Educational Concerns For Hunger Organization
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Education and Training
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Tropical Agricultural Development II: Impact Options
Course Description This intermediate class is geared toward experienced overseas workers and nationals with involvement in agricultural development or those who have participated in Tropical Agricultural Development I. This is a week-long course offered annually at ECHO. Course attendees will participate in an in-depth look at sustainable farming practices for soil & water conservation, integrated techniques for small-scale farms, underutilized plants & their uses and field case studies from various regions of the world. There will also be time for hands-on work on the farm, visits with staff and study in the library. Course content is presented from a biblical perspective. Rationale As a Christian non-profit organization based in Southwest Florida (Fort Myers), ECHO exists to maximize the effectiveness of those working with the poor internationally. We do this by providing agriculture-related technical support services to missionaries, development workers and national church leaders in as many as 180 countries. As the majority of the world’s poor live in warm climates, ECHO’s resources apply primarily to the tropics or subtropics. We have found there are several agricultural development-related questions and issues that are dealt with by nearly everyone who studies at our campus. What are some principles I should be aware of in doing community development? What should I know about poverty mentality that would help me better understand the people I am trying to help? What are some key concepts regarding soils and gardening that would help me teach others to grow food plants in the tropics? What are some proven techniques or crops that I could introduce in my project area that could really make a difference in the lives of the poor? In too many cases, these issues are not addressed until a development practitioner has already made mistakes and encountered setbacks in their projects. Often, these mistakes could have been avoided. For instance, a basic understanding of how conditions close to the equator differ from those in more northern latitudes can help North American gardeners avoid the mistake of assuming that the plants they are familiar with "back home" will succeed in the tropics. This course is designed to equip participants with a foundational understanding of tropical agriculture and community development, as well as with some specific agricultural technologies that have significantly improved the lives of smallholder farmers in many parts of the world. Who the course is for: Those who will benefit from this course include long-term or career missionaries, international project volunteers (e.g. Peace Corps), leaders of relief-oriented organizations or nationals. This is an intermediate level course therefore you should have a basic understanding of plant and soil biology. All classes are conducted in ENGLISH ONLY. What is offered: A few of the workshop sessions include: an in-depth look at various sustainable farming practices for soil & water conservation such as Foundations for Farming, Zai holes, Sand Dams/Micro Catchments, Green Manure Cover Crops; Tree systems such as multipurpse trees, woodlots, SALT, FMNR, FMAFS and fruit trees, System of Rice Intensification and how it applies to other crop as well as an in-depth look at the value of moringa for many purposes. This class will also focus on personal experiences of those attending and field case studies from ECHO staff experiences. This class is a mix of in-class time and on-farm time. Please plan accordingly. Dates: August 20-24, 2012 (Registration opens May 1, 2012)Anyone needing a visa in order to attend any of our courses must have their visa in place at least 30 days prior to the start of the class. This policy is required in order to allow sufficient time for processing applications and to give individuals that might be on our waiting list ample time to make travel arrangements. Registration: The August 2012 class is full. Email ktraum@echonet.org to be added to the wait list. Cost: TOTAL $545.00 For further inquiries, contact echo@echonet.org and include Attn: Study Program Coordinator in your email. Suggested items to pack: It is always a good idea to bring a jacket or sweater. More than likely, though, highs will be in the 80's and 90's. As there will be time built in for being on the farm and possibly working with our interns, bring a set of clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. A hat, sun screen, sun glasses, insect repellent and water bottle would be good to include in your luggage. Suggested Reading: Save and Grow an FAO publication on many of the topics presented in this class. The overview of each chapter will provide a good introduction to the class. Save and Grow model incorporates an ecosystem approach that draws on nature's contribution to crop growth – soil organic matter, water flow regulation, pollination and natural predation of pests. When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Ourselves by Steve Corbett, Brian Fikkert, John Perkins - Moody Publishers (2009) Millions Fed by International Food Policy Research Institute (specifically Chapter 7) This publication is available for download. Human Farm: A Tale of Changing Lives and Changing Lands by Katie Smith (1994) General schedule for each day 7:00-7:45 AM Breakfast 8:00-10:00 AM Teaching session 10:00-10:30 AM Break/networking time 10:30-12:00 PM Teaching session 12:00-1:30 PM Lunch 1:30-3:00 PM Teaching session 3:00-3:30 PM Break/networking time 3:30-5:00 PM Teaching session 6:00-7:00 PM Supper 7:00-8:30 PM Evening session Daily themes and session topics Monday: Foundations
Tuesday: Sustainable Farming: Practices for Soil & Water Conservation
Wednesday: Underutilized Plants for Health and Nutrition
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