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North America Regional Resources

About the Impact Center

ECHO NA DroneThe mission and purpose of ECHO North America Regional Impact Center (North America RIC) is to equip small-scale farmers, missionaries, and development workers worldwide to combat hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Here at ECHO North America, individuals are trained with practical and cost-effective ways to reduce hunger through agricultural practices.

Upcoming Events:

See our 2025 Training Calendars below to save the dates and join us for upcoming trainings and conference!

ECHO North America 2025 Trainings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connect With Us Through

 

  • ECHO International Agriculture Conference: The plenary speakers, breakout sessions and workshops provide opportunities for learning with others devoted to eradicating hunger and improving lives through agriculture, clean water, and community development. Speakers share their agricultural challenges and successes, personal experiences, and transferrable principles for improving the lives of millions facing food insecurity daily. The highlight is networking with like-minded practitioners, researchers, and educators. 
    • Join us at our 2025 conference from November 11-13.
    • Reach us at conference@echonet.org if you have additional questions about conference

 

  • IV International Symposium on Underutilized Plant Species Conference: 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. 

 

  • Farm Tours: We currently have two tours that take place on the farm: ECHO Global Farm Tour and ECHO Appropriate Technology Village Tour. During the Global Farm Tour you’ll experience farming at its most creative, with unique demonstrations, plants, and techniques being used to help farmers and urban gardeners in developing countries. During the Appropriate Technology Tour you’ll discover how simple technologies can improve food, water, and shelter for millions of people. These technologies include transforming sand into water filters, manure into energy, and bicycles into power tools. For more information or to schedule a tour please use the links provided: 

 

  • Seed Bank: The goal of the ECHO Global Seed Bank is to serve as a resource for development workers who wish to experiment with underutilized crops as they work to improve the lives of small scale farmers and gardeners. The seed bank maintains a collection of hard-to-find seeds that thrive under the often difficult growing conditions of the tropics and sub-tropics.

 

  • Internships: Our 1-year internship equips college graduates with the academic theory and practical skills related to agriculture and community development. This year helps prepare interns to serve as international missionaries and development workers. Upon successful completion, they receive a Certificate in Tropical Agriculture Development. After 1 year at ECHO, interns may have the opportunity to participate in a 6-month field experience at one of ECHO’s Regional Impact Centers.

 

 

Services

  • Host trainings to gain applicable agricultural knowledge and skill to better serve others in need
  • Host annual conferences to share agricultural knowledge and build network connections
  • ECHO seed bank provides packaged seeds to network members in need
  • Provide garden and agricultural displays for different terrains found world-wide
  • Offer technical responses to agriculture questions to network members through ECHOcommunity.org
  • Give farm tours to interested guests to learn more about ECHO's mission and the fight against hunger

Contact:

Dr. Grace Miller

Dr. Grace Miller

Phone Number

239-567-3375

Email Address

gmiller@echonet.org

NorthAmerica@ECHOcommunity.org

Physical Address

ECHO North America Regional Impact Center

17391 Durrance Rd.

North Fort Myers, FL 33917

North America Updates

2025 ECHO International Agriculture Conference Registration is Now Open! 2025-05-27

Registration is now open for the 2025 ECHO International Agriculture Conference!

Fort Myers, FL | November 11-13, 2025

Join us for three inspiring days of learning, connection and innovation as we explore Pathways to Flourishing - a powerful theme focused on defeating hunger and improving lives. Hear from dynamic plenary speakers and breakout session leaders from around the world.
 
Register by August 1st to take advantage of our Early Bird discount!
For more details and to secure your spot, visit the EIAC Website below.

Conference Website

ECHOcommunity Updates [ Read all ]
Underutilized Crops Symposium: Register Today!
Upcoming Spring Trainings

Upcoming events: North America

ECHO North America: July 2025 Bundle & Save TAD I & TAD II
Mon, 7 July 2025 » Fri, 18 July 2025

ECHO North America, United States

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 train...

ECHO North America: Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development - July 2025
Mon, 7 July 2025 » Fri, 11 July 2025

ECHO North America, United States

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 h...

ECHO North America: TAD II - Syntropic Agroforestry July 2025
Tue, 15 July 2025 » Fri, 18 July 2025

ECHO North America, United States

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 ...

ECHO North America: TAD II - Seed Banking Sept 2025
Mon, 15 September 2025 » Fri, 19 September 2025

ECHO North America, United States

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...

ECHO® International Agriculture Conference  - 2025
Tue, 11 November 2025 » Thu, 13 November 2025

ECHO Global Farm and Crowne Plaza Fort Myers Gulf Coast Hotel, Ft. Myers, USA  , USA

  Visit The Conference Website   Welcome to the 32nd 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 chal...

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