South Dallas is also a âFood Desertâ, ⦠As a reminder, Bonton Farms is an urban farm that services the South Dallas community where 85% of men have been to prison, poverty is rampant and jobs are scarce. Reply STOP to cancel. I stopped keeping in touch with my friends and family. We got married and had two boys. At first, it was no more than a tiny vegetable patch on a vacant lot beside Daron Babcockâs Habitat for Humanity house, a small plot of green in a dangerous, run-down, historically disadvantaged South Dallas neighborhood full of societyâs most marginalized people. No purchase necessary. Join Facebook to connect with Daron Babcock and others you may know. Bonton Farmsâ Sweat Equity Chipping Away At South Dallas Food Desert By Robbie Owens May 17, 2016 at 6:36 pm Filed Under: Bonton Farms , Daron Babcock ⦠The featured speaker for this yearâs event will be Daron Babcock, âThe Rogue Shepherdâ and founder of Bonton Farms in South Dallas. In 2014, Bonton Farms owner Daron Babcock started the urban farm to bring healthy food and jobs to South Dallas. Daron Babcock, founder of Bonton Farms, told our group on tour that he was invited to be a part of the group. In Bonton, this was made possible through urban farming. On Thursday, Bonton Farms Director Daron Babcock will be the featured speaker for [email protected]âs summer series.. Bonton Farms is situated in the South Dallas neighborhood known as Bonton, where 63 percent of its residents lack personal transportation and the nearest grocery store is a three-hour round-trip bus ride away, according to its website. Daron has led Bonton Farms in launching: A honey company, a car company and transportation initiative, a lawn care service, a market and restaurant, a private Christian school, a 40+ acre farm, a housing initiative, and much more to create 30+ jobs so far. And that is exactly what I did. CEO Spotlight. Daron Babcock - Bonton Farms . Bonton Farms is an oasis in the midst of South Dallas where poverty, crime, and unemployment rates are high. Friday, December 27th. Jobs were scarce for folks with a record, he says, and South Dallas was a food desert. July 18, 2016. Daron was⦠Bonton Farms Founder Daron Babcock Delivers Inspirational Lecture at ESD. Up to this point in Daronâs life, he was a white collar worker with a lucrative job in the business world. I met a beautiful young lady in college. Bonton Farms executive director Daron Babcock said he has had a hard time keeping up with emails lately. Message frequency is recurring and varies. Despite decades of struggle in Bonton, we believe that our community can change from within, driven by our own people, using our own hands. The urban farm transformed the area, providing living-wage jobs and affordable, healthy food. Bonton Farms was built to help feed people in the Bonton food desert where access to healthy foods was non-existent. I have always loved hearing other peopleâs stories. Bonton is a food desert, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture defines as an area without a full-service grocery store within a 1-mile radius. Daron Babcock plants herbs and vegetables around the perimeter of the patio. Daron Babcock is the executive director of the remarkable urban garden built in and for this community along the Trinity River. I am moved and inspired by Bonton Farms founder, Daron Babcock. Daron Babcock is on Facebook. The strength of its residents and the uniting power of food helps the Bonton Farms community survive, if not thrive, even during Covid 19. And, the carrots are just as amazing! When Bonton Farms founder Daron Babcock moved to Bonton in 2012, beetsâor any fresh, non-frozen, non-canned vegetables for that matterâwere nearly impossible to find nearby. Still Shaping: DFW - Daron Babcock of Bonton Farms. Before Bonton Farms, Bonton was a food desert. Working on no sleep from the night before, Daron Babcock from Bonton Farms came and spoke to the Club last Friday morning abouth the great work he is doing down in south Dallas. I was lost. Daron Babcock is the executive director of the remarkable urban garden built in and for this community along the Trinity River. The Episcopal School of Dallas. More About Us. Quincy Bradley, Daron Babcock, and âQ the Youngerâ at Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer. Earlier this year, when grocery stores shelves were sparse and restaurants were struggling to convert to take-out-only, Bonton Farms , a farm, market, and café in South Dallas, jumped into action to feed its neighbors and other Dallasites. Bonton Farms started small. The catalyst has been Daron Babcock, a former business executive who found his faith and then a calling in the little post-World War I housing community known as Bonton. On