By: Kenzley Defler, Shea Brenneman, & Caitlin RampyAmeriCorps is sometimes explained as being similar to Peace Corps but located within the United States as opposed to internationally. While this is true in many ways, there are also lots of differences in the application process, training, and service experience for AmeriCorps Members and Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs).
The goal of Peace Corps is to promote world peace and create sustainable change by helping countries meet their needs for professional training and promoting cross-cultural sharing. Peace Corps applicants can choose a specific country and work sector or apply to go wherever they are most needed. Cohorts of selected volunteers spend their first 3 months in country doing intensive language and cross cultural training. Often, this involves living with a local host family and taking language tests to track progress. After training, PCVs are placed at their permanent site where they do hands-on work focused on agriculture, education, health, the environment, community economic development, and youth development. Peace Corps terms are for 27 months, allowing volunteers time to integrate into their community and perform community needs assessments before jumping into projects. AmeriCorps is similar in its goal to strengthen communities through volunteer work. Applicants can choose from the many programs including VISTA, State and National, NCCC, and FEMA Corps each of which offers service terms of varying length. While all AmeriCorps programs seek to improve lives and foster civic engagement, some programs do this through direct service work and other programs, like VISTA, perform indirect service work. For some individual insight on Peace Corps and AmeriCrops service, check out the following words from Kenzley, Shea, and Caitlin, all of whom previously served with Peace Corps and are currently serving as AmeriCorps VISTA members in Fairbanks. Kenzley Defler
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Brittney Harrison
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Caitlin Rampy
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Diana Sevier
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Madisen Huffmann
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Timea Renfrow
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By: Tessa Holmes, FSWCD 2020-2021
The AmeriCorps VISTA project goals and tasks at FSWCD have evolved through time. Over two years ago, Melissa Sikes, the Natural Resource Education Specialist and VISTA supervisor at FSWCD began discussing a community farm project with local stakeholders. Inspired by an indoor hydroponic farm in Anchorage that employs and supports at-risk youth, Melissa sought to connect key community players who would support the creation of a hydroponic farm in the Fairbanks community. The previous VISTA (June 2019-20) recruited stakeholders and conducted research on how to viably fund the creation of a hydroponic farm. Over their service year, the previous VISTA set me up for success by finalizing a team of representatives from community organizations that include the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, Alaska 4-H, and a for-profit farm specializing in indoor growing technologies. In collaboration with these organizations, multiple grant applications were submitted and the scope of the project was adjusted slightly based on funding opportunities. A large part of the first VISTA’s work on this project was to determine the viability and scale of the project based on different funding opportunities.
As if the stars aligned with the AmeriCorps VISTA calendar, about a week before I started my service, FSWCD got word that their grant application for the USDA NIFA(4) Community Food Project was accepted. Beginning my service year in September 2020, I have been able to directly and tangibly continue the work of the VISTA before me. Beginning with our project partners, I have created contracts, organized and implemented regular project meetings, collaborated on local radio and television advertisements, and will be creating and managing a website and social media presence for the Community Farm Project. In December, we hosted a
Community Input Meeting with 33 participants and are now recruiting a community-led Advisory Council.
Thus far, the most meaningful part of my service has been telling the community about the farm project, gauging their feedback, and finding ways to infuse the project with their ideas. In order for the indoor farm to succeed and thrive, the project needs to bring value to Fairbanks community members so they accept and support it long-term. Thus, a big focus of my VISTA year is to tailor our program’s classes and workshops to reflect community input and respond to community need. The ideation, planning, and fundraising of the previous VISTA has provided me with clear direction and set me up for success in my VISTA service. Following my year, a third VISTA will support the Community Farm Project as it grows into a fully-operational farm, sustaining funding and community support along the way.
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Questions or comments? Contact AFFECTfarm@gmail.com.
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