Committed to strengthening a healthy and beautiful environment for people, plants, and wildlife.
Old Growth Cooperative is a Cincinnati-based landscaping company dedicated to sustainable, eco-friendly landscaping solutions. Beyond landscaping services, our real work is in land stewardship — we help people care for their land in ways that strengthen their garden or landscape and the larger ecosystem it supports.
As Ohio’s first worker-owned landscaping company, our business model is equally focused on people and planet. We take pride in providing high-quality work that pays sustainable living wages and supports our local ecosystem. Old Growth Cooperative is a proud member of Co–op Cincy, a network of worker-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati.
Our Story
Owners Ben and Alex got their start as farmers, most recently at Our Harvest Cooperative, a 12-acre, worker-owned farm cooperative. That experience inspired them to start their own worker-owned landscaping company, helping people care for their land in ways that strengthen their gardens and landscapes while supporting the broader ecosystem.
Old Growth Cooperative was founded on the beliefs that people are a part of their environment, not separate from it. The name “Old Growth” honors old growth forests and the generations of people who have cared for the land before us. We believe true biodiversity comes from the connection between land and people, and that our responsibility as stewards is to care for the land that cares for us, whether that’s a small backyard garden, a community park, or a regional prairie.
We are more than landscapers. We are educators, designers, and land stewards.
Ben Nava
Worker-Owner, Managing Director
Ben brings years of expertise in sustainable agriculture and project management in sustainable landscaping to Old Growth Co-op. His knowledge of soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity enhances our designs, while his project management skills ensure efficient, high-quality execution. Ben’s combined experience drives innovative, eco-friendly solutions that advance the co-op’s commitment to sustainability and excellence.
Alex Otto
Worker-Owner
Alex has extensive experience managing farms, complemented by his role as a worker-owner. His background in managing agricultural operations and land stewardship equips him with practical skills in sustainable land management, soil health, and ecosystem maintenance. At Old Growth Co-op, Alex leverages his expertise to implement sustainable landscaping practices, ensuring that projects are both environmentally responsible and efficiently managed. His dual role as a worker-owner also fosters a collaborative team environment, contributing to the co-op’s success and commitment to ecological integrity.