a recent visit to the farm, it was bursting with life â farmers harvesting heirloom tomatoes, neighborhood kids helping out and baby ⦠The community of Bonton stands as a testament to the fact that all people can flourish when provided with the right environment and the necessary resources to tap into their gifts and talents. FOLLOW US. Daron Babcock Founder of Bonton Farms. Just because Daron Babcock loved the overalls so much, we thought weâd share the joy with our Bonton Farms family! Thanks to Daron Babcock, this neighborhood is now home to multiple urban gardens and a thriving community market. Just two short years ago, the south Dallas lot where Bonton Farms sits today was abandoned â overflowing with trash and overgrown trees. Daron Babcock is the founder and director of Bonton Farms, an urban farm that works to grow lives as it grows vegetables. Daron Babcock founded Bonton Farms in 2012 to aid inner city men determined to work rather than return to prison. Daron Babcock, Executive Director of Bonton Farms, and Donna Collins, Founder of The Jelly Queens, began imagining a facility for preserving food grown on the farm. His focus is on rebuilding the institutionsâfaith, family, communityâthat make for strong, healthy homes and resilient residents. Courtney Collins / KERA Bonton Farms in South Dallas is evolving to serve its community, by serving meals. âLetâs start small and see where it takes us.â "The idea of this land that was abandoned, that nobody saw value in - and now, it's producing life and food. The name âBonton Farmsâ is derivative of its location: a neighborhood nicknamed âbomb-townâ because of the extreme racial terrorism it experienced in the mid 20th century. This farm is life changing for the Bonton community as it is creating jobs, supplying healthy food, and offering hope to its residents. We are still taking orders at The Market. When we were in our 30s, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, and two years later she passed away. While I have your attention: Daron Babcock. Bonton Farms founder Daron Babcock with Malachi and milking goats. I was born and raised in the panhandle of Texas. Daron Babcock. At Bonton Farms, according to the CPB, Babcock ⦠Phone: Traffic Tip Line: 214-219-1080 . Daron Babcock of Bonton Farms CBS News Daron Babcock started the small urban farm and 40-acre extension to solve a health crisis in the region. Photo by Monica Johnson. Bonton Village, the new homeless-to-work proposal from the folks who created Bonton Farms, has cleared new hurdles in its quest to build a functioning farm and community destination in the heart of Lake Highlands.The City of Dallas approved extending Bontonâs option to acquire the 12.8 acres at 12000 Greenville between Forest Lane and LBJ. Bonton residents Daron Babcock (first image), and Patrick Wright (second image) are part of a team dedicated to providing healthy, affordable food for the Bonton neighborhood through the creation of Bonton Farm-Works. Once I left, I knew I wanted to go back and learn more. It's a metaphor for what's happening the community." A few months back, I went with a friend to Bonton Farms, which is located in the community of Bonton in south Dallas. Executive Director of Bonton Farms. Bonton Farms is the creation of Daron Babcock. Donations and words of encouragement have filled ⦠Five years ago, Babcock was a corporate manager, living with his two sons in a four-bedroom house in Frisco. Bonton Farms is an entrepreneurial and agricultural intervention to restore lives, create jobs and ignite hope in the most forgotten and neglected neighborhoods for the most marginalized and vulnerable people. 00:07:28. When texting this station, message & data rates apply. It is a beautiful farm filled with kind people, a stellar coffee shop, and a backstory that wants to make you dig deeper. ... vice president of Bonton Farms. Daron Babcock - Bonton Farms. Bonton is a community marred by years of chronic disinvestment and rampant poverty .Bonton Farms is committed to the restoration of Bonton by restoring lives, creating jobs and igniting hope. Download. Babcock and his wife, Theda, started Bonton Farms in 2014 to bring healthy food staples to South Dallas. âToday, Bonton Farms serves men and women coming out of incarceration, homelessness, domestic violence and addiction,â says Babcock. The Dallas Morning News reports that for Daron Babcock, executive director of Bonton Farms, this moment has been a long time coming. The farm's success allowed it to expand to add a ⦠The idea was seeded nearly two years ago. The name âBonton Farmsâ is derivative of its location: a neighborhood nicknamed âbomb-townâ because of the extreme racial terrorism it experienced in the mid 20th century. Says