Terhune Orchards Turns 50: Celebrating New Jersey’s Pioneer in Agritourism and Sustainable Farming

A Family Legacy of Innovation

The Mount family’s journey began in 1975 when Pam and Gary Mount purchased the original 55-acre farm. Over the decades, they expanded their operations, adding new properties, crops, and ventures like the Terhune Winery, which opened in 2010. The winery, managed by Tannwen and her sister Reuwai, has become a beloved addition to the farm, offering wine tastings, live music, and seasonal events.

For Tannwen, the winery was somewhat of a personal passion project. After spending time in California’s wine country, she saw an opportunity to bring a similar experience to her family’s farm. “When I moved back to the farm, we had the chance to plant wine grapes on a new property,” she recalls. "It was a way to create a new revenue stream and involve more family members in the farm. My sister, Reuwai, who’s a scientist, now manages the winemaking and vineyard, while I handle the marketing, sales, and tasting room. It’s truly a family endeavor.”

In 2016, they opened a new winery building, which has become a hub of activity. “We’re bottling wine, fermenting grapes and apple cider, and hosting events like our Weekend Music Series,” Tannwen says. “It’s been a great way to connect with the community and offer something unique.” Today, Terhune offers 18 types of wine, including their very own Apple Wine.

Pioneering Agritourism in New Jersey

Speaking of which, 1975 also marks the first celebration of Terhune’s ‘Apple Day,’ a welcoming event organized by the Mount family and neighbors to invite the community onto the farm—a day not complete without Tannwen’s grandmother’s famous Apple Crisp, Tannwen remarked. At a time when municipal regulations in New Jersey often restricted farmers from bringing the public onto their land or selling homegrown crops directly, Apple Day was one of the earliest examples of farmers proactively opening their doors to celebrate agriculture with their community.

This groundbreaking effort helped lay the foundation for agritourism in the state, long before the supportive legal framework of the Right to Farm Act in 1983 made such ventures more accessible and protected for farmers. What began as a single weekend in September has blossomed into eight fall weekends and inspired numerous festivals throughout the year, including Terhune's Blueberry Bash, Just Peachy Festival, Firefly Festival, and Fall Family Fun Weekends.

“Agritourism has evolved significantly over the past 50 years,” Tannwen notes, and that back in the 70s, “People didn’t really invite the community to be a part of their farm.” 

From its conception, she states, “It’s been a concerted effort to educate the public about who their farmers are and where their food comes from. Agritourism is a fun way to do that, but it takes effort from everyone to open their doors and put a face on the farmers.” ​

A Commitment to Community and NJAS Legacy

As we celebrate Terhune Orchards’ 50th anniversary (officially commemorated with a special gathering on March 6th in the wine barn, featuring remarks from Ed Wengryn, NJ Secretary of Agriculture, and NJ State Senator Shirley Turner), the New Jersey Agricultural Society proudly honors the remarkable contributions of Pam Mount, former dedicated board member whose visionary leadership shaped our organization's core programs and significantly advanced sustainable agriculture across New Jersey.

Pam Mount’s enduring commitment to sustainability and community service is evident not only through her advocacy and leadership at Terhune Orchards but also in her pivotal role in establishing Farmers Against Hunger (FAH) and the Agricultural Leadership Development Program (NJALDP).

“Farmers Against Hunger really started as a transportation problem,” Tannwen explains. “Farmers have 'seconds'—perfectly good produce that might not look perfect—and there are hungry people who need it. My mom wanted to figure out how to bridge that gap. Farmers work incredibly hard growing amazing products, and nobody wants to see their hard work go to waste or hear about kids going hungry. So that's really what drove her to start Farmers Against Hunger.”

Pam was also integral to the founding of the Agricultural Leadership Development Program, designed to empower young agricultural leaders with essential skills and community resources. Tannwen, a graduate of NJALDP Class 5, reflects:

“The program helped me see how important it is to build a support network in agriculture,” she said. “It gave me the tools to get involved, be a good neighbor, and understand how to work with local government. It also gave me practice running meetings, speaking to elected officials, and connecting with other farmers.” (Read more about NJALDP here, currently open to signup for Class 13!)

Looking to the Future

As Terhune Orchards looks ahead, the Mount family remains focused on innovation and community engagement. Plans for the future include new festivals, such as a Strawberry Festival this summer, and the potential introduction of hard cider. The farm also continues to prioritize education, offering school tours, group events, and programs like Read & Pick to connect people of all ages with farming.

“Well, I think we wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't for our regular customers and our neighbors,” Tannwen shared. “We had a woman in just yesterday who comes every week. She said this is her ‘happy place’—she comes and gets her kale, her lettuce, her apples every single week. I have to tell you, we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for people like that customer.”

Here’s to 50 more years of Terhune Orchards—a true New Jersey treasure.

For more information about Terhune Orchards and their 50th-anniversary celebrations, visit their website www.terhuneorchards.com or follow them on social media.