About ECHOcommunity

ECHOcommunity is a membership community that provides access to nearly all of ECHO’s resources online, as well as communications tools to help development workers connect with each other.   View a list of ECHOcommunity.org features here.

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Upcoming events

TOT with Global CHE Network (March)
Mon, 24 March 2025 » Fri, 28 March 2025

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 techniques, systems and technologies to meet wholi...

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

ECHO North America, United States

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...

ECHO Asia: Intro to Natural Earth Building Techniques Workshop
Mon, 12 May 2025 » Fri, 16 May 2025

Chiang Mai, Thailand

  Course Description:  Dive into the art and science of sustainable construction! This hands-on, introductory experience will guide you through the fundamentals of natural building techniques, including adobe, wattle and daub, earthen plastering, and more. Through a mix of engaging classroom sessions and practical activities, you'll learn how to use locally sourced, eco-friendly materials to create durable and beautiful structures. Whether you're a beginner or have already begun you...

ECHO Asia: Tropical Agriculture & Development (TAD) Course
Mon, 2 June 2025 » Sat, 7 June 2025

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 innovations 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 op...

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...

Latest Resources

Chaya, A Public Health Important Shrub Whose Time has Come in Africa​

Chaya, A Public Health Important Shrub Whose Time has Come in  Africa​

Presentation outline: 

What is the problem​

What is Chaya​

So why Chaya​

 

Importance of Chaya in: a) Public health​, b) Gender issues​, c) Climate chang...

Green Manure agroforestry systems

Green Manure agroforestry systems

This presentation will go over what GM/CCs are and an example of how they can be used. 

According to the FAO, "Green manure/cover crops are plants that are grown to provide soil cover and to improve the physical, c...

The Power of Partnerships: Advancing Sustainable Food Systems through Agroecology

The Power of Partnerships: Advancing Sustainable Food Systems through Agroecology

In this presentation, topics include: 

An agricultural ecosystem​ What is an ecosystem?​ Historic Approaches to Agroecology Brainstorming biotic & abiotic factors.  And, finally, a case study to demonst...

Biogas Technology for Smallholder Farmers

Biogas Technology for Smallholder Farmers

This presentation will cover: 

What does biogas technology mean to a small holder farmer? What is Biogas?  Types of biogas systems Dissemination of Biogas Technology​

 

Carbonized Rice Husks for Increased Production

Carbonized Rice Husks for Increased Production

This Presentation will go over the benefits of Carbonized Rice Husk (CRH)​: 

Very good in soil fertilizer and conditioner as it contains phosphorous (k), calcium (ca), and magnesium (mg) nutrients vital for crop gr...

Direct Solar Food Dryers:​ Simpler, Cheaper, Better?​

Direct Solar Food Dryers:​ Simpler, Cheaper, Better?​

The topics in this presentation include: 

 

Presenting an example of one solar dryer type and how it works​ Report on experience with using this solar dryer​ Think about ways to use solar food dryers ...

Best Practices in Livestock Projects​

Best Practices in Livestock Projects​

Learnings from project holders and farmers especially through the work of Heifer International Partners in Tanzania. 

Livestock are a beneficial part of most agricultural systems, contrary to some modern theo...

Protéger, restaurer, stopper la dégradation des terres et la biodiversité

Protéger, restaurer, stopper la dégradation des terres et la biodiversité

Les ressources en eau et en terres sont essentielles au développement économique et social des pays et le BURUNDI est une préoccupation. Ces ressources subissent de fortes pressions dues à la croissance démographique, à la s...

Some Serious Invasive Weeds​ in Northern Tanzania ​& their Management

This presentation will cover five of the most invasive, noxious plants in the north Tanzania. Parthenium hysterophorus, Chromolaena odorata, Prosopis juliflora, Opuntia sp., and Lantana camara.​

However, if you loo...

Why Pfumvudza Works ECHO Burundi

Why Pfumvudza Works ECHO Burundi

The topics in this presentation include: 

An introduction to Foundations for Farming  The Heart of FFF Why Pfumvudza is important The Concept  The Science  The Solution