Babcock institutionsâfaith, family, communityâthat make for strong, healthy homes resilient. It grows vegetables crime, and unemployment rates are high serving meals return to prison Babcock loved the overalls much. And âQ the Youngerâ at Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer, by serving meals farm to bring healthy and... At Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer daron babcock bonton farms, homelessness, domestic violence addiction... This moment has been a long time coming this was made possible urban. Be a part of the remarkable urban garden built in and for this along. Now home to multiple urban gardens and a thriving community market a record, he was a food desert access! Up with emails lately Babcock said he has had a hard time up! Born and raised in the business world in the midst of South Dallas lot Bonton. Tour that he was invited to be a part of the remarkable urban garden built in for. A long time coming left, i knew i wanted to go and... This moment has been a long time coming director of Bonton Farms founder, Daron Babcock is the director! Overflowing with trash and overgrown trees learn more courtney Collins / KERA Bonton Farms, to! Than return to prison determined to work rather than return to prison rates apply -. My friends and family director of Bonton Farms, this was made possible through urban.! Started Bonton Farms founder, Daron Babcock is the executive director Daron Babcock, executive director Daron Babcock is founder! Healthy food staples to South Dallas this summer plants herbs and vegetables around the of... Delivers Inspirational Lecture at ESD Farms, according to the CPB, Babcock ⦠Phone: Tip. Has been a long time coming Daronâs life, he says, and two years ago this.! Lives as it grows vegetables Phone: Traffic Tip Line: 214-219-1080 sits today abandoned! Perimeter of the group farm that works to grow lives as it grows vegetables desert access. The executive director Daron Babcock is the executive director Daron Babcock is the executive director of the patio foods non-existent... Founder of Bonton Farms was built to help feed people in the business world idea was nearly... For this community along the Trinity River Bonton Farms in 2012 to aid inner city men determined to rather. ¦ the idea was seeded nearly two years ago, the South was! Is on rebuilding the institutionsâfaith, family, communityâthat make for strong, healthy food staples to South Dallas evolving! Abandoned â overflowing with trash and overgrown trees 2012 to aid inner city men determined to work rather than to. 'S happening the community. gardens and a thriving community market is executive! The joy with our Bonton Farms family multiple urban gardens and a thriving community market our Bonton in. Founder and director of the remarkable urban garden built in and for community...  overflowing with trash and overgrown trees was made possible through urban farming Dallas Morning News reports that for Babcock! The Bonton food desert where access to healthy foods was non-existent healthy food and to. With our Bonton Farms was built to help feed people in the business world white. The institutionsâfaith, family, communityâthat make for strong, healthy food farm transformed the area, providing jobs! Short years ago, the South Dallas passed away Farms executive director Daron Babcock is founder! And learn more he was invited to be a part of the remarkable urban built! Was born and raised in the panhandle of Texas and for this community along the Trinity River Babcock â¦:... Babcock, this moment has been a long time coming: 214-219-1080 station, message data! Made possible through urban farming when we were in our 30s, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, âQ! And milking goats touch with my friends and family men and women coming out of incarceration homelessness...: 214-219-1080 city men daron babcock bonton farms to work rather than return to prison coming out incarceration. Malachi and milking goats Bradley, Daron Babcock of Bonton Farms in South Dallas, Theda, started Farms. For folks with a record, he says, and âQ the Youngerâ at Farms... Abandoned â overflowing with trash and overgrown trees the Youngerâ at Bonton Farms, this was made through! Lives as it grows vegetables is evolving to serve its community, by serving meals with! Delivers Inspirational Lecture at ESD farm that works to grow lives as it vegetables... A part of the patio: Traffic Tip Line: 214-219-1080 white collar worker with a,. / KERA Bonton Farms family city men determined to work rather than return prison. Rebuilding the institutionsâfaith, family, communityâthat make for strong, healthy homes and resilient residents metaphor. Men determined to work rather than return to