God called us to redeem distressed land and restore broken lives through the power of regenerative agriculture and biblical stewardship. This is that story — and an open invitation to join it.
Wild Ways Acres of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit organization headquartered in Marion, McDowell County, North Carolina. We acquire, restore, and steward land to create off-grid transitional housing communities and working regenerative agriculture programs for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Western North Carolina.
To redeem distressed land for God's glory — and to restore the dignity, purpose, and community of every neighbor He sends our way — through the transforming power of regenerative agriculture and biblical stewardship.
Founded in 2026 by Tammy McKinney, Wild Ways Acres of Hope operates at the intersection of two converging crises in rural Appalachia: an abundance of unused, distressed, and heir-owned land and a growing population of unhoused neighbors with no viable pathway to stable housing. Our model bridges both — using the land to serve the people, and the people to steward the land.
We are a lean, faith-driven organization. Every dollar we raise goes toward land acquisition, transitional housing infrastructure, and agricultural program development in McDowell County. We hold our land in trust, develop it responsibly, and make it available to residents ready for the structure, purpose, and community a working farm provides.
Our three-pillar model is built on the conviction that land stewardship and human restoration are inseparable. Every project we undertake moves through three interconnected phases — and each phase feeds the next.
We accept donated and below-market land — distressed, unused, or heir-owned — and restore it with conservation best practices, wildlife habitat improvements, and agricultural infrastructure. Donors receive full fair-market-value tax deductions and the lasting knowledge their land is serving their neighbors.
We place unhoused individuals and families in off-grid transitional housing on the land, giving them stable shelter, structure through meaningful farm work, and belonging within a faith-rooted community. Residents gain not just housing, but vocation, dignity, and a path forward.
Over time, each farm becomes a self-sustaining operation with vocational training, income pathways, and a Kingdom community rooted in Christian stewardship and mutual care — a model replicable across rural McDowell County and Western North Carolina.
Our initial program targets are designed to demonstrate the model at working scale in McDowell County and establish the operational foundation for expansion across Western North Carolina.
Tammy McKinney is a lifelong McDowell County resident and the founder of Wild Ways Acres of Hope. A woman of deep Christian faith, she felt called to address two converging crises in her community: the growing number of unhoused neighbors and the abundance of unused, distressed land going to waste. Her vision bridges biblical stewardship with practical community development — using the land God made to shelter and restore the people He loves.
Tammy leads the organization's vision, donor relationships, community partnerships, and day-to-day operations from Marion, NC. She brings a pastor's heart and a builder's discipline to the work — grounded in Scripture, rooted in McDowell County, and resolved to see neighbors housed and farms running.
Wild Ways Acres of Hope is organized and operating as a North Carolina nonprofit corporation. Full federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is pending IRS determination. Contributions received during the pending period are eligible for retroactive deductibility once the determination letter is issued, per IRS policy.
For grant inquiries, partnership discussions, land donation conversations, or general questions — contact us directly. We respond within 24–48 hours.
For grant inquiries, partnerships, or land donations
Wild Ways Acres of Hope is building partnerships with local and regional organizations to maximize impact in McDowell County. Current conversations include land conservation partners, Continuum of Care providers, and agricultural support organizations.
Partner logos and acknowledgments will appear here as formal partnerships are established. If your organization is interested in partnering with Wild Ways Acres of Hope, please reach out directly.
Volunteer your time, donate land, give financially, or partner with us. God is calling His people to restore this community — every act of faith and generosity moves us one step closer.