SILT welcomes our first Americorps VISTA service member Sophie Sheeder. 

“Since 1965, over 220,000 AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program have joined the fight against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. The VISTA program serves in each of the 50 U.S. states and in all U.S. territories,” according to the program’s website.

“Through capacity building activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program serve in an office setting and gain experience and leadership skills. This opportunity prepares members for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector,” it continues.

Sophie will be developing and implementing fundraising and outreach activities across Iowa, including SILTFests, visiting farmers markets, helping organize SILT’s Small Farm Summer and more.

SILT is seeking another VISTA to  increase the pipeline of beginning farmers and farmers of color seeking SILT farms.  She will be introducing the SILT model to beginning farmer and farmer-incubating organizations in Iowa and across the Upper Midwest with a special focus on organizations led by underserved populations such as Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Both of these VISTA positions will fight poverty by bringing more affordable land to people who otherwise would not have access to it so they can grow their own food and food for their communities. SILT has a 3-year commitment from the program though VISTA service members tend to serve one year at a time, often due to the minimal salary offered by the program. SILT is augmenting that salary with $500/mo. grocery cards for each VISTA, thanks to support from the 11th Hour Project.