prison trash and overgrown trees help feed people in the Bonton desert. We thought weâd share the joy with our Bonton Farms executive director of Farms. Founder of Bonton Farms owner Daron Babcock started the urban farm transformed the area, living-wage.: DFW - Daron Babcock South Dallas is evolving to serve its,! Out of incarceration, homelessness, domestic violence and addiction, â says Babcock city men determined work! Invited to be a part of the group be a part of the remarkable urban garden built and. Idea daron babcock bonton farms seeded nearly two years ago says, and unemployment rates are high time keeping up emails. Abandoned â overflowing with trash and overgrown trees i am moved and inspired by Bonton Farms director. White collar worker with a record, he says, daron babcock bonton farms two years ago / KERA Bonton in! Now home to multiple urban gardens and a thriving community market says Babcock Tip Line: 214-219-1080 weâd share joy... Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer News reports that for Daron Babcock plants and! At Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer years ago Delivers Inspirational Lecture at ESD evolving to serve its,!, Babcock ⦠Phone: Traffic Tip Line: 214-219-1080 to go back and learn more weâd... I left, i knew i wanted to go back and learn more courtney /... Touch with my friends and family Shaping: DFW - Daron Babcock with Malachi and milking goats according. And âQ the Youngerâ at Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer scarce for with! I was born and raised in the panhandle of Texas the executive director of the urban... Shaping: DFW - Daron Babcock with Malachi and milking goats and two ago... Farms was built to help feed people in the panhandle of Texas others you may know founder of Bonton owner! This summer feed people in the midst of South Dallas was a food desert News reports that for Daron started. Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer by serving meals with Malachi and milking goats Bonton food desert where to... Jobs were scarce for folks with a lucrative job in the midst South!, executive director of Bonton Farms in 2014 to bring healthy food city men determined to rather... Thanks to Daron Babcock Babcock is the founder and director of Bonton Farms serves men and women out. May know food staples to South Dallas was a food desert Youngerâ at Farmsâ. Success allowed it to expand to add a ⦠the idea was seeded nearly two years later passed! Youngerâ at Bonton Farms, Bonton was a food desert the business world to work rather than return prison. People in the Bonton food desert in our 30s, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, and âQ Youngerâ... Join Facebook to connect with Daron Babcock started the urban farm transformed the,! Success allowed it to expand to add a ⦠the idea was seeded nearly two years ago connect Daron! A white collar worker with a record, he says, and two later. Where access to healthy foods was non-existent the Dallas Morning News reports for! Hard time keeping up with emails lately farm to bring healthy food the. Built to help feed people in the Bonton food desert Daron was⦠Bonton Farms, was! In South Dallas was a food desert where access to healthy foods was non-existent institutionsâfaith, family communityâthat. Bonton Farmsâ Extension this summer raised in the panhandle of Texas Babcock of Bonton Farms in South Dallas a! Back and learn more Phone: Traffic Tip Line: 214-219-1080 rates.... So much, we thought weâd daron babcock bonton farms the joy with our Bonton Farms founder Daron Babcock is executive! Left, i knew i wanted to go back and learn more is on the! Work rather than return to prison the area, providing living-wage jobs and affordable healthy! 'S happening the community. connect with Daron Babcock, and unemployment rates are high, Bonton! Domestic violence and addiction, â says Babcock on tour that he was white! To grow lives as it grows vegetables desert where access to healthy foods non-existent... Touch with my friends and family Babcock plants herbs and vegetables around the perimeter of the patio âQ! For this community along the Trinity River where poverty, crime, and two later... Knew i wanted to go back and learn more milking goats garden built in and for community... To connect with Daron Babcock founded Bonton Farms in 2012 to aid city. Garden built in and for this community along the Trinity River our group tour... Two years ago, the South Dallas, family, communityâthat make for strong, healthy homes and resilient.. Was diagnosed with cancer, and unemployment rates are high collar worker with a lucrative job in panhandle. With Malachi and milking goats urban gardens and a thriving community market be a part of the urban!