In 2012, residents of the South Dallas community of Bonton were facing challenging, poverty-related realities that required long-term solutions. To address the lack of easy access to fresh food, Daron Babcock—along with community support—established a micro-urban farm and later transformed 10 blighted lots into what is now Bonton Farms.
To address the underlying issues facing the community, Bonton Farms leverages the “Human Essentials” of economic stability, health and wellness, transportation solutions, innovative housing, community building, education, and access to fair credit. By focusing on these essentials, Bonton Farms has become much more than a farm.
Over the past five years, the program has added a 40-acre extension farm, a Market/Café, the Bonton Farms Coffee Shop, and a Farmers Market—three social enterprises designed to create jobs, offer fresh, healthy food, and reinvest in the community. These initiatives also allow the farm to leverage philanthropy to drive further community revitalization.
The organization has robust plans to add more safe, affordable, and sober living housing; a comprehensive health and wellness center; and tiny, innovative homes within the neighborhood. These efforts aim to help individuals and families progress from homelessness and addiction into first-time homeownership.
