Gary and Pam Mount, Mercer County fruit and vegetable farmers, were honored February 5 with Distinguished Service Citations at the New Jersey Agricultural Convention held in Cherry Hill.
“Pam and Gary Mount are vocal, energetic advocates for New Jersey Agriculture who consistently give of themselves to improve and promote the industry,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus. “They lead by example with their innovative thinking, setting trends in the industry in their interactions with the public.”
Since 1975, the Mounts have owned and operated Terhune Orchards in Lawrence Township, which now consists of 185 acres growing 36 different fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Fifty-five of those acres have been in the Farmland Preservation Program since 1984, part of 2,500 contiguous preserved acres in Lawrence Township.
Terhune Orchards offers educational programs and farm tours. It attracts a half million visitors a year.
Gary Mount was born in Princeton and graduated from Princeton University and served in the Peace Corps as an agricultural agent, along with Pam as newly married volunteers. He participated in the development and growth of the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, and he has been a leader with the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association, which fostered the revitalization of the apple industry for the introduction of more efficient production systems.
Pam also is from Princeton, garnering a B.A. degree from Lake Erie College. In the Peace Corps, she served as a volunteer teacher. Active in the New Jersey Agricultural Society, she helped initiate such programs as the Agricultural Leadership Development Program, Farmers Against Hunger, and School Gardens. Pam served as Lawrence Township Mayor in 2001 and 2005, and continues to serve on the town council.
“The Mounts are part of a proud group of capable, hard-working leaders honored over the years for their efforts to keep New Jersey’s agriculture green and growing,” said Secretary Kuperus. “We thank them for all of their contributions and wish them continued success in the future.”
Princeton High School’s a cappella group, “Around Eight,” entertained more than 400 participants at this year’s Community Works conference, held on January 28 at Princeton University.
Community Works is designed to support the partnership between volunteers and non-profit agencies by addressing three key elements of success: networking, increasing awareness of community resources, and training.
“Around Eight” consists of sophomores, juniors and seniors who audition annually and who are already members of the PHS Choir. The group has a repertoire ranging from traditional madrigals to the latest in contemporary pop-rock music, and regularly performs at various events throughout the Princeton area.
The group is run completely by its student members, who organize performances, and arrange and teach music. The group is available for private engagements. For additional information, contact Courtney Shaw or John Yi at thisisjohnyi@gmail.com or call (609) 477-4432.
For more information on Community Works, visit www.princetoncommunityworks.org or call (609) 924-8652 or (609) 430-9740.