Sheltering Arms adds Babylon Micro-Farm to day recreation programming for adults with disabilities

Sheltering Arms has installed a Babylon Micro-Farm at its Midtown facility in Scott’s Addition to enrich the experience of members in its Club Rec day recreation program. The addition was made possible through funding from the Emily and Coleman Hunter Trust and the Julia and Tunnicliff Fox Charitable Trust.

Club Rec is a mission-driven day program serving approximately 40 adults with disabilities. The introduction of the hydroponic farm will allow participants to engage directly in the process of growing and harvesting fresh herbs, microgreens, vegetables, and flowers. These ingredients will be incorporated into cooking classes and other hands-on activities that promote health and wellness.

Babylon Micro-Farms, founded in 2017 by University of Virginia alumni Alexander Olesen and Graham Smith, creates compact vertical hydroponic systems that use nutrient-rich water instead of soil. This method reduces water usage, improves accessibility, and supports sustainable year-round indoor farming.

Rhonda Riggleman, manager of Club Rec, said the micro-farm will offer members a deeper understanding of where their food comes from while increasing their access to fresh, nutritious options. “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,” Riggleman said.

The initiative aligns with Sheltering Arms’ broader mission to provide holistic physical rehabilitation services and foster community partnerships that support community health. Babylon Micro-Farms CEO Alexander Olesen added, “We are proud to have partners such as Sheltering Arms who share a similar vision and are working toward a healthier future.”

For more information about Sheltering Arms and its community programs, visit their website here.