Paula Sieber hasn’t looked back since leaving her for profit job to renew herself. She entered the nonprofit world when she got wind that the East Greensboro Renaissance Coop closed years ago.
It fueled her mission. Paula wanted to help get clean housing, clean food and clean H2O to our most underserved and most vulnerable neighbors. She wanted to especially cater to homeless, seniors and previously incarcerated residents.
She collaborates with countless others to secure the funds required for big initiatives. Paula taught herself how to write grants. After refining her technique, she says her secret is to make her cause and plan so good they can’t say no. If they do say no, keep at ‘em until they give you what you need.
She is currently collaborating in developing three projects to help bring wholesome food to food deserts in Greensboro and High Point.
The Farmers Market on McConnell Rd. - Hosts famers locally and from other parts of the NC organic and hydroponic farmers bringing fresh food every Saturday. This market is one of the community facing arms of Guilford Urban Farming Initiative (GUFI.) It is designed to correct the current food system’s structural inequities. Their two strategic initiatives are to bring fresh, whole, affordable foods to local food deserts as it offers new commercial outlets for small farmers of color. They just secured a CARES grant to help make this market have an even great impact to improve food securities in District 1 and District 2.
The Peacemaker Urban Farm Collaborative - In collaboration with UNC-G, Tiny Homes Community Development, Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation, Walmart, and several others have 6 acres on Freeman Mill Road donated by a local business where they want to create a healthy living and work community. The goal is to have 16 tiny homes, greenhouses and raised beds and pollinator areas. One of the tiny homes is designated for the farm manager who will assist in the day to day management of the farm.
JM Green Tiny Home Community - On Hay St. in High Point, connects the urban farm movement with their community to bring healthy and fresh food options. There will be 24 raised ADA compliant vegetable and herb beds, a dense orchard, an educational greenhouse, blackberry trellises, and a 272’ x 2’ “Together We Grow the Roots of Community Resilience” childrens’ sidewalk garden.
Paula is enthusiastic about what these collaborations could mean for our neighbors, and so are we! In her spare time, she is looking to rent a motorhome to drive out to Colorado and attend her daughter’s intimate wedding (she isn’t getting on a plane)! The wedding has been postponed two times and Paula hopes the third time's a charm.
Author: Carrie Little