Author: Danielle Flood

Empowering Farmers Globally 🌱 – The Thriving Farmer Podcast!

 

I am thrilled to connect with you through the virtual pages of The Thriving Farmer Podcast, where our recent episode has sparked conversations around the globe about empowering farmers and nurturing sustainable practices. As the CEO of ECHO, I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to share insights and experiences alongside Michael Kilpatrick, exploring the innovative work being done to support farmers worldwide.

In our discussion, we journeyed through various facets of ECHO’s mission and initiatives, shedding light on key themes that resonate deeply with the heart of ECHO’s mission and sustainable farming.

The Global Network: One of the cornerstones of ECHO’s approach is our expansive global network, spanning regions from North America to Asia, East Africa, and West Africa. Through our regional efforts and dedicated local teams, we are able to address the diverse and unique needs of farmers, fostering resilience and sustainability in agricultural practices.

Local Seed Sovereignty: We delved into the critical importance of local seed banks, not just as repositories of genetic diversity, but as guardians of food security, ecological resilience, and cultural heritage. Preserving and promoting local seed sovereignty is paramount to building resilient food systems that can weather the challenges of a changing climate.

ECHOcommunity.org: Our online platform serves as a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange, connecting farmers, practitioners, and enthusiasts from around the world. Here, individuals come together to share insights, learn from each other’s experiences, and collaborate on innovative solutions to common challenges in agriculture.

Faith in Action: We discussed the invaluable support of individual donors, including faith-based communities, in advancing ECHO’s mission. Their contributions play a crucial role in driving forward our initiatives and empowering farmers to thrive in their communities.

In-Person Engagement: At ECHO’s North America Impact Center, hands-on trainings and tours offer participants immersive learning experiences that translate theory into practice. These engagements not only build practical skills but also inspire a deeper connection to the land and its potential for abundance.

Agroecosystems & Appropriate Tech: Through simulations of global agricultural ecosystems and demonstrations of appropriate technologies, we explored innovative strategies for sustainable farming, including agroforestry, diverse cover cropping, conservation agriculture, and biochar production.

Chaya – A Superfood: We highlighted the nutritional benefits and culinary versatility of chaya, a nutrient-rich leafy green, and ongoing research efforts to develop safer and more fuel-efficient preparation methods.

Innovative Soil Strategies: Finally, we examined the role of diverse soil management techniques in improving soil fertility and resilience, paving the way for healthier ecosystems and more productive farms.

As we reflect on these discussions, I am reminded of the immense potential that lies within our collective efforts to nurture sustainability in agriculture. Together, let us continue to sow the seeds of change, empower farmers, and cultivate thriving communities around the world.

I invite you to listen to the full episode of The Thriving Farmer Podcast, join our global network, and embark on this journey towards a more sustainable agricultural future. Together, let us grow, learn, and thrive.

Listen today: https://www.thrivingfarmerpodcast.com/Abram-Bicksler/

With gratitude and determination,

Dr. Abram Bicksler President/CEO, ECHO

DIY Mango Blueberry Jam: a summertime take on a fridge staple

By Anna Pearson, Ella Roberts, and Sarah Bakeman

Grab your grocery list, erase the store-bought jams, and gather some old jars! It’s mango season at ECHO Global Farm, and I’m going to teach you how to make a refreshing and sweet mango blueberry jam. 

This flavor combination is a tropical getaway from your everyday strawberry jam, and, to make it better, ECHO’s experts helped me make this recipe more sustainable. After a few weeks of saving old almond butter and pasta sauce jars, a mango blueberry jam presented itself as the perfect way to give the glass containers a second life! 

I plan to give out my jars to ECHO’s amazing farm staff and interns, so I won’t be sealing the jars for long-term storage. Rather, I’ll be telling the recipients to pop their jars in the fridge and enjoy as the summer months heat up. 

If you’re looking to put these jars into long-term storage, this recipe will also walk you through the sealing process. For this, I advise using a canning jar, such as a Mason Jar.

Let’s get into the recipe!

