Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabe Madison
Hi Gabe, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
While working at Thomson Reuters and leading community relations for Texas and Michigan, I dined at Café Momentum and met Chad Houser. I noticed Bonton Farms was listed as a source of produce on their menu and inquired about their work. Chad took me to visit Bonton Farms, and that’s where I first met Daron Babcock. He shared his passion and love for the Bonton community, the lack of resources offered there, and Bonton Farms’ mission to fight systems of inequity. Our company started volunteering at the Farm, which later led to an annual event with financial support. Each year, we surveyed employees regarding volunteer experiences, and Bonton Farms was always rated top in their responses. Bonton Farms mastered the volunteer experience and sparked the most interest and engagement by Thomson Reuters employees. They enjoyed the opportunity to work in the gardens, but most of all, they appreciated learning about the community and directly engaging with neighbors who were benefitting from the work of the Farm.
During the onset of the pandemic, Daron informed a group of us about the Bonton Farms Bill, which was headed to state legislature for a second time. This bill, HB 569, also known as the Bonton Farms Act, supported formerly incarcerated individuals in having fines canceled from their records due to time served, and I knew I wanted to be involved. This was my first involvement in legislation. It opened my eyes to the many systems that perpetuate oppression and the change that can happen when multiple individuals, including elected officials, get involved in the fight for better outcomes for all people.
Daron noticed my commitment to Bonton Farms and the Bonton Community and tried to convince me that I was supposed to be an employee. I initially disagreed with that part of his vision and happily accepted an offer to join the board instead, later becoming the Board Chair. Daron and I met often, and through many conversations, I began to understand the vision God placed in him to “make the change in Bonton become the change in the world.” God also began speaking to me about my part in that plan and confirmed it aligned what Daron had been asking of me for years. After wrestling with that confirmation for a while, I was reminded that obedience is better than sacrifice, and in order for me to make the greatest impact, I would have to yield to God’s plan for my life and my life’s work. Although I loved the comforts of my corporate life, I realize some of God’s greatest work happens when we’re uncomfortable, and I’m so thankful I was called to continue the mission of Bonton Farms, to transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where change yields health, wholeness, and opportunity as the norm for everyone. I haven’t looked back since!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although my work at Bonton Farms has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, it has not come without its share of bumps in the road. This was not a surprise to me because Daron taught me about the many realities that this level of commitment to change in community requires.
One challenge I’ve encountered is the need to help others understand the many branches of our work and reiterating, “We are more than a farm.” I am working hard to effectively paint the whole picture of Bonton Farms for the whole world to understand. We are committed to helping the whole person in an effort to impact the whole community, and the farm is just one element of our transformational work. What started out as a garden in a small lot has grown to two fully functioning farms, a Farmer’s Market, a Café, and a Coffee House. While continuing to grow organic food in the Bonton community, we are also addressing the barriers our neighbors are up against and working hard to ensure they have access to all seven human essentials, which are the core pillars of a thriving community: Transportation, Education, Access to Financial Tools, Community, Health and Wellness, Economic Stability, and Safe and Affordable Housing.
Another significant struggle that I personally underestimated is the amount of time and effort I was going to have to spend with the city on challenges we’ve experienced with building infrastructures. There is so much I didn’t know, and am still learning about the intricacies of city operations. From ordinances to codes and resolutions, I’ve had to really study to understand the history and processes. Fortunately, I have been blessed with some great mentors and friends at the City of Dallas who’ve helped me navigate those waters.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
There is no way we can continue to do this work without the help and support of others. There are many ways to join us in our mission.
1. Give.
We believe that humans, just like plants, need the right conditions to flourish, which is why we are driven by these seven human essentials: Transportation, Education, Access to fair credit, Community, Health & Wellness, Economic stability, and Safe & affordable housing. Like any ecosystem, if these conditions become unbalanced, the entire system begins to fall apart. When you support Bonton Farms, you are directly impacting the development of critical community infrastructure that will empower residents to champion a more prosperous future for themselves and their families. You can also invest in us by becoming a “Friend of the Farm” with a monthly gift. Visit bontonfarms.org/donate to learn more.
2. Visit.
When is the last time you’ve been down to the farm for a visit? There’s a lot going on around our farm, and we want you to be a part of it all! We have a total of 5 social enterprises, which are mission-driven businesses that generate income to support our incredible work. In addition to our farm, we operate a coffee house, a preservatory, a farmers’ market, and our very own full-service restaurant, The Market Cafe! We offer everything from a cup of delicious coffee, to an amazing Southern Comfort meal, to the best farm swag in town! In addition to delicious farm-to-table food options, our Market Cafe has an extensive catering and events menu, including offsite corporate catering, weddings, and other private events. Please visit bontonfarms.org/shop to learn more!
3. Volunteer.
Volunteering is a vital part of community building, and there’s no way we can do this work without the help of thousands of volunteers each year. We have a variety of group and individual volunteer opportunities, including goat milking, plant harvesting, and chicken cooping. Our farm is family-friendly, and we encourage you to invite others. Visit bontonfarms.org/volunteer to schedule your next Bonton Farms volunteer experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bontonfarms.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bontonfarms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bontonfarms
- Other: Soulshine Series: soulshine2024.funraise.org
Restaurant Reservations: https://www.opentable.com/r/the-market-cafe-at-bonton-farms-dallas
Image Credits
Tyson Pough Photography
