RICHMOND, Va. (April 9, 2025) — Sheltering Arms is excited to announce its partnership with Babylon Micro-Farms, the industry-leading producer of hydroponic, vertical farms.

Thanks to generous funding from the Emily and Coleman Hunter Trust and the Julia and Tunnicliff Fox Charitable Trust, Sheltering Arms has installed a Babylon Micro-Farm at its Midtown location in Scott’s Addition to further enhance programming for its approximately 40 Club Rec members, the organization’s mission-driven day recreation program for adults with disabilities.

Founded in 2017 by University of Virginia students Alexander Olesen and Graham Smith, Babylon Micro-Farms’ hydroponic farms are based on sustainability and provide an all-in-one, year-round indoor farming experience. Hydroponic farming is a method of growing plants using nutrient-rich water instead of soil, which offers many benefits including space efficiency, reduced water usage, accessibility, and affordability.

Sheltering Arms plans to use its Babylon Micro-Farm to increase sustainable, healthy food sources for its members while creating unique and engaging culinary experiences. Programming will include activities such as harvesting produce to use in cooking classes and growing flowers.

“We are very excited to partner with Babylon to bring freshly grown herbs, microgreens, and vegetables to Sheltering Arms. Being able to watch these items grow from seedlings until they’re ready to be harvested and eaten gives our members insight into how our food is grown and increases their accessibility to healthy food options,” said Rhonda Riggleman, manager of Club Rec. “We are excited to see our programming with the micro-farm continue to grow and thrive.”

Babylon’s on-site indoor farm aligns with Sheltering Arms’ mission to support a continuum of holistic physical rehabilitation services and foster community partnerships to promote the health of the community. “We are proud to have partners such as Sheltering Arms who share a similar vision and are working toward a healthier future,” added Babylon Micro-Farms CEO, Alexander Olesen.

About Sheltering Arms

Sheltering Arms Community Programs—the majority joint venture partner of Sheltering Arms Institute, a nationally ranked physical rehabilitation hospital and network of outpatient centers located in Richmond, Virginia—offers a vast array of adaptive and medical fitness, wellness, and recreation services, including its mission-driven day recreation program, Club Rec. To learn more, visit www.ShelteringArms.com.