Person riding a horse in a vast open field with mountains in the distance under a blue sky.

Nestled between the mountains in the Annapolis Valley is the beginning of Cardinal Valley Farm.

Our dream from the outset has been to create a business that combines two passions: woodworking and gardening. We have been operating the woodworking side for a few years now, and with the recent purchase of a small farm, we are starting to plan the farm's foundation. Cardinal Valley Farm is a first-generation farm, but it is enriched with generational history.

Thomas is spearheading the farm. The green thumb is strong in his family: his grandfather ran a successful fruit farm in Granville Beach specializing in peaches and pears, while his grandmother was a keen, award-winning gardener in Granville Ferry.

Child on a ladder reaching for something in a garden with an adult nearby
Woman and child gardening together in a garden with flowers and plants.
Three people standing next to a Ford tractor in an orchard.
Close-up of a ram with large horns in a snowy landscape
Child playing outdoors with an adult near a wooden structure.
Man standing behind a table with produce in a barn setting, featuring 'Strawberry Hill Farm' sign.

Rilla spent her early years on a hobby farm with sheep and chickens. Her grandparents sold preserves and breads through Strawberry Hill Farms, which held a stall at the Annapolis Royal Farmers Market. Family members tell us that Rilla’s grandmother used to buy peaches from Thomas’s grandparents’ farm to make jams and jelly.

About the Farm

Cardinal ValleyFarm will be a market farm specializing in a variety of vegetable and fruit crops operating in Annapolis County between Upper Granville and Granville Beach. The farm will include a seasonal shop to sell fresh produce and local goods by others. We also envision a small café with patio seating. Looking even further down the road, we may expand to provide a rentable event space on the farm. (It’s important to dream big!)

We want to put community first and offer community-supported agriculture (CSA) options for interested members. Please stay tuned for more on CSA opportunities and other progress updates.