Upcoming events

Join us as we gather together an inspiring group of current and aspiring managers of Community Seed Banks from across the region. Together we will explore the in's and out's of the diverse Community Seed Bank models in use across ECHO's existing network. Time will be split between classroom time and hands-on activities to gain better understanding of both the theory and practice of operating low-cost, context-appropriate Community Seed Banks. This course is designed for current managers and those that aspire to start their own operations. 

Le invitamos a compartir experiencias y soluciones para formar redes que hacen la diferencia en promover una vida mejor en relación con nuestro prójimo, nuestro planeta y nosotros mismos.

Problemas como el hambre, la pobreza, los cambios climáticos…requieren personas comprometidas para hacer la diferencia. ¡Sea parte de la solución!

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 successes, personal experiences, and transferrable principles for addressing food insecurity. Along with learning from presenters, delegates will also have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience at ECHO's Small Farm Resource Center during the afternoon breakout sessions. Networking with like-minded individuals is a key highlight of the conference. 

Join us from November 12-14 in Fort Myers, Florida for this important gathering. (Check-in available on November 11th and 12th). Additionally, there will be an optional one-day post-conference workshops on November 15th. We invite you to celebrate more than 30 years of networking and learning together at this enriching event.

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 suited to smallholder agricultural contexts in Asia.

Faith and Farming is a scripture engagement initiative, connecting the Bible with everyday farmers' experiences to facilitate the impact of Bible translation. It has two primary goals, to help all those who work on the land to:

1) engage with all of the Bible in the language that they use as they work on their farms or with their animals, and
2) make a connection between their faith in God and their day to day work, so that their whole life is impacted and reflects God’s greatness in everything they do and say.

To do this, the Faith and Farming materials highlight and draw on the many farmers in the Bible, including God Himself, the very first "farmer" who planted the Garden of Eden.

The LEAD Community of Practice and ECHO North America Impact Centre are excited to be hosting this training event, contextualising the Faith and Farming materials for community engagement workers in the Americas. The event is suitable for both farmers and those who work alongside and support farmers, and will provide an introduction to the wider Faith and Farming curriculum for those who would like to incorporate its principles into their own work. Visit the Faith and Farming website for more information about the Faith and Farming programme.

While efforts will be made to ensure the material is relevant and appropriate for the Americas region, as with all training, much of the material covered will need to be sensitively considered and potentially adapted for implementation in your own unique work setting. It should also be noted that this training event is open to people of differing faiths and no faith, and the LEAD community of practice recognises the benefits of diversity when dealing with complex topics. However, for this event in particular the training will be based on stories and principles from the Christian Bible. Please consider carefully whether this is an event that you will be comfortable participating in fully.

Event Goal:

Participants return to their organisations and places of work with a better understanding of the connections between their faith, farming and agriculture more broadly, and are equipped and motivated to share their learning with others.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the event participants will have...

1. A basic theological understanding of the connections between Faith and Farming,

2. Reviewed and considered what the Bible has to say about farming and agriculture more broadly, and what the implications are for us as we work with the land in a sustainable way,

3. Considered what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a farmer and the implications for Scripture Engagement initiatives,

4. Seen firsthand a selection of sustainable farming techniques demonstrated at the ECHO Global Farm,

5. Begun to plan what their next steps are for incorporating their learning into their own work and context.

And (our hope is that) by six months after the event participants will have run one training event in their own location, with the support of others as needed.