Upcoming events

Syntropic Farming is a farming revolution grown out of Brazil and made famous by Ernst Gotsch and the Life in Syntropy short documentary. Syntropic Farming seeks to cultivate resilient ecosystems that are abundant, financially viable and heal abused land. It asks us, as stewards of the land to live in harmony with nature. It asks that we learn from nature through imitating natural processes in order to produce food. This results in abundant systems which grow healthy soils, sequester carbon, produce a diverse array of yields, regenerate the ecosystem and that don't require long term external inputs. Syntropic Farming is a holistic approach, working with nature’s processes and the dynamics of ecosystems.   See :   http://ranchomastatal.com/syntropicfarming/

This six day course, taught by Fernando Rebello and Thiago Barbosa will provide students with an introduction to syntropic farming theory, methodology and practice.

This class will leave students with examples of how syn-tropical agriculture is applied to vegetable, fruit, grain, and livestock farming and how these are incorporated into agroforestry systems. The class includes a hands-on component where we will be installing a small syntropic farming demonstration at Rancho Mastatal. No farming experience is necessary.

The course will specifically cover the following topics:

• Introduction to the principles of syntropic agriculture.
• Ecosystem considerations. How do we create syntropic systems according to our climate, soils, water, and vegetation?
• Implementation and management strategies.
• Vegetable production. Patterns and succession of species over time.
• Fruit growing. Staple crops, pruning, stratification strategies, savanna ecosystems and their management.
• Grain production. Combining forest species with grains, spacing, and production perspecetives.
• Livestock incorporation.
• The syntropic farming movement and how to get involved.

We invite you to participate in a conference that would help strengthen connections amongst those working in the agricultural sector in Haiti and spend time learning from one another. The conference will take place June 24-28, 2019 at HRM Mission in La Baleine, South Department, Haiti.

This conference is tailored to encourage conference delegates and presenters to connect and learn from each other’s successes and failures. There will be plenary sessions in the morning followed by workshops in the same themes in the afternoon. Some of the subjects include:

1. Fruit processing
2. Natural insecticides
3. Fruit tree management

Our goal in this conference is to connect delegates, brainstorm ideas together, and learn from each other. We invite anyone to share about a topic or technique during an afternoon workshop. There is a section in the registration form to fill out regarding this option.

For more information or assistance, please contact: konferans.agrikol@gmail.com

Agroforestry is the agricultural practice of combining the management of annual crops and/or animals with trees. Agroforestry systems, largely composed of perennial crops, offer the resilience needed to address extreme climatic issues such as drought and torrential rain, along with social and economic factors that influence agricultural production of small-scale farmers.  

This five-day course will introduce students to key agroforestry concepts, allow them to see the various agroforestry and perennial cropping systems at ECHO, and provide hands-on experience in agroforestry. A few of the agroforestry systems that will be included in the course are: Food Forests, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, micro-woodlots, Home gardens, and Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT).  

WHAT IS SOSS?

• An annual gathering of graduate students, researchers, farmers, and seed industry professionals working in organic seed systems.

• The major annual event of the Society of Organic Seed Professionals (SOSP), the parent organization that has grown out of the SOSS network. SOSP is fiscally sponsored by Organic Seed Alliance, a 501(c)3 organization.

ECHO offers over 350 varieties in its Florida seed bank requiring diverse approaches to growing, processing, and storing seeds. This five-day course will begin in ECHO’s seed production plots to help participants better understand how crops are managed and harvested. Techniques related to both wet and dry processing of seeds will be practiced, as well as, essential tasks such as germination testing. Long-term seed storage approaches including vacuum sealing and cold storage will be explored, emphasis will be placed on seed saving technologies and approaches for challenging tropical locations.

“Small Scale: Up Scale” 

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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 scale up!

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Join us October 1-4 for 3-days of networking and opportunities to share ideas, technologies appropriate for small scale farmers, and lots of practical demonstrations at the new ECHO Asia Seed Bank & Small Farm Resource Center!

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In addition to morning plenary speakers, we will conduct afternoon workshops at the ECHO Farm, an evening poster session, a seed exchange, followed by a 1-day site visit to one of many area best practice sites! 

To view highlights from 2017 Conference click below:

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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 be centered 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. 

Who the course is for:

This course will especially benefit those who are considering short- or long-term involvement in international agricultural development work. It can also be of benefit to those who have been on the field doing development work for a few years but who would like to take a step back and re-evaluate their approach. Those who could benefit from this course include short-term or career missionaries, international project volunteers (e.g. Peace Corps), leaders of relief-oriented organizations, or missions committee leaders of churches involved in agricultural projects overseas. 

What is offered:

This course covers a broad range of topics relevant to those starting out 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.

A  three day conference that will discuss challenges facing small scale farmers and development workers in the tropics.

Each day is broken into a morning of plenary speakers at the hotel and an afternoon of workshops on the ECHO Global Demonstration Farm. Thursday night closes with a banquet dinner. 

You can watch videos of the Plenary Speakers from last year's conference here

Best practices improving nutrition and sustainable agriculture in highland areas.

This ECHO Symposium will provide a network and training opportunity for those involved in alleviating hunger and poverty in highlands of East Africa. Three mornings of plenary sessions featuring knowledgeable and experienced speakers would be followed by afternoon workshops and discussion groups led by regional agricultural development workers and experts.

Symposium Dates - 26th-28th November, 2019
25th November Check-in and Fellowship 
26th - 28th November Meeting Days
29th November Check-out and Optional Post Symposium Tours 

A symposium on best practices to improve nutrition and livelihoods in pastoralist areas.

This ECHO Symposium provides a network and training opportunity for those involved in alleviating hunger and poverty in pastoralist areas of East Africa. Three mornings of plenary sessions featuring knowledgeable and experienced speakers would be followed by afternoon workshops and discussion groups led by regional agricultural development workers and experts.

Symposium Dates - 2nd-4th March, 2020
1st March Check-in and Fellowship 
2nd -4th March Meeting Days
5th March Check-out and Optional Post Symposium Tours