Ingredients:

3 cups chopped mangoes

1 cup blueberries

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/2 tsp butter

1 box Sure Jell (fruit pectin)

4 cups sugar

(This recipe yields approximately 7, 8 oz. jars of jam)

Instructions:

Gather together your mangoes and blueberries and wash them

Peel all of the skin off your mangoes, either in a circular motion or vertical slices. As long as there’s no skin left, either way is fine! And make sure to collect the scraps for composting. 

Slice your mangoes, getting as much fruit off of the pit as possible. I cut my mango pieces a little bigger because my friends at the ECHO farm like a chunkier jam. But you can make these mango pieces as big or little as you wish. Keep in mind big chunks will boil down a bit once they’re on the stove! If you don’t like chunks, feel free to mash the fruit beforehand. 

Measure out 3 cups of chopped mangoes and 1 cup of blueberries and add to a large pot. Add lemon juice and butter into the pot with your fruit. 

Here’s the fun part! Turn your stove up to high heat and gradually stir in the pectin. The mixture should come to a rolling boil (when you stir, the mixture will continue to boil instead of dying down).

Once this rolling boil has started, stir in 4 cups of sugar. If it stops boiling, wait for it to come back to a boil. This will allow the sugar to dissolve! 

The new mixture should return to a boil. As soon as it does, set a timer for 3 minutes! It’s important to get this timing right to allow the sugar to have the proper reaction and create a jam consistency. Both science and the ECHO experts say so!

That’s all the cook time the jam needs! Pretty simple, right? After those 3 minutes, you can remove the jam from the heat and ladle it into jars. This recipe is good for about seven 8 oz jars, but you can use different sizes if needed. If you have a funnel, that will be helpful for getting the jam into the jars.

Do not fill your jars to the brim! Instead, leave about a ¼ inch of space at the top.

Lightly screw on the caps. If you are not planning to seal the jars (meaning you will consume the jam in the next couple of months), feel free to put the jar in the fridge. However, if you want to seal the jars, read on!

Bring a pot of water to a boil and submerge your cans. To ensure they are properly sealed, boil for 10 minutes – this is important. Again, set a timer!

Remove the jars from the boiling water, but be careful! I repeat, be careful! The jars will be hot. Here at ECHO, we recommend a canning jar lifter. 

Set the jars aside on a kitchen surface to cool. I like to leave them out overnight. If the jars make popping sounds, don’t be alarmed. This is a good sign! It means the jars are sealing. 

Once the jars have cooled, you’re good to store them in a cool, dry place for 18 months to 2 years! I like to label my jars with “enjoy by” dates.

Whenever you decide to crack a jar open and enjoy it, make sure to put it in the fridge! (And, of course, enjoy it!)

And that’s it! A simple recipe fit for beginners, experts, and everything in between. Whether you share this mango-blueberry treat with your loved ones or keep all the jars for yourself, please tweet a photo @ECHO_net or tag us on Instagram or Facebook @echofightshunger. We would love to see your results! 

Five Southwest Florida Field Trips for Family Fun

By Anna Pearson, Ella Roberts, and Sarah Bakeman

Whether you’re looking for a tropical farm to explore, a miniature train to catch, or a manatee yoga session, the sunshine state is a hub for both fun and education. Here are a few helpful hints for parents and teachers looking to switch up their daily routines. 

ECHO Global Farm

Located in North Fort Myers, ECHO is a non-profit tackling food insecurity at its source – teaching and innovating agricultural techniques for struggling small-scale farmers internationally. Explore seven geographically-themed settings on the Florida farm, showcasing crops, agricultural techniques, and animals worldwide. With one of the largest collections of tropical food plants in the United States, students will learn unconventional yet effective methods of growing these crops in less-than-ideal conditions. 

Discover how simple technologies can improve food, water, and shelter for millions of people on the Appropriate Technology Village Tour. Learn how sand can be transformed into water filters, manure into energy, and bicycles into power tools. See firsthand how ECHO uses simple solutions to change lives. After the tour, stop by the Bookstore and Nursery for more resources on implementing these methods in your classroom or at home. Tickets are available online for both farm and Appropriate Technology tours Tuesday through Saturday.

