Baltimore’s First “Grow Well Vertical Farm” Launches at Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center
A new model for urban agriculture and community wellness takes root in West Baltimore
Baltimore, MD — A new approach to community health and urban food access has started in West Baltimore with the opening of the Grow Well Vertical Farm inside the Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center (LHBRC). The farm, launched by What The Sprout LLC, turns previously unused space into a functional indoor farm and hands-on learning environment.
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What The Sprout LLC was founded by Baltimore native Quandra Gray, whose vision is to show that growing food in city neighborhoods is not only possible but transformative. The Grow Well Vertical Farm uses compact, vertical farming systems to cultivate microgreens, herbs, and vegetables throughout the year. The produce grown at the site will be distributed within the community and integrated into health, nutrition, and educational programming.
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Families engage in a microgreens learning session led by What The Sprout LLC, exploring how fresh food can support wellness and community health. Photo Courtesy of What the SproutThe farm is the first pilot location for What The Sprout’s Grow Well Pathways initiative, which seeks to develop a network of indoor farms in community centers, schools, and underutilized buildings across the city. Each space will be designed to connect fresh food access with wellness education, environmental awareness, and exposure to green-career opportunities.
The partnership aligns with the mission of the Langston Hughes Community, Business & Resource Center, a long-standing anchor in West Baltimore that provides residents with workforce development, business incubation, and community engagement programs.
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Children participate in a hands-on planting activity led by What The Sprout LLC, learning how to sow seeds and grow their own microgreens.Photo courtesy of What the SproutProgramming at the farm will include hands-on workshops, youth learning sessions, wellness initiatives, and opportunities for corporate volunteer groups to participate in planting and harvesting. What The Sprout will also collaborate with health organizations, small businesses, and local partners to introduce workshops that focus on nutrition, stress reduction through growing, and the connection between food access and long-term health outcomes.
What The Sprout LLC, founded in 2023, is a Baltimore-based social-impact venture committed to advancing food security, wellness, and climate action. The organization transforms underused spaces into indoor farms that nurture community health and create pathways to opportunity.
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Learn more:www.whatthesprout.com
