I consider myself well educated — on paper, anyway.  I have an undergraduate degree in engineering and a masters degree in business administration.  Yet I find myself completely ignorant and unprepared when it comes to the most basic requirement for survival — putting food on the table.

FOOD — a basic necessity of life — and I have allowed myself to become dependent on other people and, even more concerning, on large corporations and grocery chains, in order to feed my family.  If those people or corporations fail or aren’t able to “show up for work” some day, will I be able to feed my children?  Will I be able to feed myself?

“If those people or corporations fail or aren’t able to “show up for work” some day,
will I be able to feed my children?”

This has been on my mind a lot lately and was recently escalated to the front burner last week when Dallas experienced a microburst storm that left a good portion of the city without power for days.  In a matter of minutes, trees and power lines were downed for miles and miles.  My kids and I had our swim suits on and were about to go to the pool when we noticed that the sky suddenly looked dark and it was only moments later that destruction hit.  There was no advance warning.  The weather forecast didn’t even include rain that day.  

“Grocery stores were closed for days and people couldn’t cook in their homes without electricity.  The few restaurants that did have power experienced lines out the door.”

For those who allow themselves a moment to contemplate the greater dangers hidden beneath this modern day inconvenience of being without power for a few days, it’s quite frightening.  They can see the dangerous lack of knowledge and preparation of our society at large if God-forbid there ever comes a time without easy access to grocery stores and restaurants.

“There are greater dangers hidden beneath this modern day inconvenience.”

Danny, farm manager at Bonton Farms

Ironically, two days before this weather disaster, I took my kids to Bonton Farms to learn how people are growing their own food and changing their lives for the better.  Bonton Farms is one of the largest urban farms in America and it’s in the middle of south Dallas – historically a very poor and economically challenged part of the city. 

Known as a “food desert”, south Dallas does not have the grocery stores and food options that other neighborhoods have because the grocery chains believe they cannot make sufficient funds in such a location.  Prior to the vision of Bonton Farms a few years ago, the only food options in south Dallas were canned and processed foods on the shelves of the local convenience store. 

Who knew artichoke hearts grew around purple flowers?

After I asked numerous enthusiastic questions about the mission of Bonton Farms, the wonderfully kind people there introduced me to the farm manager, Danny.  Danny gave us a great private tour of the farm.  We saw their precious goats (who were eating home-grown fruit!), ate delicious plumbs fresh off the tree, and saw all of the amazing plants and herbs they grow – all with organic practices!  The lavender and the artichoke hearts were absolutely beautiful.  We also ate lunch at their on-site market & cafe and it was delicious!

Danny offered to teach me how to grow my own food, either on-site at my house or by joining one of the upcoming classes they teach at the farm.  He lovingly offered to teach me this fundamental life-saving skill – something I never learned in my 18 years of schooling.  What are we teaching our kids in school anyway?  Nevermind, don’t get me on that soapbox…..

“He lovingly offered to teach me this fundamental life-saving skill –
something I never learned in my 18 years of schooling.”

My delicious lunch at the Bonton Farms market

Bonton Farms is on a mission to bring God’s food – fruits, vegetables, and herbs – to the south Dallas community, and in the process they are also bringing community to south Dallas. 

I asked Danny if the opening of this farm changed his life and I’ll never forget his answer.  He said prior to the creation of Bonton Farms he worked as an engineer at various industrial companies.  Now, he gets to spend every day outdoors, close to nature, and he’s never been happier.  He loves the community that this farm has created and said that the farm has made him a better husband and a better man. 

Do you grow your own food?

Please leave a comment below and share your experience!