capacity as a financial manager. After they married and melded their families – each have two daughters from previous marriages – Sarah commuted back and forth between Cape Cod and Nantucket. This created an incentive to find a Cape location, and the perfect opportunity arose with a property on Route 6A, the former Harvest Moon Farms. Though their daughters are not involved in the farm being scattered around the world, Sarah’s sister, Kathy Gardner Linnell, and brother, Scott Gardner, who has a building company, are an integral part of the blended two-family farm.

John made a leap of faith, leaving a successful family business and the island where he grew up to start over on the Cape with Sarah. It was a brilliant move for them both and a wonderful addition to the mid-Cape. Ironically, he now commutes back and forth a bit, as his expertise is still needed at Bartlett’s Ocean View Farm.

Together John and Sarah are a formidable force, honoring their mantra of “farm first”, farmers who keep their customers in the forefront. “It’s so important for people to see where their food comes from. To see where it’s grown and to provide that personal experience. If a customer comes in and wants something we may have run out of in the farm stand, like carrots, kale or broccoli, Sarah will go right out in the field to harvest it,” John said. Sarah adds, “John and I are both owners and growers, we are the Jack and Jill of all trades and do whatever needs to get done. My sister Kathy is our ‘master of shucking’ – kind of a family joke – but she does shuck at least half the corn we bring in. She is our leader in customer care. Everyone loves her. I am incredibly happy to share this experience with her. She makes me laugh and is up for anything. She and I are the experts in potato harvesting and tending to the strawberries.”

After their first year, John said they have figured the farm out and learned in which areas certain crops grow best on their four-acre farmland which backs up to conservation land. They are especially proud of their organic basil and their “famous Bartlett tomatoes” as well as their lilies. “I’m particularly proud of our Master Grower, my hubs, John,” Sarah added with a smile. They have a good idea of who their customer is: someone looking for fresh produce but also high-quality meats and cheeses and pantry items to complete a meal. They sell all their corn pre-shucked, which can be good news for busy cooks, but I am sure they will accommodate a request for unshucked corn for a family clambake or grilling night.

One integral employee is Nancy Snell, who works in the farm market, helps harvest produce and provides her design sense. She previously owned Edelweiss, a small shop in Centerville. While the farm is closed for the season, they have been moving things around in the farmstand, planning, prepping, repairing and repurposing – like using the stone fireplace as a backdrop for the relocated checkout counter at Nancy’s suggestion – and reorganizing for better flow in the store and on the property. When they reopened this spring, there was a fresh new “country-store” look to the market.

In late March, they attained certified organic status. The property was previously organic, but as new owners, they needed to resubmit and recertify all documents. They also work with Crow Farm to provide customers with things they don’t grow, like apples, for which Crow Farm is well known.

We probably won’t be seeing farm-raised animal products or eggs any time soon. Resale regulations are very strict in Massachusetts for meat, and chickens are kind of a seasonal gambit. They want to concentrate on the best produce possible and add more cut flowers and organic transplants and starters for customers’ gardens.

The farm market carries some home products to make cooking and entertaining easier, as well as gift items like a unique line of Swedish towels crafted from 100% organic cotton and linen that are available at only one other place on Cape Cod. One of these towels, or one of the fresh herb hydroponic grow kits that they also sell, is perfect for a hostess or housewarming gift. And, of course, in the spring and summer, they have pots of annuals and gorgeous bouquets of fresh-cut field flowers.

The Bartletts would like to provide some ready-made items for beach picnics or easy houseguest meals. But with no commercial kitchen at present, their refrigerated section will need to carry items – like chicken salad and potato salad – that are made off premises. Will they host farm dinners? “Oh, we have no shortage of ideas, that’s for sure,” Sarah joked. On several occasions, they circled back to honoring what the farm customer wants, affirming they don’t want to spread themselves too thin as they find the sweet spot for the farm and farm market. This year, attending a farmers’ market, even with 20 summer employees, would take away from getting things done right in the fields and at the farm market.

Nothing goes to waste. In the late summer and early fall they run canning specials for tomatoes and have made weekly donations to veterans’ organizations. When they closed for the season, they donated all products with a short shelf life and any leftover produce – a total value of $8,000 – to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod in Harwich, one of the largest food banks in the state.

They also have a robust and newsy email newsletter with what’s growing, what’s new and what to look forward to in the coming months.

John and Sarah are very open to customers’ requests and suggestions. They really want to know what their shoppers are interested in. This writer hopes her request for a delicious dill-pickle kit will be stocked sometime soon.

They cannot say enough good things about their staff, both inside the market and outside in the fields. The staff is a part of the community on the Cape as well as a resource – which goes both ways – for the new farm owners. As winter neared its bitter end, they were getting texts and calls from their employees asking when they would reopen. “Honestly, I’m just lucky to be able to work on our farm with my family and our wonderful staff. Our days are long and hot and I’m filthy when the sun goes down. However, we are always super excited for the next day at the farm,” Sarah enthused.

Susan Fernald washed ashore from Nantucket in 2004 and joined the Edible Cape Cod family in 2010. She has just finished a memoir about growing up on Nantucket that will be published in late spring of this year. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and lives in Hyannis with her rescue cat Daphne.

Todd Marcus started taking photos as a kid in the ’70s inspired by his dad. His career in professional brewing led to the founding of Cape Cod Beer in 2004 until his retirement in 2025. Todd has since transitioned from amateur to professional photographer with more opportunities to keep his childhood passion alive and growing. A proud father of two sons, Todd lives in Centerville with his lovely wife Beth.

Bartlett’s Farm West Barnstable
2199 Main Street, West Barnstable
bartlettsfarmwestbarnstable.com