Toby Cain

Organizing Director for Civil Service Strong

Toby Cain is the Organizing Director for Civil Service Strong at Democracy Forward.

Toby has dedicated her career to strengthening rural communities, empowering emerging leaders, and proving that transformative change can start from anywhere.

Prior to joining Democracy Forward, Toby served as Chief of Staff for the USDA’s Risk Management Agency. For more than fifteen years, she has stewarded sustainable agriculture networks as the Education and Outreach Coordinator at Seed Savers Exchange, the Midwest Ambassador for WWOOF-USA, co-founder of the Driftless Young Farmers Coalition, board member of the Iowa Farmers Union, and Sustainability Coordinator for Luther College.

Toby has stewarded participatory coalitions through leadership positions with Rural Organizing, Mutual Aid Hub, the Impact Project, and the Iowa Organic Association. She has gained electoral campaign experience across the country, serving in strategic roles for razor-thin elections like Kayla Koether’s 2018 Iowa House race, Pete Buttigieg’s Iowa Caucus team, and Abigail Spanberger’s 2020 campaign.

Toby is an alumna of Grinnell College and holds a Masters in sustainable agriculture systems. Her north star is to do the most good for the most beings.