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SIFAT Training 2024-11-02

From September 20-26, Servants In Faith and Technology (SIFAT; sifat.org/) held a Food Security and Agroecology training at their demonstration farm in La Tigra, San Carlos, Costa Rica. Participants from Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Haiti started each day with prayer and meditation together. Themes of community development included practical on-farm trainings and visits. 

Typical agroecological practices on the SIFAT demonstration farm showcased biological agents for pest control and soil improvement like “mountain microorganisms” and biochar. On-farm experimentation by the National Agricultural University of Honduras showed the practical implementation of these practices while characterizing their role in the agroecology of local farms. 

Reforestation and nursery management training, with multi-generations taking part in the Ecological Grandmother program showed effective and inclusive tree planting in Costa Rica.This program [http://edn.link/9h4drt] showed the importance of all generations working together. Small-scale farm entrepreneurship highlighted concerns of successful women’s cooperatives and family enterprises as well as environmental education. The Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture reminded attendees of the positive role governments play with the environment and peace as priorities. Special presentations from Nicaragua “Development is from the Heart” and the experiences from SIFAT Haiti encouraged participants. The content of the event covered not only organic agricultural production but also simple nutritional responses to hunger through workshops on leafy greens such as a class on preparing Brazilian spinach.

SIFAT is building an Appropriate Technology center to expand training in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was a rewarding time of fellowship, prayer, and belonging to a diverse group of people, while always remembering the 13,400 children under five who die daily of hunger-related causes (UNIGME, 2024).

Reference

United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality. 2024. Estimation (UNIGME), Levels & Trends in Child Mortality: Report 2023. United Nations Children’s Fund. New York, USA.
 

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Upcoming events

ECHO® International Agriculture Conference  - 2024
Tue, 12 November 2024 » Thu, 14 November 2024

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

Visit The Conference Website Welcome to the 31st 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...

ECHO Asia Tropical Agriculture & Development (TAD) Course
Mon, 18 November 2024 » Sat, 23 November 2024

ECHO Asia Small Farm Resource Center Chiang Mai, Thailand, Thailand

This 1-week course is designed for development workers, missionaries, and volunteers looking to engage their communities with low-cost, high-impact agricultural ideas 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 suite...

ECHO North America: Introduction to Tropical Agriculture Development - January 2025
Mon, 20 January 2025 » Fri, 24 January 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 healt...

The 8th ECHO East Africa Biennial Symposium in collaboration with Hope International Burundi
Tue, 25 February 2025 » Thu, 27 February 2025

King's Conference Center (KCC), Burundi

We are soliciting potential presenters  and attendees for the 8th ECHO East Africa Biennial Symposium in collaboration with Hope International Burundi, to be held in Bujumbura from the 25th - 27th February, 2025, a three day sharing event to be held at the King's Conference Center (KCC)  in Bujumbura, Burundi. The event will draw participants from all across East Africa to address issues of sustainable agriculture and appropriate technologies. We prefer presentations with practical informatio...

ECHO North America: TAD II: Food Forests, Garden Design and Planning
Mon, 7 April 2025 » Fri, 11 April 2025

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This is a five day, hands-on course that will focus on food forests and garden design. By taking this course you will learn how to design and start a food forest in your own backyard. Participants will walk through the design process with professional designers, starting from setting goals, surveying the piece of land, building a base map, considering earthworks, and creatively designing around constraints. Attendees will be able to see and apply these principles to a small garden or a lar...

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