From a Peat Bog in Nova Scotia to the Global Stage: Terra Beata Farms on Heckmans Island

In the late 1990s, David and Evelyn Ernst bought a piece of land on Heckmans Island that most people would have passed over: an undeveloped peat bog. For cranberries, though, it was ideal. Today that bog is the heart of Terra Beata Farms, one of the region’s best-known food exporters.

A family farm with global reach

The Ernst family still does the outdoor farm work themselves, and family members take turns running the harvester each fall. Their own bogs grow Stevens cranberries, a variety well suited to the Maritime climate, and the farm also buys fruit from growers across the Maritimes to keep up with demand.

What started as a plan to sell fresh berries to home cooks grew into something much bigger. In 2005 the farm expanded into processing, and Terra Beata now handles millions of pounds of fruit a year. Most of its frozen cranberries are exported to buyers in Europe, Asia and beyond. Evelyn has joked that the brand is better known in Europe than it is in Canada.

More ways to enjoy a cranberry

Close to home, Terra Beata products are on grocery shelves across the country: frozen cranberries, pure juice, lower-sugar dried cranberries, cranberry sauce and more. The company has also expanded into other local fruit, including rhubarb and haskap.

“It’s a chance to be creative because I’m always looking for new ways for people to enjoy cranberries.” – Evelyn Ernst

Growing local jobs

The processing operation employs around 25 people year-round, and federal investment through ACOA has helped the farm add new equipment and cold storage over the years, making it more efficient and competitive on the world stage.

Visit the bog

Each October, Terra Beata opens its bogs for a cranberry u-pick, a rare chance to see a working cranberry farm up close. Products can also be picked up at the farm on weekdays.

Terra Beata’s story shows what’s possible here: a family business, rooted in a small island community, reaching customers around the world.

Find Terra Beata Farms in our business directory, or visit terrabeata.ca. Exploring a farm or food business in our region? Talk to our Economic Development team →