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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. 

 

  • 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

Calendar [ more ]