Our Story
Where a dream, a quarter-section of land, and a love for heritage farming came together.
In 2009, Tannis and her husband purchased a quarter-section of hilly, treed pasture in central Alberta. They built their home, repaired the old outbuildings, and spent countless hours stretching new fences across the land. From the beginning, Tannis felt they had found the perfect place to build a life connected to nature.
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Her journey into beekeeping began in 2017 after completing a course at NAIT. She brought home her first hive that spring and, like many new beekeepers, experienced both challenges and triumphs in those early years. Today, her small apiary typically ranges from two to four hives and has become a source of both learning and joy.
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Another long-held dream took shape in 2018 when Tannis and her son, Clay, purchased their first Highland heifers. She remembers watching them step off the trailer—stocky, shaggy, and undeniably beautiful—and feeling emotional at the sight. She had admired this heritage breed for years, and their arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter on the farm.
A look at how Three Son Acres has grown over time.
2009
Purchased the land and began building our homestead
2017
Started the apiary with our first hive
2018
Welcomed our first Highland heifers
2020
Purchased our first proven bull and expanded the fold
2021 to Present
Fold grew to 23 animals; began offering registered Highlands for sale
Raising Highland Cattle
Highland cattle have always held a special place in Tannis’s heart. Their hardiness, gentle dispositions, and incredible longevity make them a truly unique heritage breed. When she purchased her first two heifers, she knew she wanted to raise them with intention and honour their history.
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At Three Son Acres, cattle are bred only after two years of age so they can fully mature before calving. They graze native pasture through the warm months, receive supplemental minerals, and are fed local hay throughout Alberta’s winters. Tannis visits the fold daily, combing, petting, and assessing each animal closely. That hands-on routine is an essential part of keeping them sound, healthy, and calm.
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In recent years, the fold has grown steadily, and Tannis is now proud to offer Highlands registered through the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation. This year marks the first time she has a heifer available for sale, and last spring she sold a beautiful bull calf, “McDavid,” to a wonderful home.
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Her newest goal is to halter-train and show her Highlands in local cattle shows so more people in the community can appreciate this remarkable breed.
Beekeeping at Three Son Acres
The apiary at Three Son Acres remains intentionally small. Tannis uses traditional beekeeping methods, inspecting each hive by hand and managing every step of the harvest herself. From pulling frames to extracting and bottling the honey, every jar is crafted with care.
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The bees forage on the wildflowers that grow across the pasture and woodlands, giving the honey its distinctive flavour. The apiary is registered with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and Tannis is committed to practices that support strong colonies and healthy overwintering.
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Every batch is small. Every jar is unique. And every season brings its own flavour and story.
Stewardship of the Land
Three Son Acres rests on native pasture and aspen woodland, and we feel a deep responsibility to care for both. Our farming practices focus on balance: giving the cattle space to roam, protecting wildlife habitat, and preserving the natural grasses and flowers our bees rely on.
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We see ourselves not just as farmers, but as stewards of a place that deserves to be cared for, protected, and passed down with love.