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Study Program
ECHO provides opportunities for development workers, missionaries, and college students to receive hands-on training in Tropical Agriculture.
The Guided Self Study ProgramThis program combines access to ECHO's broad range of resources related to tropical agriculture with a chance to do hands-on work on the Global Farm. Though we are not a formal training center, ECHO provides an environment that fosters learning. The Study Program is designed to serve both active overseas development practitioners and residents of North America, often college students or recent graduates, who are interested in overseas service and who want an introduction to tropical agriculture. The latter group may also be interested in the 12-month agricultural internship. To learn more about the program, please visit the following link: Tropical Agriculture Internship ECHO offers various training opportunities through courses and conferences that are not directly part of this program. See information and dates on the events page. We are interested only in mature participants with a serious desire to learn, a capacity for self-directed study, and an expressed interest in development work. High moral standards and a lifestyle consistent with the Christian faith are required. Mid-career and senior missionaries should also ask about our Missionary-in-Residence program. Program OptionsParticipants choose between full and half-time study options. The half-time study option is an equal split of a 40-hour work week between study and work on our Global Farm. Those with prior agricultural experience overseas often choose full-time study to maximize the benefit of their time at ECHO. Those with less first-hand experience in tropical agriculture often want to benefit from the hands-on work it takes to maintain the Global Farm. Shortly after arrival, participants meet with the Study Program Coordinator to discuss learning goals and areas of interest. Participants receive an explanation of how to use our library and other resources, a listing of topics related to their goals and key books, and some assistance in refining their study program. Resources at ECHO include books, a large compilation of articles organized by subject, computers for database searches, videos, appropriate technologies, bookstore, farm, arboretum and tropical plant nursery. Participants are also able to take part in weekly training activities, special seminars and presentations for interns and staff. Students who choose both work and study spend half of each week working with ECHO interns, who are responsible for maintaining the Global Farm. Daily tasks depend on the season and needs at the time. We encourage students to value this time of work because it is a time of learning in a hands-on setting. Work on the farm involves some combination of four main activities: assisting with the establishment or maintenance of our plantings, weeding and other general farm tasks, helping to feed and care for our animals, and working with appropriate technologies. Emphasis is on plant and animal species that are appropriate for the tropics or subtropics. When to ApplyECHO accepts Study Program participants throughout the year. Participants spend a few days to a few months at ECHO, depending on their personal goals and situation. Apply early and plan to be flexible, as the number of applicants we can accept depends largely on availability of housing. WhereECHO's Global Farm is located at 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33917. Program Costs
If you have questions about the study program, please contact ECHO's Study Program Coordinator, at (239) 543-3246 or email echo@echonet.org. Study Program Application in PDF Format Study Program Application in Microsoft Word Format If you are interested in studying at ECHO, please send a completed study application to: Study Program or to echo@echonet.org We review applications for the student program periodically. To maximize your chance of being accepted for the study program at ECHO, apply as early as possible. Other Training OptionsECHO's study program provides access to many resources, but it is not a formal training program. However, there are groups that specialize in formal technical training programs appropriate for those preparing for development projects overseas. These are some of those programs: SIFAT (Southern Institute of Appropriate Technology)Rt. 1 Box D 14 HEART Program (Hunger Elimination Action and Resource Training)5301 US Highway 27 South The Appropriate Technology Institute126 Rock House Rd World Hunger Relief, Inc.356 Spring Lake Rd. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phone: 239-543-3246 17391 Durrance Road North Fort Myers, FL 33917 © 2009 ECHO |
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