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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 2026 Training Calendar below to save the dates and join us for upcoming trainings and conference!

2026 NARIC Training Calendar Updated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

  • 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® 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...

Farming God's Way
Tue, 20 January 2026 » Sat, 24 January 2026

ECHO North America, United States

  Farming God's Way is an amazing solution to the food security and poverty crisis facing agricultural communities, using well-integrated biblical, management and technical keys to help break the yokes of physical and spiritual poverty among the poor.  Farming God's Way is rooted in a deep, heartfelt consideration for the poor, based on our founding scripture, Isaiah 58.         January 26-30 is an Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development Training. If you would l...

Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development - January 2026
Mon, 26 January 2026 » Fri, 30 January 2026

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 healt...

TOT with Global CHE Network
Mon, 23 February 2026 » Fri, 27 February 2026

ECHO North America, United States

                    Those interested in preparing for short/long-term involvement in community and agricultural development internationally are encouraged to participate in this five-day (35 hours) training course. Course participants will gain an introduction to aspects of poverty and community development and an orientation to ECHO. They will also receive instruction on proven community development, including agricultural principles/practices and practical ...

Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development - April 2026
Mon, 13 April 2026 » Fri, 17 April 2026

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 healt...

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