Terrance and Loralee Nennich
Ter-Lee Gardens was started in 1989 by Terry and Loralee Nennich with the goal of providing high-quality, locally-grown produce to customers. The current operation consists of approximately 40 acres in fruit and vegetable production—including 9 acres of strawberries—plus six high tunnels and two greenhouses, split into four marketing divisions: U-pick strawberries, Farmers Markets, a CSA, and wholesale for Farm-to-School and other programs.
Terry was born and raised on a fruit and vegetable farm in southern Michigan and had always hoped to build on his experiences. Upon moving to the Bagley area of Clearwater County in 1988, Terry and Loralee, along with their three children, Terry Jr., Tamilee and Tim, purchased a former dairy farm and began preparations for Terry’s fruit and vegetable farm dream to be realized.
Terry Nennich Sr. is a University of Minnesota Extension Professor Emeritus, having been a fruit and vegetable specialist for the university for over 30 years. He currently serves as the president of the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, along with various consulting projects, in addition to “just” keeping the home farm running. Loralee, having been a substitute teacher for years and a church pianist/organist when and where needed, oversees the Farmers Market and CSA divisions of the operation.
The couple’s oldest son, Terry Jr. is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in agri-business/marketing. He currently works as a field manager of a 700-plus acre wholesale landscape business (Blue Grass) near Indianapolis. He also runs his own small strawberry/vegetable farm. He and his wife, Carrie, have Terry and Loralee’s two grandchildren who have helped for many years during strawberry season. Tamilee, Terry and Loralee’s daughter has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Crookston, a master’s from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D from Washington State University in dairy nutrient management. She is a former professor at Purdue University.
Tamilee is currently a dairy consultant with ADM. She also helps her husband run a 1200+-acre crop and 600+ head dairy beef farm south of St. Cloud. Tim, the youngest son, attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from Walla Walla University in mechanical engineering. He spent over nine years working at Polaris as a design engineer in the motorcycle division and currently works at Tennant Company as a principal engineer.
The Nenniches are proud to have realized their dream of raising their family on a family farm while supplying high-quality produce to northern Minnesota.