Our Story

In 1986, Bill and Margie Imus purchased 32 acres of land in Surry County, knowing that they wanted to live in the county and try to grow some of their own food, and not realizing what the future would hold. In 1987, Bill and a friend opened a successful restaurant, the Cumberland Café, in Winston-Salem, NC. As Bill began to grow vegetables behind the restaurant to help supply their menu, he realized the need for locally grown, seasonal produce delivered directly to other restaurants. Acting on this passion, Bill and Margie began farming to supply produce to local restaurants, markets, and homes, from their land in Surry County full-time by 1993. Over these many years, they have worked to restore the former tobacco fields to productive farmland, realizing the transformative power of working with the land. The farm has now grown organic produce and flowers for more than 30 years, along with managing the native hardwood forest, and building trails through its diverse ecosystems.

Living and laboring on their property has fostered a profound appreciation for a healthy and diverse biosphere and a deep knowledge of organic farming and native plants. Margie and Bill decided to transition to the nonprofit world and established Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve in 2014, to share their knowledge and help nurture others’ relationships with nature through education. 

After farming and managing Minglewood’s land for more than 30 years the Imus’ had the vision to share the outdoors with children through learning. The CDC reports that children ages 8 to 10 spend an average of 6 hours per day in front of a screen, kids ages 11 to 14 spend an average of 9 hours per day in front of a screen*! The Imus’ knew this was what they needed to do. 

Minglewood Farm & Nature Preserve’s vision is to connect children to the natural world through learning. Our hope is that children will build a lasting relationship with nature and grow up to be the next generation of naturalists. 

*1/10/2020  OFS Healthcare