Railroad Museum of South Florida

Operating out of a Railroad-Depot style building in Fort Myers, the Railroad Museum of South Florida educates about American locomotive history. The museum features an authentic brass steam locomotive bell (that visitors can ring), a locomotive simulator, and model trains representing a variety of American eras, but the experience doesn’t end inside the building. Outside, museum-goers can take advantage of a miniature railroad system. The train brings visitors on a mile-long ride around a lake and through the park’s north end. Along the track, there’s more to take in than just natural scenery. 

The park has four full-size crossing signals, a 100-foot tunnel, a waterfall, an operating windmill, a 20-foot trestle bridge, and a pedestrian bridge. The locomotive experience is made even more immersive by scale-sized villages along the train’s route, their architecture depicting local Southwest Florida communities as they appeared in the 1950s. Tickets are available online for train rides, and group rates are available for trips in advance.

The Shell Factory

Celebrate over 80 years of fun in North Fort Myers at this Southwest Florida family entertainment destination. The Shell Factory gift shop is home to the world’s largest collection of seashells and shell specimens. There is something for everyone with unique one-of-a-kind gifts from all over the world. With both indoor and outdoor activities, visitors will have hours of fun. After shopping, stop by the Southern Grill for something to eat or head over to the Fun Park to rock climb, soar on the Eagle Zip-line, cool down by the lagoon, or putt around at the miniature golf course. The nature park features over 400 animals, a dinosaur-themed park, a playground, a picnic area, and an outdoor butterfly garden. Entry is free (except to the Nature Park), and parking is free. Different large-group packages are available, but pricing varies for each activity.

Kowiachobee Animal Preserve

This educational non-profit preserve in Naples is home to more than 130 animals, including big cats, reptiles, and nocturnal animals. The Kowiachobee Animal Preserve offers guided tours of its facilities and community presentations at schools, daycare centers, college groups, and more. The unique preserve allows for students to get up close and personal with exotic and endangered animals, learn about them from experts in animal conservation, and customize educational experiences to match the learners, no matter what age. The animals help students learn about science, biology, conservation, extinction issues, and animal responsibility.


 KAP has been in operation for over 15 years, with more than 25 years of experience in animal conservation and related issues. Their mission is to educate community members of all ages about the steady decline of exotic and endangered animals. Tours must be booked by calling ahead and are free to attend, but donations are welcome.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Found in Bradenton, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the largest natural and cultural museum of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Exhibits cover everything from fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest animal residents to local history and creativity. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is open for exploration Tuesdays through Sundays and features a digital Planetarium and the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat for visitors. The museum’s online calendar displays various upcoming events, including gentle yoga with manatees every Sunday at 11 a.m. and Tales Under the Tree at the Bishop every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Bishop’s mission is to ignite a passion for nature and science to transform their community and the world. They strive to inspire curiosity, build connections, and create impactful experiences. Admission is free for Florida teachers, and tickets are available online for students, chaperones, and guests. There is no maximum group size, and fun for all ages!

Whether you want to keep your family learning or plan the next classroom adventure, Southwest Florida has plenty of indoor and outdoor opportunities to ward off boredom. Hopefully, these have sparked your interest in the many destinations Southwest Florida offers. 

 

ECHO Board of Directors Names New CEO

Fort Myers, Florida, June 20, 2022—ECHO, Inc., a nonprofit global development organization, 
today announced that Dr. Abram Bicksler has been selected as ECHO’s next President and
Chief Executive Officer. David Erickson, who has served as President/CEO for the last seven of
his 12 years at ECHO, will continue leading through August. Dr. Bicksler will be joining ECHO in
early September.

Bicksler has more than 15 years of international experience, including five years of experience
as Director of ECHO’s Asia Regional Impact Center from 2013-2018. Most recently, Bicksler
has served as Agricultural Officer at the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United
Nations in Rome, Italy.

“Abram’s passion and strong leadership capacity are just what we need to lead ECHO into the
future,” said Doug Carlson, ECHO’s Board Chairman. “Abram has shown incredible
commitment over the last 10 years to improve the livelihoods of the small-scale farmers that
ECHO serves through his previous roles. His ability to lead teams of talented individuals will be
key to continuing the incredible growth that ECHO has seen over the last 40 years.” “I too
welcome Abram,” said ECHO’s current President, David Erickson, “and look forward to
partnering with him in a seamless transition for the global work of ECHO.”

