ECHO Field Trip June 28, 2011

I went to ECHO on June 28, 2011 for their 10 am guided tour. I found the cause of their organization to be very incredible. They train people from other countries to grow crops and to provide for themselves. We usually hear and see people giving and sending food and provisions to other countries but this organization sees past that and truly helps those in need. ECHO was constructed in Southwest Florida because the region can grow a variety of crops that would grow in other countries all over the world. They have the second largest seed bank in the entire United States besides the Department of Agriculture. My tour guide Vic Estoye is a volunteer at the farm and was very knowledgeable about everything they do there.

                I learned what that there are two types of bamboo, there is running bamboo and there is bunching bamboo. Running bamboo is the type you do not want to plant near your house, it will spread all over your backyard, into your neighbor’s yard and it can even spread right into your house, the bunching type is the one you want. Bamboo is also the fastest growing sustainable crop used for construction.

                One of the most interesting pieces of information that I learned at ECHO was how to sterilize water. You can place water into a plastic bottle and let it sit outside in the day time for six hours and the increased water temperatures will destroy the water pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and protozoans.

                While walking on the tour I noticed that some of the planting beds were raised and some were sunken. Vic said that the beds that were raised are good in regions where there are a lot of monsoons so that the crop does not get flooded and washed away. The beds that were sunken in are good to protect the crops from harsh winds and dry land.

                The ECHO organization provides valuable assistance to those in poor nations. It is so important for people to learn how to provide for themselves and their families. It is also good to understand how your local environment works so that you can utilize it and care for it wisely.