A & L Peterson Orchards & Laura's Pies

     The Peterson Orchards story began in 1911 when Ed and Ivor Peterson, Eric Westman and Anton Swanberg left Saskatchewan for Salmon Arm, having heard of work there (or homestead land in Seymour Arm. The family stories vary). When they arrived, the work was gone, but they were able to exchange labour for housing. The following year they made contracts with Sam Greenwood to clear forty acres of land on what was then known as the Limit, in exchange for forty acres. Each partner got ten acres of land in 1913. The first few fruit trees were planted that year, one of which is still growing. In 1914 Ed married Eric Westman's sister, Mina, and they raised eight children. Over the years Ed Peterson acquired the land that his partners had owned and added more property to his holdings. While mostly a logger, he did plant a small orchard, and, through the late 1920's and early 1930's, became more involved with farming, leasing or buying other blocks of orchard. In the late 30's, his eldest sons bought up some orchard land as well. In 1938 Ed's eldest sons, Hubert and Elmer, bought a Bulldozer and some other equipment. They did custom work, road building, snowplowing and orchard work as Peterson Bros. They then, with their dad and three younger brothers, Alf, Floyd and Hjalmar, officially formed Peterson Bros Co-Op in 1948. In 52 they changed the name to Peterson Bros (Salmon Arm) Ltd, which remained the company name for over fifty years. They also, for many years, operated the John Deere and Homelite dealership in Salmon Arm, based on the 35th St. N.E. property. Hubert and Emer, both self taught mechanics, ran the dealership and shop, Hjalmar did the books and local sales, and Floyd and Alf ran the orchards. In later years they dropped much of the contract work to focus on the farm and dealership. Because the name Peterson Brothers was tied to a specific piece of land, now sold, it is not used anymore. Today Alf is the only surviving brother, and still owns two orchards. Floyd's daughter and son in law, Norma and Bill Harisch, have taken over his orchard and Alf's son & daughter in law, Allan & Laura Peterson have another. In 2007 Allan & Laura started A & L Peterson Orchards and bought Scafri Farms Frozen pies. These are now Laura's Pies, available throughout the region. More recently a juicer was purchased and apple juice is now available, pressed fresh every week.