“I am very excited to be rejoining the ECHO team,” said Dr. Bicksler. “I learned at ECHO Asia
and at FAO to appreciate our diversity of skills, experience, and passions and to give people the
freedom to use theirs to the best of their ability. I look forward to helping ECHO accomplish its
vision of honoring God by empowering the undernourished with sustainable hunger solutions
and propel its 40-year focus on identifying, verifying, disseminating, and monitoring innovative
ideas and hunger solutions to its diverse network around the globe.”

Bicksler earned his Doctorate and Master’s degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-
Champaign in Agroecology and Sustainable Cropping and completed his Bachelor’s degree at
Taylor University in Environmental Studies and Biology. As a leader and researcher, Dr.
Bicksler has been published in a number of journals including the International Journal of
Development Research; the Journal of Agricultural Studies; the Journal of Agriculture, Food
Systems, and Community Development; Experimental Agriculture; and, Acta Horticulturae.

While at the FAO, Bicksler guided agricultural research initiatives in multiple regions of the
world. Before serving in Rome, Bicksler led the ECHO Asia Impact Center’s international staff
team, coordinated and implemented Regional networking and training events, initiated research
culminating in multiple published studies, and grew the capacity of the ECHO Asia Seed Bank.

About ECHO
ECHO provides hope against hunger around the globe through agricultural training and
resources. Working through regional impact centers in Thailand, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso,
ECHO connects small-scale farmers, and those working to eliminate world hunger, with
essential resources, and each other. These resources include an online knowledge base of
practical information, experienced technical support, and an extensive seed bank focused on
highly beneficial underutilized plants. ECHO’s International Headquarters is located in Fort
Myers, FL.  Visit ECHO on the Web at www.echonet.org or www.ECHOcommunity.org.

The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis

Tony Rinaudo has lived in worked in arid environments since 1981. Through his natural discovery and questioning of systems in nature, Tony pioneered Famer Managed Natural Regeneration or FMNR as a way farmers can help build soil health from the ground up! His work has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives around the world and has transformed more than 18 million hectares in 27 countries. You can read Tony’s approach in ECHO Technical Note 65 (authored by Tony Rinaudo).

Tony was also a featured keynote speaker at the 2020 ECHO International Agriculture Conference. His interactive “Meet the speaker” session is available here: https://www.echocommunity.org/en/resources/f2459d23-5e59-4cca-99a2-8fac7db2a89c

What is FMNR? This step-by-step guide demonstrates how to practice FMNR (farmer-managed natural regeneration), from selecting the right tree species to prune through to protecting regrowing trees. FMNR can achieve land regeneration and restore barren land, reducing food insecurity for subsistence farmers.

To learn more about FMNR, we have a video collection here:
https://www.echocommunity.org/en/resources/dacc9ead-e6bb-4568-92d5-0e2255a461b2

Tony Rinaudo’s autobiography, The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis was published in April 2022 by ISCAST and is available on Amazon. It is available in Hardcover, Paperback, and Kindle.

“No research program—no matter how well funded—would have come up with this idea, because it expertly combines the subtleties of location-specific tree selection with farmer-specific opportunities and constraints.”

– Richard Stirzaker, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency

Find out more about the book at iscast.org/tfu.

SAWBO Partners with ECHO to Deliver Agricultural Assistance to Farmers

“Our capacity to create animations and videos is limited, but through working with SAWBO and organizations like Access Agriculture, we could incorporate their training videos, and it’s been a very impactful partnership.” says Steve Snyder, ICT Specialist with ECHO.

ECHO introduces sustainable crops, techniques, and technologies to farmers around the world who are struggling to feed their families. ECHO’s mission, of going out into the world to provide training and resources that empower small-scale farming families to thrive, is enhanced through its partnership with Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO).

ECHO hosts SAWBO animations and distributes them to its affiliated outreach agents and local farmers in more than 190 countries through its online platform, ECHOcommunity.org, and the ECHOcommunity Mobile App. “ECHO’s emphasis is on local and sustainable farming and these animations provide the perfect tool for getting information to farmers worldwide,” said Nate Flood, ICT Manager with ECHO.

