Fruit Growing and Processing
The Annapolis Valley is renowned across Canada for its apple production, and Coldbrook is at the heart of it. Ravenwoods Farm is a large local grower of apples and farm produce, representing the Valley’s long tradition of fruit growing. The valley’s apple harvest each spring is celebrated at the annual Apple Blossom Festival, one of Nova Scotia’s most beloved traditions.
Scotian Gold Co-operative, headquartered in Coldbrook at 2900 Lovett Road, is the largest apple packing and storage operation in Eastern Canada, managing approximately 60% of Atlantic Canada’s apple production and working with over 50 growers across the Valley.
Equestrian and Livestock
The Coldbrook area has a strong tradition of equestrian and livestock farming.
Hobby Horse Farm, established by George Wade in 1969, is a 700-acre privately owned stable located in Coldbrook that continues to welcome the public. It is one of the longest-running equestrian facilities in the region.
Baxters’ Cattle Company hosts Team Cattle Penning Shows at their grounds on the Cornwallis River on Lovett Road in Coldbrook — a popular local attraction for farming and rodeo enthusiasts.
Farm Markets and Fresh Local Produce
Fall is a spectacular time to visit Coldbrook and the surrounding Annapolis Valley. The harvest season brings an abundance of fresh apples, vegetables, pumpkins, and farm products available directly from local growers and farm markets. While Wolfville draws significant fall tourism traffic, Coldbrook has its own excellent options for fresh local produce right on Highway 1.
Avery’s Farm Market, located at 6976 Highway 1 in Coldbrook, offers a wide selection of fresh local fruits and vegetables grown just minutes from where you shop. The market is wheelchair accessible and known for friendly, knowledgeable staff and great pricing on fresh and organic produce.
Kentville Farmers’ Market, located just minutes from Coldbrook in downtown Kentville, is open year round every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring over 30 vendors with a commitment to 100% local Nova Scotian products, weekly live music, and free children’s art activities during the summer. From May to October the market is held in Centre Square; from mid-October it moves to the Kentville Recreation Centre at 350 Main Street.
Whether you’re picking up fresh apples at a roadside stand, shopping at a farmers’ market, or visiting a local orchard, the Coldbrook area offers an authentic taste of Annapolis Valley agriculture.
The Valley’s Agricultural Heritage
The agricultural traditions of the Annapolis Valley run deep. French Acadians settled in this valley in the early 1600s, making it one of North America’s first European farming regions, and those early settlements laid the foundation for the agricultural way of life that still shapes the area today. Today the Valley supports a diverse range of agricultural operations including fruit orchards, vineyards, vegetable farms, dairy operations, and equestrian facilities.