Bonton Farms

This mission of Bonton Farms is to transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where change yields health, wholeness and opportunity as the norm. When Daron Babcock, CEO of Bonton Farms, moved to Bonton in 2012, he saw residents suffering from health issues caused by poor nutrition, hopelessness caused by years of systemic racism and oppression, and poverty caused by decades of being geographically cut off from well-paying jobs in the northern sector of Dallas. 

After successfully piloting a micro-urban farm on the abandoned lot adjacent to his home in 2013, Daron, along with support from the community, Habitat for Humanity and the City of Dallas, transformed 10 blighted lots into the urban farm that is now Bonton Farms.  

Before Bonton Farms was established, access to healthy food in Bonton was very limited; getting to the nearest grocery store required residents to travel three-hours roundtrip by bus. In short time, Bonton Farms grew from a tiny vegetable garden on a vacant lot into one of the largest urban farms in the United States. 

Daron’s vision grew organically in response to pressing community needs. In less than a decade, Bonton Farms has evolved into a holistic, place-based effort to change the trajectory of a community by empowering residents to reclaim their sense of purpose. With a focus on growing organic food and inspiring hope for a better future, Bonton Farms operates two fully functional farms and five social enterprises. 

OUR NEEDS

1. CAPACITY BUILDING / GENERAL OPERATING: Increased staffing to execute our mission across our multiple social enterprises and address the Seven Human Essentials within our community
2. BARN-DOMINIUM: Multi-use 3,750 sf. barn to increase our capacity as a working farm, providing additional employment opportunities for local community residents, and expanding our ability to provide food and resources for the residents of Bonton (Project cost: approx. $350,000)
3. AQUAPONICS: A food production system combining aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants in a nutrient solution) to facilitate year-round, sustainable food production along with additional opportunities for specialized job training in an up-and-coming industry. (Project cost: $200,000+)