“Our goal is to help small-scale agriculturalists and to do that we have to be able to help them make the most out of what they have available,” Flood said. “But the core of ECHO is that we are a connecting organization. We don’t pretend to be able to do the amount of research that would be necessary to accomplish all of our goals. What we try to do is be a conduit between missionaries, agricultural development workers, researchers, and organizations around the world like SAWBO.”

ECHO’s focus on small-scale agriculture and sustainable farming is where its mission overlaps with SAWBO’s mission of providing university-based agricultural research to farmers worldwide.

“Small-scale agriculture feeds a huge amount of the world and it gets a very small amount of attention in the research world,” Flood said. “Generally, small-scale agriculture is used in places with the world’s greatest food insecurity, as well as some of the most difficult climate and soil conditions on earth. What we work to do is to mitigate many of those conditions by suggesting technologies, appropriate plants, and techniques to provide the best yield in the most appropriate ways that we can.”

ECHO provides direct training to outreach agents who then take that information to small-scale farmers and contextualize the training to their specific needs. ECHO equips these trainers with SAWBO animations that address relevant topics, translated into multiple languages spoken by small-scale farmers. SAWBO’s animations have been a revelation for ECHO’s mission, said Steve Snyder, ICT Specialist with ECHO.

“One of the things that popped up when Nate and I first got together four years ago to work on these projects was that there was a real desire to have more training videos available for all the great material that was out there,” Snyder said. “We were seeing the need for training videos for people who didn’t have the ability to read, and we needed access to information for particular languages. That’s when I remembered a conversation from a couple of years prior with Carl Burkybile of Healing Hands International, a SAWBO partner, which led us to contact SAWBO co-founder Barry Pittendrigh. Our capacity to create animations and videos is limited, but through working with SAWBO and organizations like Access Agriculture, we could incorporate their training videos in our work, and it’s been a very impactful partnership.”

Snyder said that ECHO makes available all SAWBO animations for the approximately 20,000 development workers the organization collaborates with and thousands of others who have access to the videos at https://www.echocommunity.org/.

The website navigation features 10 languages and is optimized for use for people around the world. A majority of those accessing ECHO’s online resources are subsistence farmers and these animations reach those farmers through the ECHOcommunity website. ECHO has also developed an app that allows animations and other material to be downloaded and shared in areas where there are no internet connections.

In addition to sharing agricultural information, which is the primary focus of ECHO, Flood said he appreciates SAWBO providing animations on health and wellness and community development.

“Holistic development is really important to our mission, so many complexities are interrelated. For example, when you’re talking about building the resilience of small-scale farming families, promoting health and wellness is also key,” Flood said. “What we have learned is that while we have our specific area of focus, the valuable knowledge resources SAWBO offers in other areas is helpful to those we serve. Building healthier, stronger communities requires collaboration. Collaboration is what helps true transformation take root.”

“We’ve been very appreciative of the good spirit in which SAWBO offers these resources. And even more so, we appreciate our common purpose of sharing a message of hope to people who really need the information that is provided in the videos,” Snyder said.

Visit ECHO’s Global Food & Farm Festival Mar. 9-12

Bring the whole family to ECHO’s Global Food and Farm Festival and learn about exotic foods, sustainable living, innovative farming, and gardening. From March 9-11, you can experience unique tours, tastings, cooking shows, and make-and-take workshops. On March 12, it’s the open-air Farm Day Festival featuring hands-on activities for everyone:

Rosy Tomorrows Cooking Demonstration
Learn about cooking with lard from organically raised pigs.

Tropical Tasting Lunch
Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch in their community garden.

Tour the RainforestSeedlings at ECHO
Photo 1: Tour the Rainforest Photo: ECHO
Photo 2: Seedlings at ECHO Photo: ECHO

 

At-Home Kombucha
Discover how to brew your own kombucha at home and get a starter kit.

Edible Backyard Design Workshop
Learn the basics of perennial edible garden design using principles of agroforestry and food forest design.

Cooking with Tropical Plants
Tips and tricks for using tropical produce in your meals.

Mason Jar Herbs and Bites
Grow herbs from seed on your kitchen window.

