By Larry Yarger

ECHO focuses most of its time and energies on the use of crops suitable to the tropical climates of the world, be they arid lands, tropical forests, hot humid wetlands or highlands.  More and more, however there is call for new and innovative measures for agricultural development and production in the cooler, more temperate regions of the world.  Areas such as China, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, mountainous regions and many of the southern reaches of Africa and South America represent cooler climes, therefore requiring crops to follow suit.

ECHO has put together for your convenience and investigation, information sheets on crops that are produced in cooler climates and that have potential in regions of the world other than the tropics.  This is an opportunity to investigate and learn about some of these crops.  ECHO may not carry seed for all the crops listed, but if we don’t have it, and you would like seed for any of them, we will be happy to help you locate it.

Many crops suitable for cooler climates are grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions, as well.  There are considerable “cross-over” capabilities among these crops, and so you may also find them in other areas on the website.  We invite you to take a look, and consider the potential for such crops in your region.  If you are successful, ECHO would like to know of your experiences.  If you know of other crops that could be included here, ECHO would like to know of these, as well.

The table in the next window lists crops we have investigated along with some basic information.  Each crop has a link which will take you to a single-page fact sheet with additional information and additional links to further your knowledge of the crop.  Sometimes a crop is listed under several headings.  Regardless, there is still only one fact sheet corresponding to that particular crop.  Enjoy!

comprehensive list of Cool Climate Crops