2023 Year In Review

Y E A R I N R E V I E W 2023

GABE MADISON PRESIDENT

For Bonton Farms, 2023 was the year of execution. Our team has been building the infrastructure, creating programming, bringing on additional staff, and executing our mission to transform lives where change yields health, wholeness and opportunity as the norm.

In 2023 various programs launched, and relaunched, to address inequities and provide resources for better overall outcomes. The seven human essentials, which are also known as the social determinants of health (transportation, education, access to financial wellness, community, health and wellness, economic development, and safe and affordable housing), are our focus and standard for filtering every initiative, opportunity, partnership, and endeavor.

Our apprenticeship program relaunched with a more robust curriculum, increased support, and structure focused on addressing the seven human essentials within a cohort and individually. This comprehensive focus on the “whole person ” included workforce training which provides a pathway to employment with one of our various industry partners.

The Financial Wellness and Empowerment Program launched this year which is an expansive program addressing various areas of financial wellbeing starting from basic knowledge to special focus areas pertinent to the community Nine banks have come together to create this opportunity and support the revitalization efforts within families and the community

We’ve also launched our Health and Wellness programming with our partners at Baylor Scott and White - Health & Wellness Center Each week, the community has the opportunity to engage in exercise classes, nutrition classes, as well as participate in research focused on cardiovascular disease prevention This partnership has supported our community through health education, awareness, and advocacy

And at the end of the year, we celebrated the ground breaking of our Wellness Center, which will house programming by Baylor Scott and White - Health & Wellness Center, primary medical care by Methodist Hospital's Community Collaborative Group, as well as dental and mental health services. This Center will also serve as home to our Financial Wellness and Empowerment program.

2023 was a remarkable year, and we anticipate so much more in 2024. We are in awe of what God is doing, and we ask for your continued prayers and support. Special thanks to those who continue to support our mission over the years. It takes a village, and you all are a part of ours. If you haven't been to the farm in a while, we invite you to come back and see what is happening, and if you have never been, now is the time to experience the great community of Bonton!

You will not leave the same!

MARK JONES CHAIRMAN OF THE BOA

I pray you all are in good health and high spirits as 2024 rapidly evolves Reflecting upon the achievements of 2023, we are thrilled to share some remarkable stories and key highlights that underscore the significant progress of Bonton Farms

One of the most inspiring narratives from this fiscal year is the success story of Mr. Eddie. Through his dedication and hard work Mr Eddie graduated from our apprenticeship program, showcasing the effectiveness of our commitment to skill development. I am delighted to share that after completion of the program, he has seamlessly transitioned to employment with Hilti Corporation Mr Eddie's success and transition exemplifies the tangible impact of our training initiatives on individuals' lives and careers

In 2023, our commitment to community engag events and programs, we had the privilege of initiatives not only strengthened our bonds wi meaningful impact on various lives, demonstra

Our social enterprises experienced substantia The success of several new items highlighted marketplace. We are proud of the strides we h are poised for further growth in the upcoming

Recognizing the pivotal role of employee well specific attention to their overall wellness. Ou workplace environnment aligns with our comm healthy workforce is essential to achieving our success Any investment we make in the individual member of our team, is an investment in the future of our local and global communities.

One of the key milestones of 2023 was the groundbreaking ceremony for our new wellness center This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for promoting physical and mental well-being among our employees and the community we serve Additionally, l am pleased to share that our partnership with AMR (American Medical Response) resulted in the successful training of nine new EMTs, reinforcing our commitment to community health and emergency services.

Finally, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders for their contributions to Bonton Farms success in 2023 Your continued support, dedication, and collaboration are integral to our growth and impact. As we look ahead, the Board remains committed to navigating challenges, fostering talent, and creating lasting value for those we are called to serve

As always thank you for being an essential part of the Bonton Farms journey.

HIGHLIGHTS TO 2023

2023 APPRENTICE GRADUATE

We are thrilled to share the success story of Eddie, a 2023 distinguished graduate of the Bonton Farms Seed Time and Harvest Apprenticeship After mastering the art of cultivation, Eddie embarked on a life-changing journey with Hilti North America's apprenticeship program His dedication and talent shone so brightly, Hilti offered him a full-time position halfway through the program!

