Breeden’s Orchard: Our History
Where It All Began
A look at where we’ve been — and where we’re growing!
1970s–2017: The Breeden Era
For over 45 years, Miss Marynell and Mr. Tommy Breeden poured their hearts into the orchard—growing peaches and apples, welcoming school field trips, and baking fried pies that became local legend. More than a business, the orchard was a gathering place where visitors left with full bellies, sweet memories, and a smile.
December 2017: A New Chapter Begins
In 2017, the Dorfman family— longtime owners in the comedy business—took on a new kind of stage: the orchard. Still active in comedy, they brought their energy, creativity, and love of community to farm life, learning peaches, pruning, and pie-making along the way. With plenty of laughter and trial-and-error, they quickly discovered that farming and comedy share the same essentials: patience, creativity, and great timing.
2018–2019: Dreaming Big & Digging In
The Dorfman family focused on enhancing the orchard, clearing three acres to plant peach and apple trees—a long game, but one worth the wait. In 2019, Breeden’s launched a solar project and hosted its first farm-to-table dinner. While protecting the orchard remained top priority, the family a cozy farm kitchen and fresh-baked hand pies with Breeden’s Red Havens and white.
2020: Storms, Setbacks & Starting Over
2020 tested Breeden’s like never before. A tornado tore through Mt. Juliet and the challenges of COVID-19 followed shortly thereafter. Then, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed the orchard’s store. But even in the hardest moments, the Mt. Juliet community supported the orchard as the Dorfman family started the process of rebuilding. Though the year brought heartbreak, it was a powerful reminder that Breeden’s represents an important part of this community.
2021–2022: Resilience, Replanting & Really Good Peaches
With Breeden’s store out of commission, the team made do with a carport—and somehow, the peach crop thrived. It was a season of showing up, making do, and reconnecting with our community under the simplest of shelters. The family replanted Grove 1, kept the deer at bay with everything from soap to coyote urine (yes, really!), and found surprise white peaches in Grove 2. Every harvest encouraged the team to keep digging in.
2023–2024: Rebuilding Roots & Rethinking the Orchard
These years witnessed the opening of the new store, replanting groves, and finding a new rhythm at Breeden’s. With a new bakery, the orchard introduced hand-made pies, donuts, and other new favorites. The team also expanded Breeden’s educational programming including a revamped field trip program, orchard tours, and seasonal classes.
The orchard continued to thrive with new Grove 3 plantings and extensive pruning of Grove 4.
2025 and Beyond
Breeden’s remains focused on providing an authentic Tennessee agricultural experience for guests and growing the best peaches in Nashville. The team is also focused on expanding our apple orchard and welcoming more families to learn about the orchard and connect with nature!
