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Horsing Around the Barn

Know a horse-loving child that would enjoy making new two- and four-legged friends and hanging out in the barn? Beginner horseback riding lessons, summer horse camp, hands-on educational programs – we’ve got lots of opportunities for kids to make new friends, promote their love of animals, and increase their self esteem and sense of responsibility & perseverance.  Not sure if horses are for you? Let us know you’re coming and join us for a PonyPals meeting. Or, we can meet you at the barn one day to introduce you to our ponies … they always love visitors. There’s lots of benefits to becoming involved in equine activities!

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Our PonyPals Program …

Want to learn more about horses, their care, and handling?  PonyPals is a year-round program held at our barn in Washington, NJ for young horse lovers. You don’t need to own a horse, or pony, to join!  

PonyPals is not all about ponies as the name suggests … PonyPals is our “club” for horse lovers and young equestrians that develops leadership, confidence, and a sense of community through a program that teaches the care and handling of both horses and ponies. PonyPals is a fun group for young horse lovers, allowing them to make friends while learning and growing their equine knowledge alongside others through hands-on learning.  Consider joining us – meetings are monthly. New members meet at the barn on the second Thursday of each month.

Barn Time …

Once they pass our equine safety program, PonyPals members and riding lesson students are welcome to join us for weekly Barn Time. Just what the name implies, Barn Time is time in the barn (or arena) grooming, handling, and/or working with the horses and ponies.

Kids love Barn Time, especially in winter when the weather often prevents consistent riding lessons and other barn activities.

Winter and spring Barn Time is held on Saturday mornings. Summer and fall Barn Time is held on Thursday evenings.

Horseback Riding Lessons …

Beginner horseback riding lessons are available for kids age 6 and up, as well as adults of all ages. Haven’t ridden before? No problem … we specialize in individualized western beginner horseback riding lessons! Each lesson is customized to the riding level of each rider.

Although lessons can be scheduled weekly, spring through fall, winter lessons are subject to the weather and arena footing. Since our lesson schedule will vary from season to season, please contact us to schedule your first lesson.

Summer Camp …

Join us at the farm for Horse Camp and we’ll learn all about horses and explore the barn together … we offer three weeks of Horse Camp! Horse Camp kids will learn all about horse safety, care, handling, and how to ride. They’ll give horses a bath, learn how to shave and clip a horse, learn to saddle up on their own, and develop personal relationships with their favorite horses in the barn!

Our Horse Camp is very hands-on and is limited to 8 riders, so be sure to sign up early for your week of choice!

Although  our PonyPals Program does not formally include horseback riding or mounted lessons, riding lessons are available at the farm at an additional cost. Our program was designed this way to keep membership costs reasonable for all, while offering additional riding activities for those who desire them.

Want more information? Give us a call 732.986.6816 or email us! Cindy@VonThunFarms.com

Season Passes & Family Fun

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Von Thun’s Season Passes …

Von Thun’s Season Passes are valid at BOTH Von Thun’s Farm locations …
Our 2025 Calendar of Events will be available in April – we have six months of farmtastic fun planned for you!

505 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 (Middlesex County)
Includes weekend admission to Strawberry Festival, Fall Festivals, Columbus Day activities, & Moonlight Corn Maze. They also serve as your picking pass (no produce included). 

438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882 (Warren County)
Includes weekend admission to Strawberry Festival, The New Jersey Sunflower Trail, Sunflower Festivals, Fall Festivals, and Columbus Day activities. They also serve as your picking pass (no produce included). 

Why should you buy a Season Pass?

Well, besides the fact that VonThun’s is an awesome place to be?!

-If you plan to attend VonThun’s various events (spring, summer, &/or fall) throughout the year.
-If you have small children who can only visit for short periods of time.
-Pass includes free admission to all available weekend activities & attractions (except the pony rides, face painting, corn cannons, & pumpkin blaster).
-If you love all our activities & attractions and want to come back over and over again.
-If you plan to participate in farm u-pick activities … Season Pass holders receive free access to the u-pick fields & do not need to purchase Picking Passes to access the fields (does NOT include free fruit or pumpkins).