Eddie's journey is a testament to the power of collaboration between Bonton Farms and Hilti North America. We are incredibly grateful to Hilti and all our workforce partners who share our vision in creating opportunities Together, we're weaving brighter futures and cultivating a more inclusive and empowered world for all

WELLNESS CENTER GROUNDBREAKING

We’ve officially broken ground for our new Wellness Center! This 11,ooo square foot facility will provide evidence-based, integrated, holistic primary and preventative medical care and promote financial well-being for Bonton and surrounding communities!

The center will also serve as a hub to host major community events, such as health fairs and other large programming Classes with a focus on exercise, nutrition, cooking, and disease prevention health education will be accessible at times most convenient to the community.

FINANCIAL WELLNESS & EMPOWERMENT

Last year we launched our Financial Wellness and Empowerment program and ended the year with a total of 18 participants This 13week, instructor led course offers a financial curriculum designed to teach valuable money skills, develop plans to reach financial goals, and promote financial security. Nine banks are partnering with us in reimagining banking in communities like Bonton and serving as course instructors Each class is led by a different banking professional and focused on a different topic Those banks hosted seven community conversations to discuss a variety of topics surrounding banking, and that information has been used to plan this course.

HIGHLIGHTS TO 2023

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT) CERTIFICATION COURSE

Last year, we partnered with American Medical Response and Hope Cottage to offer our first EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Certification Course. After months of intense course work, and hands-on clinical training, we are excited to share that nine students completed the program and graduated with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide critical medical care to patients We can't wait to witness them thrive as EMTs in our community!

BSWHWC WELLNESS COURSES

We joined Baylor Scott and White Health and Wellness Center in the effort to improve community health through evidence-based prevention and intervention services including nutrition and health education, physical activity, and access to quality foods. Through our Bonton Farms Health and Wellness Program, Bonton community members participate in year-round classes (healthy cooking, physical activity, disease management and prevention), biometric analysis, health screenings, and physician referrals. Trained medical professionals help each participant use screening results to track and managewellnessovertime

SNAP & DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS

We received approval to accept SNAP benefits in our Farmers Market last year Following this achievement, we launched our community farmstandwithextendedhoursforcommunitymemberstoshop.The community farm stand runs every Monday and Tuesday from 4PM6PM (5PM-7PM during Daylights Savings Time) to accommodate community members’ schedule Since its’ opening, 71 community membershaveusedthecommunityfarmstandduringextendedhours, with47usingtheirSNAPbenefits

Our neighbors can also enjoy a 50% savings on produce and other items, as well as dollar-for-dollar matching on SNAP dollars through the use of Double Up Food Bucks! We hosted our first Community FarmStandBlockPartyinSeptember,anditwasanABSOLUTEHIT!

OUR IMPACT

TRANSPORTATION

+475

HOURSOF TRANSPORTATION PROVIDEDTOCOMMUNITY MEMBERS&APPRENTICES

COMMUNITYMEMBERS TOUCHEDTHROUGHOUR PROGRAMMING COMMUNITY

SEED,TIME,HARVEST APPRENTICES EDUCATION

15

HOLIDAYDINNERS DISTRIBUTED COMMUNITY

+250

+25

STUDENTSENROLLEDIN SUMMERPROGRAMMING

ECONOMIC STABILITY

4

BONTONPRENEURS& APPRENTICESSOLD PRODUCTS&SERVICES THROUGHOURSOCIAL ENTERPRISES

9

EMERGENCYMEDICAL TECHNICIAN(EMT) GRADUATES EDUCATION

2,379

3,384

39,950

ON THE FARM!

+10,000 POUNDS OF PRODUCE GROWN!

CROPS GROWN:

Pimento Peppers

Purple Bell Peppers

Green Bell Peppers

Banana Peppers

Macaroon Peppers

Madhatters Peppers

Swiss Chard

Collards

Mustards

Cherry Tomatoes

Romo Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomatoes

Sun Gold Tomatoes

Sun Sugar Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Onions

Carrots

Squash

FARM ANIMALS:

Goats

Chickens

Roosters Pigs Cows Donkeys

$246,842.50

VOLUNTEER ECONOMIC IMPACT ON LABOR

+70

VOLUNTEER GROUPS FROM CORPORATE & FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

2254

TOTAL VOLUNTEERS

34 TREES PLANTED IN BONTON COMMUNITY

340 REPEAT VOLUNTEERS 1914 FIRST-TIME VOLUNTEERS

Another PHENOMENAL year of Transforming Lives bydisrupting systems of inequity, laying a where and OPPORTUNITY Health, Wholeness,

FOUNDATION

C H A N

G E

yields as a norm.