23rd annual ECHO International Agriculture Conference held in North Fort Myers
Every human being in the world should have the right to be able to feed themselves and their families. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.
Fortunately, though, there are people who care enough to want to make a difference.
Hundreds of farmers and missionaries from around the globe came to Southwest Florida this past week to network, find better ways to feed the hungry and exchange ideas at the 23rd annual ECHO International Agriculture Conference.
The morning and evening events took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers where speakers shared their solutions to agricultural issues.
The afternoon sessions were held at the ECHO Farm in North Fort Myers, where delegates broke for lunch and had a more hands-on experience to see things they learn in the classroom put to use.
Danielle Flood, communications director at ECHO, said the delegates from 20 countries have been connecting to each other in ways they never have before.
“Most people are excited to be around like-minded people and be encouraged in their work,” Flood said. “We learn a lot from our presenters and people doing the work around the world. We are blessed to share the resources we have gained from others.”
At the farm, delegates got to learn more about soil life, grafting, and urban agriculture, the idea of growing plants in five-gallon containers using a fraction of the water used on a traditional farm, as well as workshops on linguistics and financial literacy. They also got to take the traditional tours of the farm and seed bank.
Jim Schwai taught the urban agriculture workshop, called SAG gardening, which brings water to the soil through a wicking process.
“If you have a porch or patio, you can put one of these on here and plant tomatoes or whatever. All you need is four to five hours of sunlight,” Schwai said.
Sefra Alexandra, who came to the conference in hopes of being able to help people in Haiti, was invited to the conference and spoke about what she has learned in an ECHO promo they were filming.
“It’s been wonderful for networking and seeing all the educational resources they provide,” Alexandra said. “A lot of my friends have spoken so highly of ECHO for years. It’s great to see these well-cultivated lands.”
Jean Dunne-Michel of Haiti came to learn about farming and how to protect the environment.
“Most of the people don’t have knowledge. When they get that knowledge, they can share it with others and can benefit,” Michel said.
Hunger isn’t just an issue in third-world countries, but here in the United States. Emily Haff, came from Waco, Texas to learn about poverty both here and abroad.
“We’re hoping to learn things here to help the schools in Waco who have gardens. I’m excited to teach worm-composting to the kids,” Haff said. “Hunger is a real serious issue here. Obesity goes hand in hand with hunger. It has to do with the kind of food you’re getting.”
Abby Petersen of Minnesota, a journalism student from Bethel University who came to the conference to report on it from her school, said the problem is systemic.
“It’s expensive to be poor because it isn’t so much the lack of food but lack of access for those who don’t have money or the means of preservation such as refrigerators,” Petersen said.