Pearson's Berry Farm History

Welcome to Pearson's Berry Farm. We are a family owned and operated Saskatoon Berry U-Pick farm situated in the peaceful parkland setting of the Red Deer River valley. Only 90 minutes from Calgary and 40 minutes from Red Deer our farm is a great place to visit. We are open from July 1 through the September long weekend from, Tuesday to Sunday (and holiday Mondays) 10 am to 6 pm.

In 1969 the first Saskatoon Berry tree was planted on Pearson's Berry Farm by Len and Joyce Pearson. This was the first of many saskatoon bushes, making Pearson's Berry Farm the first commercial grower of Saskatoon Berries in the world. Over the years the operation has grown from a u-pick to include the production of low sugar Pearson Saskatoon Berry Spreads and award winning Saskatoon Berry Pies. Other products include delicious tarts, marvelous Saskatoon Berry syrup and even Saskatoon Berry cider. The original log house built over 60 years ago is now home to Pearson's Cafe.

In 1993 Duane and Debbie Mertin purchased the Pearson's Berry Farm. Len and Joyce were ready to retire, and wanted to be sure they sold the farm to someone who had a love for agriculture, farming and most important - the customer. Duane and Debbie have nurtured the orchard over the many years since they bought it, and have added a number of varied products to the Pearson's Berry Farm brand.

The saskatoon is a member of the apple family and is found growing wild in open woods, along stream banks and on dry slopes. The word saskatoon comes from the Cree word mis-sask-quah-too-min. Saskatoons were very important to the Native peoples of Western Canada providing food and medicine. The berries were used in stews and pemmican.