How it works …

  • Season Passes, once purchased, are valid at both our South Brunswick (Middlesex Co.) and Washington (Warren Co.) farm locations.
  • Weekend pony rides, face painting, corn cannons, & apple blasters require an additional fee.
  • There are no free berries, apples, pumpkins, or other crops associated with a Season Pass.
  • Season Passes are purchased for individuals … they are not transferable among friends or family members.
  • The Season Pass holder will have their photo taken during their first visit to the farm. During subsequent visits, all they’ll have to do is provide their last name OR QR Code on one of the passes to get checked in.
  • Kids are free until they’re 3!
  • The Season Pass is non-transferable to other people.
  • Season passes may not be used for classroom field trips.
  • Season Passes are valid for farm admission events only. Season Passes are not valid for classes, horse activities, camp, or kids programs.

Season Pass purchase info …

  • A Season Pass is $59.99 per person; admission is required for ages 3 & older. This cost is for all individuals; children, adults, and senior citizens.
  • Season Passes are valid for one calendar year, January through December of the year purchased.
  • Season Passes can be purchased for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, & other promotional events at https://vonthunsfarms.ticketspice.com/season-passes-2025
  • Season passes can also be purchased at our farm markets throughout the season.

Have questions?

Email Cindy@VonThunFarms.com and we’ll be happy to answer your questions!

Donation Requests

Donation Requests

There’s no shortage of donation requests that come in from worthwhile community organizations to our farm. While we’re a very community-oriented businesses, it’s not feasible to accommodate the hundreds of requests we receive annually. See below for our donation process and to determine if your organization is eligible for an in-kind donation from our farm. We also have a few different fundraiser options that we would love to partner with you on!

In-Kind Donations

Have a Tricky Tray or Silent Auction event coming up and looking for prizes? We have a limited number of family four-pack tickets to our Strawberry Festivals, Sunflower Trail Weekends, and Fall Festivals that we are able to donate every year. In order for your organization to be considered for a donation you must be:

  1. A registered 501(c)3 nonprofit with the IRS
  2. Within 20 miles from either our So. Brunswick or Washington farm location

If you are interested in an in-kind donation of tickets, fill out our Donation Form and email it to emma@vonthunfarms.com along with your tax exempt certificate. Donation requests submitted via USPS will not be honored. You must submit your request digitally via email. We will get back to you within 5 business days. Most donations are sent digitally, so you must have color printing capabilities.

Spring: Plant Sale Fundraiser (So. Brunswick ONLY)

This is a great fundraiser option for local groups, and the best time to do it is right before Mother’s Day! Let us know which items you would like to purchase- 4″ potted annuals, 4″ veggie plants, 8″ premium hanging baskets – and their quantities. We’ll give you a discounted price for the wholesale order and you can sell them at face value. You keep the difference and put it towards your fundraising goal. Visit our Plant Sale Fundraiser Program page for more information and tips on hosting a successful fundraiser.

Delivery is only available within a 20 mile radius of So. Brunswick so please keep that in mind when considering this option!

Summer: Sunflower Trail Ticket Sale

Eligible organizations may purchase tickets to the New Jersey Sunflower Trail in bulk at a reduced rate and you and your organization can sell them to supporters at face value ($14.99). You keep the difference as your fundraising proceeds. While this option is available to organizations near either of our farm locations, it’s important to note that the sunflower trail is ONLY available at our Washington, NJ location.

  • Sunflower trail ticket fundraisers can be held April – July (order forms must be turned into the farm by July 15th) and tickets must be physically picked up at the farm
  • Tickets from the fundraiser must be redeemed at the trail in the year they are purchased – NO EXCEPTIONS
  • A minimum of 25 tickets must be purchased for the fundraiser in order to be eligible

If you are interested in hosting a sunflower trail ticket sale to benefit your organization, please email emma@vonthunfarms.com for the order form and other fundraiser guidelines.

Fall: Fall Festival Ticket Sale

Similar to our Sunflower Trail fundraiser, eligible organizations may purchase tickets to our Fall Festival Weekends (September weekends ONLY) in bulk at a reduced rate and you and your organization can sell them to supporters at face value ($19.99). You keep the difference as your fundraising proceeds. This option is available to organizations near either of our farm locations.

  • Fall Festival ticket fundraisers can be held April – August (order forms must be turned into the farm by August 15th) and tickets must be physically picked up at the farm
  • Tickets from the fundraiser may ONLY be used during our September Fall Festival Weekends
  • A minimum of 25 tickets must be purchased for the fundraiser in order to be eligible

If you are interested in hosting a Fall Festival ticket sale to benefit your organization, please email emma@vonthunfarms.com for the order form and other fundraiser guidelines.