ECHO, Inc #echofightshunger is a non-profit agro-ecological organization whose mission is to support small-scale farmers through the dissemination of information and underutilized plant seeds.[1][2] The group operates several seed banks worldwide which preserves biodiversity and seed sovereignty.[3] ECHO also offers training courses and workshops on many topics, including tropical agriculture.[4]
Headquarters and North America Impact Center
editECHO is headquartered in North Fort Myers, Florida. Its 56 acre campus houses the North America Impact Center, a demonstration and research farm, a reference library with a variety of resources about rare agricultural crops and techniques,[5] a seed bank, a tropical fruit nursery with a large collection of bamboo varieties, and a bookstore. The North America Impact Center also includes an appropriate technology center developing tools and equipment for small scale farmers.[6] Various parts of the farm demonstrate agriculture in different conditions including highlands, lowlands, semi-arid and a demonstration of the techniques of urban agriculture that have been implemented around the world.[7][8]
Regional Impact Centers
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In addition to the North America Impact Center, ECHO operates three other Regional Impact Centers to bring agricultural resources to small-scale farmers in the surrounding areas/regions of Chiang Mai, Thailand (Asia Impact Center), Arusha, Tanzania (East Africa Impact Center),[9] and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (West Africa Impact Center).
Seed distribution
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ECHO maintains a collection of useful tropical trees and other plants and provides seed and cuttings,[10] free of charge, to individuals actively involved in agricultural development, with the intention that these open-pollinated seeds will be harvested from the resulting crops and distributed in the communities.[11][12] For example, ECHO disseminates seeds and information about Moringa oleifera, a nutritional plant species useful for providing essential vitamins and minerals for people in developing countries in the tropics. To order seeds from ECHO as an active development worker, create an account on ECHOcommunity.org and request seeds through the website. Free trial packets can be received once per year.
Technical Notes
editECHO publishes a series of technical notes that cover a variety of topics related to appropriate technology, agroecology and agroforestry.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Nierenberg, Danielle; Small, Sarah (23 January 2015). "101 Global Food Organizations to Watch in 2015". Food Tank. Food Tank. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ O’phelan, Ann Marie (January 12, 2015). "Farm tours bring ag up-close and personal". Central Florida’s Agri-Leader. Highlands. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ Holmer, R.; Linwattana, G; Keatinge, J.D.H.; Nath, P. (January 2013). SEAVEG 2012: High Value Vegetables in Southeast Asia: Production, Supply and Demand. AVRDC-WorldVegetableCenter. ISBN 9789290582007. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ "Kalamazoo native Russell Powell honored by Florida Nonprofit Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization". Kalamazoo Gazette. April 10, 2010
- ^ "Bonita Middle students learn the ropes of self-sustained farming"[permanent dead link]. KELLY O'NEIL , The Banner. May 17, 2009
- ^ "5 Super Simple Ways to Get Your Urban Garden Going". Treehugger, A.K. Streeter, March 2, 2011
- ^ Smit, Jac; Nasr, Joe; Ratta, Annu (2001). Urban Agriculture: Food, Jobs and Sustainable Cities (PDF) (2001 ed.). The Urban Agriculture Network, Inc. pp. Chapter 5 page 7–8.
- ^ "Man helps others through organic farming". Fremont Tribune, September 8, 2013 By Carolyn Gibbs.
- ^ "Earth Day: 15 Recommendations Using Agriculture to Address Environmental Issues". NewStaar Media, D Robert Curry, April 22, 2011
- ^ "Chaya - Mayan Tree-Spinach, Cabbage Star". GoodFood World, Arthur Lee Jacobson, March 20th, 2012
- ^ "USF hospitality students use Lakewood Ranch community garden to enhance learning"[permanent dead link].Bradenton Herald, By CLAIRE ARONSON December 10, 2014.
- ^ "Anna Maria Island garden project growing, raising awareness". Bay News 9, Summer Smith, June 28, 2014,