Even though many people may not be familiar with Restorative Farms in South Dallas, the nonprofit is developing two things that support low-income communities: a nutrient-rich urban sustainable farming system and employment opportunities.
The Dallas Express had the chance to talk with Brad Boa, co-founder and director of partnerships and collaboration for Restorative Farms.
To establish the organization’s first operational farm in its farming system, Hatcher Station Farm, the nonprofit rented a 0.39-acre plot from Dallas Area Rapid Transit for $10 per year as part of a “beautification lease.”
Hatcher Station Farm is focused on training new farmers, farm managers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and community stewards who can contribute to the local economy and promote healthy living. The farmers at the training center use smart irrigation systems, crop rotation methods, and other sustainable practices to ensure high yields and healthy soil.
Boa’s commitment to the community is all-encompassing in that he aims to educate and empower people to provide themselves and their families with nourishing foods, enhancing not only their physical health but also their skill sets. The goal is that this will lead to employment that will enable them to afford better food choices and, consequently, be less susceptible to illness.
“60% of Americans have chronic illness based on what we eat,” said Boa. “Those chronic diseases are amplified in underserved communities.”
Boa explained that because people have so many convenient, inexpensive food and calorie options available, they are becoming sick, primarily due to highly processed foods.
Research has shown that the body metabolizes calories differently depending on their quality. Highly processed foods tend to be low in nutritional value and high in calories, refined sugars, salt, and fat, thus contributing to the country’s obesity crisis.
“Ironically, with all the abundance of calories, we are making ourselves sick,” said Boa.
Boa noted that the return on investment for urban agriculture has not been sustainable.
“People always say the problem is land. I’m the one person saying that land is not the issue,” explained Boa. “We can go get in my pickup truck, and I can take you to eight or nine or 10 failed urban gardens or farms in churches or communities where people put hard-earned money, time, and effort into it, and then it fails.”
Boa emphasized that the problem has been people.
“I want to ensure that what I’m doing is sustainable, not something that temporarily makes people feel good,” said Boa. “Farming is demanding work. We need people who are knowledgeable so we can achieve success — people who are willing to do it and able to continue doing it.”
Boa collaborates with Richard Miles, founder of Miles of Freedom. Miles was wrongly convicted at the age of 19 for murder and aggravated assault and was sentenced to 60 years. He spent 15 years in prison before his innocence was acknowledged, and he was released from Dallas County jail on October 10, 2009. Miles of Freedom helps to bridge the gap from “prison to promise,” as stated on its website.
“About every month, 700 people are released in the southern area from the Texas prison system. Where do they go? How do they get back on their feet? Richard’s group helps with this,” said Boa.
“In 2015, Richard, knowing my interest in agriculture, pointed out that there was a garden at the rear of the MLK Community Center that was never maintained. So, we collected some funds and some people, and in the spring of 2016, we restored the garden. By July, the garden was dead again,” he said, demonstrating his point that people were the main challenge more than a lack of land. MLK Community Center that was never sustained. So, we gathered some funds and some people, and in the spring of 2016, we rejuvenated the garden. By July, the garden was dead again,” he said, illustrating his point that people were the primary challenge more than a lack of land.
“Once again, you have to consider the return on investment,” explained Boa. “The hours that you put into something. If it ends with you, it’s not sustainable.”
Boa emphasized that in some wealthy neighborhoods, gardening is a hobby seen as enjoyable and therapeutic.
“However, what people don’t understand is that in South Dallas, many people are struggling with two jobs just to pay the electric bill or to feed their kids tomorrow. They don’t have the luxury of having gardening as a hobby,” said Boa.
“It’s difficult to promote nutrition when someone is hungry,” he added.
Determined not to give up, Boa recognized the urgent need to establish a non-profit organization that could effectively and efficiently distribute funds to areas where individuals face significant challenges in accessing nutritious but low-priced food options.
In 2016, Boa met Day, one of the clients of Miles of Freedom. Day was also incarcerated for a crime he did not commit and remained in prison for nearly 26 years. While in prison, Day learned horticulture. Tyrone Day, one of the clients of Miles of Freedom. Day was also incarcerated for a crime he did not commit and remained in prison for nearly 26 years. While in prison, Day learned horticulture.
“Tyrone became one of our co-founders,” said Boa. “We were able to create a job for him so he could earn a living and utilize the expertise he developed in prison. He managed the seedling farms.”
Boa would go on to meet Owen Lynch, who would also become one of the co-founders of Restorative Farms. In 2017, Boa and Lynch took over the empty lot identified to him by Miles and built a 16-by-20-foot greenhouse. Restorative Farms. In 2017, Boa and Lynch took over the empty lot identified to him by Miles and built a 16-by-20-foot greenhouse.
Boa’s aim was to “establish a seedling farm that could be sustainable, not just environmentally, but also economically.”
The mission of Restorative Farms is to “nurture a lively and feasible community-based urban farm system in South Dallas … a community that most needs fresh food access and employment,” according to its website.
By taking this proactive step in joining forces with others, Boa explained that Restorative Farms makes a meaningful contribution towards promoting food security and improving the well-being of communities affected by this issue.
“You have to feel like you are doing something in this world rather than just feeding yourself,” said Boa.
