with Alyson Terrel

In 2002, when my parents Curt and Christina Wideman purchased a ten-acre orchard in Nolensville, me and my twin sister, both of us twenty-three at the time, asked them “What in the heck do you two know about farming?” Our father, Curt, was born and raised in Louisiana, (lower Alabama, as he would proudly say), while our mother, Christina, came from Orange County, California. The two met in California in 1974 and had three children together. They traveled the world as a part of Curt’s construction management job. Their first move was in 1980,when my sister and I were just a few months old. 

 

Over the years, our family called at least twelve states and two other countries “home.” Due to all this moving, our family was tight-knit and we became comfortable always being the new kids in town. From the time I was a young girl, I had wanted to be in music so when it came time to decide on a college, the sweet sound of the Recording Industry Management Program at Middle Tennessee State University called my name. Not ready to split up just yet, my twin Andrea joined me, and together, we drove 2,000 miles to yet another new start and another new home. Both of us found success in our careers, forging our own paths and finding our own gifts. 

 

Meanwhile, our Dad, who had spent over twenty-five years with the same company, was starting to desire more. My sister and I were so happy in Tennessee and both our parents longed to get out of California, so they packed it up and headed to Nashville. They purchased the orchard at auction in 2002 and the road to farming began.

 

In September 2016, I had been working as the Vice-President of Operations and Software Development at a medical software company in Brentwood when the company was sold. Knowing I didn’t fit the culture of the new company; I submitted my notice and turned my focus to putting together the final details of my November wedding. On November 11, 2016, the day before I was married, my father Curt was diagnosed with Stage Four Bile Duct Carcinoma, and our entire family’s lives drastically changed. Four months later, he was called home. Not wanting the farm to close, I asked my mom if she wanted to keep the place open and thankfully, she did. We spent the next five years building the business together until 2021 when my mom retired. In 2022, I finally convinced my twin, Andrea, to leave her social work job of seventeen years and she joined the orchard full time in 2023. Andrea is now the Events Director at the Orchard, curating intimate experiences like Mimosas with Mom, Sisters & Cider, Painting in the Orchard, Yoga Retreats, Picnics in the Orchard and more. Together my sister and I are bringing new life to the wish that our father had, to have a family-owned and operated business. You must experience the wonder and magic that permeates this special Orchard. You can learn more about the family legacy and book your event by visiting our website morninggloryorchard.com