Hawkes Blueberries Ltd. Steve Gibson Contracting

10/03/2025

Friends, Family, Customers and Former employees,

As we close the books on our 25th blueberry season, we are announcing our difficult but necessary decision to end all operations and say goodbye to Hawkes Blueberries on October 31, 2025. Until this date arrives, we will say our farewells to lifelong customers and transition business and assets to new ownership.

Running Hawkes Blueberries has filled our hearts with memories of great teams, customers, and belly laughs we won't forget. It was an absolute pleasure to run a family business in rural Nova Scotia that provided so many people, from all walks of life, with a job and a family. The list of seasonal employees we've had on harvesters, working the belt, mowing lawns, doing roofs, shoveling snow, driving tractors, and helping around the shop is endless! You were the heart and soul of our success. Our Staff became part of our family, whether you spent a summer or 25 years with us.

We took immense pride in our ability to support our local community. Organizations from Minor Hockey to Junior Hockey, Little League, Church Pancake Fundraisers, the Curling club, Rotary, Ducks Unlimited and everything in between.

The local businesses, friends and family that supported us 24/7 over the past 25 years were crucial to our longevity.

Thank you to everyone - customers, employees, and the community - for your support through the last quarter century, you all are what made Hawkes Blueberries.

Love,

The Gibson Family

09/27/2025

09/19/2025

Restrictions on travel and activities in the woods are lifted in all remaining counties except Annapolis as of 4 p.m. today, September 18.

The change applies to Cumberland, Hants, Lunenburg, Kings, Queens, Shelburne, Digby and Yarmouth counties. Restrictions were lifted in the other nine counties previously.

The restrictions will remain in place in Annapolis County until October 15 – regarded as the end of wildfire season – or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The burn ban remains in place for the entire province until October 15 or until conditions improve further. The fine for violating the woods restrictions or burn ban is $25,000.

09/17/2025

Blueberry, Brie & Thyme Flatbread with Honey

Ingredients:

2 flatbreads or naan

150 g (1 cup) fresh blueberries

150 g (5 oz) brie cheese, sliced

Recipe in First Coʍmеոτ 👇
Enjoy ❤️👇👇

08/25/2025

🚨OUR SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL IS NOW OPEN! 🚨The sunflower festival will be open until September 1st!

Sunflowers are blooming all around the farm! This week will be the perfect opportunity to come and get your beautiful pictures in the field. Check out our new photo op and stay tuned for more photo ops that will be set up within the next few days! ☀️🌻

08/23/2025

Immediate Support Needed for Blueberry Growers

Blueberry growers across Nova Scotia—especially in Cumberland County—are facing one of the toughest seasons in memory. The ongoing drought has led to disastrously low yields, threatening farm incomes, local jobs, and the future of one of Nova Scotia’s most important agricultural sectors.

The recently announced On-Farm Water Management Program may help some farmers prepare for future seasons, but it offers no immediate relief for growers facing losses right now. These farmers can’t wait months for help to arrive—they need emergency financial assistance today.

In the past, both the provincial and federal governments have stepped up with significant support for the wine industry when it faced challenges. Our blueberry industry deserves that same level of commitment. Blueberries are a cornerstone of local food production, rural economic development, and Nova Scotia’s export economy.

If we want to protect our food supply, preserve local jobs, and sustain an industry that brings millions into our province each year, then our governments—provincial and federal—must act with the same urgency and investment they showed for the wine sector.

08/21/2025

08/18/2025

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup fresh wild blueberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 egg yolks
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter until well combined.
Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan to form the crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and the blueberries burst, about 5 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
Spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolks until smooth.
Pour the lemon mixture over the blueberry layer and bake for 15 minutes, or until the lemon layer is set. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.