Olamina Commons is an emerging, cooperatively-stewarded place for urban food forest, market garden experimentation and “third place” gathering.
In 2026, we are opening a Land Steward Program for people local to Winston Salem who are experienced in tending the land, growing food, permaculture or eco-landscape design. This is an opportunity to deepen your skillset growing food, share your passion with other like minded folks, make a profit on your surplus, and practice shared responsibility of communal land without the commitment of buying your own farm!
Land Stewards will cooperatively design, plant and manage using permaculture design and a focus on native plants and climate resilience.
This is not a farm lease, job or a finished program. It is an invitation to connect with each other and the land.
Read until the end and fill out the form if you would like to apply!
If you are excited about this project but do not feel qualified there are still other ways to plug in! Share your Contact Information to be informed of upcoming events.
3.5 acres are designated as Olamina Commons, plus 1.46 acres of forest space
4 acres planned for housing, a total of 7+ acres
A mix of forest, open field and transitional spaces.
Layout is evolving and will be co-designed with stewards.
Adjacent to an existing house and 2.5 acres for future cooperative housing development.
This is a rough sketch (as of Jan 2026) of current and future plans. In 2026, forest and field land is available for the land steward program to create, experiment, grow, harvest, connect.
A Land Steward is someone who:
Cares for a designated area of the land
Practices ecological, non-extractive stewardship
Works independently and/or collaboratively
Participates in a shared learning culture
Stewardship here is invitational, non-commercial, and a multi-season commitment starting in March 2026.
As a steward, Olamina offers you:
Land Space for creativity and connection to the land - solo or with friends
Access to a designated area of the land for growing, learning, creating, or tending
Freedom to come and go independently, to be on the land independently or for collaborative projects
Space for creativity — including art, food, or products grown here (shared or sold independently)
A place to simply come be on the land
Option to keep the profits of your labor to share with your community, or sell for your own financial needs *approved plan required
An explicitly safe space for inclusivity, diversity, and lbgtq+ friendly
As a steward, you agree to:
Care for the land using ecological, non-extractive practices
Respect physical boundaries, community agreements, neighbors, and shared spaces
Take responsibility for your own safety, tools, guests, children, and pets
Attend stewardship meetings (and occassional community events)
Harvest from areas and plants you have personally tended
Uphold your signed steward agreement and liability waiver throughout the stewardship program
This program is not for you if you:
Use conventional farming and chemical pesticides
Are disinterested in the community aspect and regular gatherings
Have a life of too many commitments to follow through
If you’re curious about becoming a Land Steward in 2026, the next step is to learn more and apply.
The application is designed to:
Share more detail about how stewardship works here
Help you reflect on what you’re seeking and offering
Let us know you’re interested in future info sessions
Submitting the form does not commit you to anything. It simply opens the conversation.