Shalom Farms is a regional food security, community development project of United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond (UMUMR).

United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond, has a long history of social service work in low-income communities. Founded in 1937 as Bethlehem Wilson Communities, the agency played an integral role in the Fulton and Highland Park communities, providing services to over 1,500 individuals and families per year that included preschool, after-school, seniors programming, and emergency relief services. In 2005, the agency changed its name to United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond and transitioned from a neighborhood center and direct service provider to an organization engaged in social, economic, and spiritual justice issues on a regional level. The mission of UMUMR is to facilitate collaborative partnerships among individuals, congregations, and organizations to assure food security, educational supports, affordable housing, healthcare, and faith development in Greater Richmond: Connecting Greater Richmond for Community.

Shalom Farms and United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond: Begun in the fall of 2008, Shalom Farms is a nonprofit community farm project with the overarching goal of increasing food security in the Richmond region, particularly in low-income urban neighborhoods. A collaboration with many diverse and expert partners, the project is attaining its goal by: 1) providing fresh and healthy produce to underserved communities; 2) providing educational training to children and adults on growing food, nutrition, and food-based entrepreneurship; and 3) linking community groups to a wide range of food security resources and partners. A partial list of committed partners include: United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond, Camp Westview on the James, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Blue Sky Explorers, FeedMore (Central Virginia Food Bank), Richmond Public Schools, Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority, Richmond City Health District, Society of St. Andrew, Church Hill Activities & Tutoring., and emerging community partners (Shalom Farms Network).

Shalom Farms and its partner network connects communities in which poverty is high (food insecurity exists) with fresh, healthy foods, while building community and increasing the self-sufficiency of those involved. We accomplish our goals via: