July 2025, ECHO North America will be hosting back-to-back trainings for TAD I and TAD II!

Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development (TAD I) will be July 7-11! For more details that relate specifically to this training please use this link for more information.

TAD II: Syntropic Agroforestry will be July 15-18! For more details that relate specifically to this training please use this link for more information.

You can Register for BOTH events for a reduced cost per training! Save $200 off regular registration prices, or $300 if you register early and get the Early Bird price! 

Those interested in preparing for short to long-term involvement in international agriculture development are encouraged to participate in this five-day course.  Topics and discussions will focus on improved food security and agricultural livelihoods for small-scale farmers in developing countries.  Participants will be introduced to the complexities related to poverty and community development.  They will also be introduced to principles and practices that contribute toward maintaining healthy and productive soil as well as improved water management and crop production (e.g., annuals and perennials). The vital role of livestock and appropriate technology is also incorporated into the course. During the week, activities will include presentations, farm-based practicums, consultations with ECHO staff, and opportunities for research in the ECHO Resource Library. 

What is offered:

This course covers a broad range of topics relevant to those starting in agricultural development in a tropical environment.  The purpose of this class is to expose you to several different ideas and concepts.  Although a significant amount of time will be spent looking at examples on the ECHO Farm, given the breadth of topics covered, extensive hands-on farm work should not be an expectation of taking this course.

July 15-18 is a TAD 2 Training on Syntropic Agroforestry. If you would like to take part in both TAD Trainings you can "Bundle and Save". That's two information-packed weeks on the ECHO farm learning from experienced ECHO staff and Partners and interacting with a multitude of tropical crops, systems, and animals. 

Click Here to learn more about the TAD II Syntropic Agroforestry course.

Introduction to Syntropic Agriculture

This is an interactive 4-day agroforestry training session.  Learn how to cultivate abundant food and timber in a system that mimics a natural forest.  Syntropic farming is a method inspired by Ernst Götsch.

This course will cover the principles and practices needed for a beginner to plant his/her own agroforest.  Basic design and management skills will also be taught.  An attendee can expect to return home with enough knowledge to produce a couple of rows of trees, so they start learning more through firsthand experience.

About your Instructors

Roger Gietzen is a father, medical doctor, and humanitarian worker interested in holistic health and regenerative agriculture. After coming to Haiti to serve the poorest, he created the nonprofit Global Freedom Project. Since 2016, he has been working on an educational program to help spread the wisdom of syntropic farming to the family farmers of Haiti. 

Mauro Rosito is a father, humanitarian worker, and farmer with years of firsthand experience in syntropic agriculture. He has operated a sustainable market garden business on his family farm in Southern Brazil. Shortly after he met Roger, he decided to join the team in Haiti and bring his expertise “to the table” to help create this educational program. He has a particular interest in cacao farming.

July 7-11 is an Intro to Tropical Agriculture Development 1 Training. If you would like to take part in both TAD Trainings you can "Bundle and Save". That's two information-packed weeks on the ECHO farm learning from experienced ECHO staff and Partners and interacting with a multitude of tropical crops, systems, and animals. 

Click Here to learn more about the Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development training. 

Kind Greetings from ECHO East Africa. We are delighted to ask you to participate and present at our upcoming Innovation Exchange Conference organised by ECHO East Africa in collaboration with the Watersheds Foundation. The conference will focus on Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Sustainable Agriculture and Appropriate Technologies. This event will take place between 16th to 18th July 2025 at the Uhuru Hostel & Conference Centre in Moshi, Tanzania. Innovative ideas by groups funded by the Watersheds Foundation and previously by Waterlines will be shared. Practices, experiences and technology by ECHO and regional partners will be showcased across topics in food security, sustainable livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). This engagement by ECHO will bring together participants from across East Africa to share their innovative ideas and appropriate technologies.

This two-day event is designed to foster practical and cross-organizational learning. We are particularly interested in presentations that will strengthen participants' knowledge of protection and reforestation of watersheds, WASH, food security, sustainable fuels, income generation using low external inputs, resource efficiency, reducing waste and erosion, and supporting environmental sustainability.