Hands-on Grafting Workshop
The hands-on workshop includes a grafting seminar, rootstock, scions, and wrap.

Tour the farmWorkshops and presentations
Photo 1: Tour the farm Photo: ECHO
Photo 2: Workshops and presentations Photo: ECHO

Saturday Farm Day

Spend the day on their 57-acre Global Farm and tour a tropical rainforest demo, seed bank, fruit tree arboretum. Learn about alternative energies. Taste, touch and experience the world and learn how to make an impact in combatting world hunger.

ECHO is in North Fort Myers, just a two-hour drive from Miami or Tampa on I-75.

Ticket sales: Echo Global Food and Farm Festival

Video Trainings Cross Closed Borders

In Myanmar, a recent study showed that few farmers have received any formal training on pig or poultry farming. In some communities, knowledge about animal diseases is limited and an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) — a severe viral disease — is currently present in Southeast Asia. So, when Samaritan’s Purse staff asked if ECHO could offer a pig rearing training for the communities they serve, the staff was eager to share their knowledge. ECHO Asia staff members Chao, Hanni, Patrick, and Toh collaborated to produce three hours of video demonstrations and presentations. The topics ranged from feeds and bedding to disease prevention and breeding. This set of on-demand training resources will be shared by Samaritan’s Purse Myanmar, supporting their initiatives among vulnerable people in many villages. The needs are great and the challenges more complex. The COVID pandemic has worsened food insecurity and caused an unprecedented impact on the most vulnerable population’s ability to afford food and other basic needs. Virtual trainings are helping ECHO continue to meet these needs across closed borders.

ECHO provides Hope Against Hunger through agricultural training, innovative options, and networking with community leaders and missionaries in 190+ countries. ECHO seeks to find agricultural solutions for families growing food under difficult conditions. ECHO’s international headquarters is located in Fort Myers, FL. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit www.echonet.org

 

Nutrition and the Garden

In Tanzania, East Africa, ECHO is helping lift the spirits of mothers who are in dire circumstances by teaching them about nutrition and gardening through hands-on planting training. Read about how, with support from ECHO, a rehabilitation center for children recovering from corrective orthopedic and plastic surgeries in Tanzania uses their flourishing garden to feed 200 people each day and teach household nutrition.

Women at The Plaster House have many reasons to be anxious. Their child comes for a corrective surgery not available in rural Tanzania. Their stay is dictated by the length of recovery time of their child, following surgery for a correctable disability. Treatment cost is a challenge for so many families, and they have to help their little ones regain skills like walking and eating again. Financial, emotional, spiritual and physical worries are a daily battle.

Today though, the women are in the garden. Happy Martin, an ECHO East Africa trainer, leads a hands-on planting training for mothers while their children are being cared for by The Plaster House caregivers. There is joy, excitement, and fellowship.

Many of these women had never heard of katuk before but as they have come to trust both the food  and care of The Plaster House, they’re willing to give it a try. “Because so many come to The Plaster House from remote areas, ECHO is reaching communities it might never reach otherwise. And, because the women are so enthusiastic, we know that what they are learning will be spread in their families and communities,” shared ECHO President/CEO David Erickson.

ECHO not only trains the mothers, but helps by training the gardeners working in the garden plot itself. This plot helps The Plaster House continue to feed 200 people every day, with 45% of all the vegetables grown in their own garden. ECHO has been a resource and inspiration for their garden and chicken flock for the last five years and continues to serve both the staff and clients.

“ECHO’s seminars in our Mama’s Education Program are amongst their favorites, and they respond well to Happy’s teaching style,” wrote Bronwyn Winchester of The Plaster House. Many have learned to prepare, dry, cook, and grow vegetables that they didn’t know were edible such as chaya, cassava, moringa and katuk. Our staff and children also benefit from the vegetables growing in our garden. We are so thankful for ECHO’s partnership in Tanzania.”

In Their Own Words: Joyce Charles

My name is Joyce Charles; I am a mother of two children from Arusha City. For many years I have been involved in the vegetables and fruits business and I have been selling seasonal vegetables such as Amaranth, African nightshade, and Ethiopian mustard to my customers.

