ECHO (a place to grow seeds and so much more)

Me :)

As it is in every case of having to get up to go on a "field trip" on our normal day off of class, I was absolutely dreading taking a tour of a farm. Especially a place that says to allow for a minimum of 2 hours for the whole experience. And, add in the 92 degree forecast and the trifecta of misery was there in front of my eyes. However, I can honestly say I'm glad I got the chance to experience this place. ECHO is everything that farming and a non-profit organization should be.

While walking around during our tour, we were showed different examples of farming and food production. One thing that really stuck out to me was the farming of the blue tilapia fish. The idea for the use of duck waste to produce algae to feed the fish so that they can grow and become food for people in different kinds of areas, is absolutely ingenious. Our tour guide also showed us the simulated roof-top garden. This garden uses thrown away tires, buckets and pieces of carpet. The use of these pieces of "junk" is brilliant and makes me wonder why more American's (or even more people around the world) don't see that it is so easy to have this sort of garden.

My friend Alyssa with the Moringa seeds, these
seeds are used to help purify water and  to supply
substantial nutrition to people in need 

I feel like American agriculture is so different from what ECHO is doing on their 50 acres of land. American agriculture is different because it is used for a different reason. ECHO farms (in my understanding) to send the seeds of the plants they are sowing to impoverished countries. American agriculture is used to farm food to ship to different states and sometimes even different countries.
I believe that American agriculture can take a slight lesson from the ECHO farm, but I'm not a farmer so I can't say exactly what can be changed. For example, I grew up (like most Floridians) around orange groves and strawberry fields and the farmers have never had an issue with production or selling of their goods. The only issue that I can remember in my short 22 years on this earth, is that when the weather turns to freezing (which is obviously only twice a year at the most) some farmers lose a portion of their crops. ECHO has a way of keeping frost from growing on their plants when a freeze warning is issued to the area. Maybe the American farmers can take note and use ECHO's plan as a way to save all of their crops. American farmers may be able to change over to "appropriate technology", that way they can be more economically and environmentally conscience. Appropriate technology can include solar powered heating implements, tractors or other farming equipment, lights, etc., bike and/or hand powered water pumps, and so much more.

ECHO is over all probably one of the most beneficial places I have ever visited. The experience was very nice and the information that I was given made the trip up there worth it. If I could do my service learning hours there I MOST DEFINITELY would, if it was the winter time and it wasn't 1000 degrees outside. I can always appreciate the outdoors and the beauty that God has created... to a point. :)