ECONOMIC STABILITY: GROWING HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY IN BONTON
The Bonton community in South Dallas has a powerful story, one rooted in resilience despite decades of systemic neglect. For years, Bonton residents faced the harsh realities of racial segregation, redlining, and economic disinvestment. With limited access to grocery stores, healthcare, and employment, the neighborhood became trapped in a cycle of poverty and poor health, not by choice, but by circumstance.
When Bonton Farms was founded, one need stood out above all others: jobs.
Cultivating Change from the Ground Up
At its core, Bonton Farms was created to bring economic opportunity back to a community that had been cut off from it for generations. In the early days, founder Daron Babcock saw that the number-one request from residents wasn’t charity, it was a chance to work.
That simple truth shaped everything that came next. The farm became more than a place to grow food; it became a place to grow livelihoods.
By creating meaningful jobs in South Dallas, Bonton Farms provided residents with steady income, practical skills, and renewed dignity. Every row planted represented a step toward economic stability and independence, transforming what was once a food desert into fertile ground for opportunity.
The Apprentice Program: Building Pathways to Long-Term Economic Stability
Today, Bonton Farms continues to tackle the root causes of poverty, not just by addressing food insecurity, but by providing pathways to sustainable employment and financial growth.
Our model goes beyond farming. Through job training, mentorship, wellness programs, and education, we help individuals build the foundation for lasting self-sufficiency. Each initiative is designed to strengthen both individuals and the wider Bonton community, ensuring that progress endures long after the harvest.
The Apprentice Program: Investing in Long-Term Economic Stability
One of our proudest achievements is the Bonton Farms Apprentice Program, a transformative workforce development initiative that builds long-term economic stability for Bonton residents.
Apprentices gain real-world experience in agriculture, business operations, and leadership, while also receiving life skills coaching, financial literacy training, and career development support.
The ripple effect is powerful: each apprentice who achieves independence becomes a role model and mentor, inspiring others and contributing to the broader economic growth of South Dallas.
Financial Wellness: Empowering Economic Stability
Our Financial Wellness Resource Center continues to see strong participation and measurable outcomes since transitioning into the Wellness Center. Financial literacy is a cornerstone of holistic health, and our programming reflects our commitment to building economic resilience and stability for every family we serve.
