Terhune Orchards grows more than 35 crops on 200 acres of preserved farmland in Lawrence Township in Central New Jersey. Of the farm’s 185 acres, about half are devoted to its orchards. The farm grows about 30 varieties of apples, 28 varieties of peaches and seven varieties of pears. In 2005 co-owner Gary Mount was awarded National Apple Grower of the Year. Terhune promises more than apples, though; the farm also grows lettuce and squash, broccoli and Brussel sprouts, rosemary, thyme and even grapes. Terhune now has eight acres of certified organic land under cultivation and a winery with its own tasting room on the farm.
Owners Gary and Pam Mount bought Terhune Orchards in 1975. Over the past 35 years they’ve planted more orchards, expanded their store, started and then enlarged their bakery, modernized the cider-making operation, built a greenhouse and a winery. Despite all those changes, the Mounts have never lost their focus on strengthening the community and welcoming the public to their farm. Each year Terhune hosts a number of farm festivals, free activities and classes, as well as educational tours. The Mounts are also active in a number of local leadership roles; perhaps most notably, Pam Mount was Lawrence Township mayor in 2001 and 2005. Today daughter Tannwen, who is integral to Terhune’s operation, is the 10th generation of Mounts to farm full-time in Central New Jersey.