Your organization is highly regarded in the region, and based on discussions with our organizing team, we would be honored to have you present at this important event. We believe your insights and best practices will greatly contribute to addressing the challenges faced by water users and small-scale farmers in East Africa 

หลักสูตรการอบรมนี้ถูกออกแบบขึ้นเพื่อเป็นประโยชน์ต่อ ผู้ที่ทำงานด้านการพัฒนา มิชชั่นนารี และอาสาสมัคร ที่กำลังมองหาแนวทางในการประยุกต์ใช้ทักษะและเทคนิคด้านการทำการเกษตรที่มีประโยชน์และมีต้นทุนต่ำในการทำงานกับชุมชน ผู้เข้าร่วมอบรมจะได้เรียนรู้และฝึกปฏิบัติเทคนิคการทำการเกษตรที่หลากหลายตลอดการอบรม เรียนรู้ที่จะใช้ประโยชน์จากที่มีตัวเองมีอยู่ให้เกิดประโยชน์สูงสุด

หลักสูตรนี้เปรียบเสมือนกับ หลักสูตรการเริ่มต้นสำรวจ ซึ่งผู้เข้าร่วมอบรมจะได้เรียนรู้ภาพรวมของหัวข้อและเทคนิคในการทำการเกษตรต่างๆที่เหมาะสมกับบริบทของเกษตรกรขนาดเล็กในภูมิภาคเอเชีย

This 1-week course is designed for development workers, pastors, and volunteers looking to engage their communities with low-cost, high-impact agricultural innovations and techniques. Participants will be introduced to various agricultural practices and technologies through classroom time and hands-on activities on the farm, learning to 'use what you have to make what you need.'

This course is considered an 'introductory survey course' and will present a broad overview of many options suited to smallholder agricultural contexts in Asia. 

Those interested in advancing sustainable agriculture through seed security are invited to join this 5-day intensive on seed saving and seed banking. Participants will explore key topics such as seed biology, multiplication, selection, processing, storage, and pest management, with an emphasis on enhancing food security and agricultural development. The course includes hands-on demonstrations and real-world applications, providing practical skills for successful seed management in the tropics. The week will conclude with a seed swap, offering an opportunity to connect and exchange resources with fellow participants.

Beyond the few staple grains that supply most of the world’s food lies a host of plant species that are largely neglected in terms of research devoted to them. Among them are fruits, agroforestry species, green manure/cover crops, leafy greens, biofuel species, animal forage and fodder species, and plants that provide ecological services such as erosion control. Advancing our knowledge of these plants is vital to creating food and agroecosystems that thrive under challenging growing conditions and changing climates.

Hosted by ECHO Inc., under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science, this four-day symposium will feature a mix of plenary, oral, and poster sessions, a full day at ECHO’s Global Research and Demonstration Farm in Florida USA, and a day of field excursions to
surrounding agricultural sites. Please join us for a rich time of renewed discovery and knowledge sharing in October 2025!

Visit the Event Website

Registrations Open!

How can we help small scale farming initiatives thrive in Asia? We can provide low-cost, innovative options that allow people to grow both their crops and their knowledge, expand their operations, and thrive!

Join us October 22-24 for 3-days of networking and opportunities to share ideas, technologies appropriate for small-scale farmers, and numerous practical demonstrations at the ECHO Asia Small Farm Resource Center & Seed Bank!

In addition to morning plenary speakers, we will conduct afternoon workshops at the ECHO Small Farm Resource Centrer, an evening poster session, a seed exchange, and site visits to local farms!

Visit The Conference Website

Welcome to the 32^nd annual ECHO International Agriculture Conference! This event brings together industry leaders, practitioners, researchers, and educators dedicated to eradicating hunger and improving lives through agriculture and community development. Our plenary, breakout, and workshop sessions offer valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Attendees will have the chance to hear from speakers who share their agricultural challenges and successes, personal experiences, and transferrable principles for addressing food insecurity. Along with learning from presenters, delegates will also have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience at ECHO's Small Farm Resource Center during the afternoon breakout sessions. Networking with like-minded individuals is a key highlight of the conference. 

Join us from November 11-13 in Fort Myers, Florida for this important gathering. Additionally, there will be an optional one-day post-conference workshops on November 14^th. We invite you to celebrate more than 30 years of networking and learning together at this enriching event.