Through our women’s group, I attended a training on perennial vegetables such as chaya, moringa, cassava leaves, and katuk from ECHO East Africa. We were taught how to produce and prepare these perennial vegetables which have high nutrition. We were taught that perennial vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients required to protect our health.

I am grateful to have received this training as I have been able to expand my understanding of perennial vegetables compared to other annual vegetables. I learned how they can withstand drought, water scarcity, and also that you can plant once and continue harvesting for three to ten years.

Through this training I will be able to produce these vegetables for my family’s use and also for sale to increase income from selling of produce since during the dry season it becomes difficult to find seasonal vegetables. Perennial vegetables, though, are available throughout the year.

ECHO provides Hope Against Hunger through agricultural training, innovative options, and networking with community leaders and missionaries in 190+ countries. ECHO seeks to find agricultural solutions for families growing food under difficult conditions. ECHO’s international headquarters is located in Fort Myers, FL. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit www.echonet.org

Fueling Innovation Across Africa

At ECHO we strive to help others solve hunger-related issues through research, training, and the application of appropriate technology. Today we share the story of ECHO trainers who have impacted innovation efforts by using appropriate technology, such as rocket stoves and biogas digesters, to help improve the lives of small scale farmers across Africa.

Burundi

“A technology that is never used has an efficiency of zero.”

Craig Bielema’s quiet but confident voice echoed in my headphones as he explained his recent project modifying a rocket stove concept to help his team feed 500 kids every school day. A past ECHO Intern, Craig had also spent many years on staff at ECHO Florida, leading the Appropriate Technology department. Now, Craig and his family serve in Burundi with Mennonite Central Committee. The kitchen staff at the school have been using open fires in a small enclosed kitchen, which becomes very smoky, causing health problems for the women that cook each day. This method of cooking also consumes a large amount of wood, which is in short supply. Craig is helping them to pilot a large-scale, fuel efficient stove with a chimney to remove smoke from the kitchen, making a much healthier environment for the cooks and also to ease the burden of collecting and/or buying firewood. “In this project we sacrificed some efficiency for increased usability,” Craig explained. “In later versions of the stove, we sacrificed slightly more efficiency for reproducibility and longevity. The goal is that the technology is an improvement to the current situation, and it is used. If it is not both of those things, it is failing.”

Tanzania

In another part of Africa, Herry Charles, an ECHO trainer, is testing multiple rocket stove sizes made of mud-bricks to help share practical, hands- on experience with the farmers he teaches in Tanzania. Just like in Burundi, the bigger size accommodates larger pots and feeds groups of people, from schools to large family gatherings. Made of mud-brick and reinforced with metal, these stoves are affordable and use less fuel, and create much less smoke than the traditional 3-stone fire.

Burkina Faso

ECHO first taught about biogas in West Africa in 2010. Biogas is created by the metabolism of methane bacteria, and is comprised of methane, carbon dioxide, and less than 1% hydrogen sulfide. Simply put, biogas is the output of the natural process of turning organic residues such as manure or kitchen waste into energy and fertilizer.

Now, farmers are asking for guidance on how to make the digester larger. “We train people and they start using the biogas plant with the drum,” shared Promesse Kansie, an ECHO West Africa trainer. “The biogas digester provides many benefits — reduced smoke, cooking fuel, and garden fertilizer. It is so amazing. The main request from our trainees is to know whether we can build a larger plant to produce more gas. Ten or twelve family members can be eating together at one time.”

Sharing Knowledge Across the Continent

The beauty of ECHO’s network is that larger biogas plants are currently being tested and researched in Tanzania — and ECHO trainers are testing and sharing this knowledge.

As Craig demonstrated in Burundi, usability, reproducibility, and longevity are key features in technology innovations — at ECHO and globally. As we share knowledge resources and learn from those we serve, we are fueling innovation for small-scale farmers across Africa and around the world.

ECHO provides Hope Against Hunger through agricultural training, innovative options, and networking with community leaders and missionaries in 190+ countries. ECHO seeks to find agricultural solutions for families growing food under difficult conditions. ECHO’s international headquarters is located in Fort Myers, FL. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit www.echonet.org