Economic Development at Grow North Farm
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.
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.
For 17 years, ACLT has been disrupting concentrated poverty in Anchorage by making concentrated investments. ACLT’s investments are in targeted neighborhoods and are high impact, community-vetted and anchored in partnership. ACLT’s services fall into four core categories: real estate, community organizing, neighborhood assets, and targeted programs. In the summer of 2019, ACLT partnered with Catholic Social Services’ Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services program to open a 28,000 square foot urban farm on land owned by ACLT. After three years of sales growth, both partner organizations are ready to plan for the site design and infrastructure and programs for the long term. ACLT’s Set Up Shop program provides support to neighborhood entrepreneurs and business owners, in some of Anchorage’s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. Training classes, business services, access to lending, and help with real estate are offered for free or at a low cost.
This year, the Americorps VISTA will catalyze local food-based projects and food business entrepreneurship, building off the successes of ACLT’s Set Up Shop entrepreneurship program and Grow North Farm urban farm program. The VISTA Member will serve to build partnerships around community and economic development in under-served communities. This will be accomplished by building capacity and sustainability at Grow North Farm, engaging community members, and ensuring greater access to ACLT’s programs. This VISTA project will support community-based efforts to support business creation, local job growth, and resident leadership. The VISTA member will engage partner organizations, farmers, and community members in a community-based site planning process, which will result in a 10-year site and strategic plan for Grow North Farm.