VISTA of the Month/May 2010
May 2010: Amanda Jackson/Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CEO)
1. Where are you from? The Midlands area: West Columbia, Lexington.
2. What were you doing before becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA? Peace Corps: Mali, West Africa. 
3. Why did you join AmeriCorps VISTA? After serving in Africa, I really wanted to focus on food security, which is the study of agriculture and economics. I looked for projects, fellowships, and things that appealed to that interest and came across Corporation for Economic Opportunity's website which detailed an agriculture initiative targeting a desperate and under-served population in SC. I contacted the initiator of Corporation for Economic Opportunity and went from there.
4. What are your duties as a VISTA? Find and construct grant summaries that would support our Greening of Black America Initiative. I also work in the field with farmers and others who share the same interests, recruiting people who have the same concerns and also want to witness progress.
5. What are your goals from your two years of service? To accomplish all that is expected of me, learn as much about South Carolina's environmental resources, what's being done with those resources, and to understand the policy behind it all.
6. What are your plans after your years of service? I intend to work more on other issues that are dear to me and then go to law school possibly next year with a concentration on public service law. While practicing law, I'll be able to give back to my community, and work with those who are often in unfavorable positions and are unable to do so.
7. Any special accomplishments? I think it's too early to tell. I'm learning and absorbing it all. Ask me later...in about 10 years.
Amanda is currently assisting CEO is reopening the Brookland Farmer's Market at the end of May. Anyone interested in Amanda's green initiative or the market should contact her @ (803)394-4895 or jacksona3@yahoo.com.
