Discount admission tickets to the 19^th annual ECHO Farm Day are on sale now at the ECHO bookstore and gift shop at 17391 Durrance Rd. in North Fort Myers.  The tickets are $3.00 per person, 12 and under are free.  You may also purchase tickets the day of the event for $5.00 per person, 12 and under free.

Spend the day at a 50-acre Global Farm and tour a tropical rainforest demonstration, the 300+ variety seed bank, participate in the Global Hunger Forum, take an educational tour of the bamboo courtyard where over 35 varieties are displayed, or learn about alternative energies as they are demonstrated in the appropriate technology area.

Stan Doerr, ECHO President/CEO states, “One of the workshops, Food Plants in the Landscape, will demonstrate how you can easily substitute nutritious plants into your porch or backyard. Whether you have a large yard or a small patio, growing your own food is easy, affordable and almost necessary, especially in this economy.”

There is something for everyone at ECHO’s Farm Day!  This community event is made possible by ECHO’s generous sponsors, including a new major sponsor The News-Press, LCEC, Travis Reprographics, First Bank, Sun Harvest Citrus, Fafco Solar, Vic’s Painting, Rotary of Cape Coral North, Costco and Walmart.

For more information, please contact ECHO at 239.543.3246.

About: ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) provides sustainable options to world hunger through agricultural training, innovative options, and networking with community leaders and missionaries in 180 developing countries. ECHO seeks to find agricultural solutions for families growing food under difficult conditions. ECHO’s international headquarters is located in Fort Myers, FL.

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Fort Myers, Fla., December 3, 2009—St. Columbkille Catholic Church was honored on December 1^st with the “Bethel Society Award” for lifetime giving to a local charity ECHO or ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization).  The Bethel Society Award pays tribute to churches who have supported ECJP through contributions totaling over $50,000.  St. Columbkille is one of only 5 churches out of over 800 who have reached that milestone. 

Through their thrift store located in the Iona McGregor area, St. Columbkille has supported ECHO since 2003, and provides a number of volunteers as well. 

Over 400 individuals from all over Southwest Florida volunteer at ECHO in various capacities, such as farming, nursery, seedbank, tour guides and clerical work, providing over 52,000 volunteer hours per year. 

About: ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) provides sustainable options to world hunger through agricultural training, innovative ideas, and networking.  By networking with community leaders and missionaries in 180 developing countries, ECHO seeks to find agricultural solutions for families growing food under difficult conditions. ECHO’s international headquarters is located in North Fort Myers, FL.

Above photo: St. Columbkille Volunteer Thrift Store Managers accept plaque honoring their giving to ECHO.

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St. Michael’s Episcopal Church provides equipment grant to ECHO 

Major Grant allows ECHO to facilitate multiple garden projects around SWFL

Fort Myers, Fla., December 3, 2009—ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) has been awarded a grant of $20,000 to fund a Community Gardening Intern to work with the local community. Karyn Traum began her internship at ECHO in November learning tropical agriculture, while bringing to ECHO her valuable skills obtained while with University of Illinois Extension community garden projects. This grant will greatly increase ECHO’s capacity to work with the local community organizations.

Fort Myers, Fla., November 25, 2009- Since 1994, ECHO has held an annual agricultural conference in Fort Myers, Florida. Experts involved in agricultural and development work around the world attend three days of workshops and seminars to find answers to help the world's poorest communities grow their own food.