ECHO's Global Farm
Research and Learning Center
ECHO's Global Farm was originally developed to train interns, students and overseas development workers in tropical agriculture. The first stage of the project was completed in February 2001 and was finalized in 2004. Guided Tours of the Global Village are enjoyed by over 10,000 tourists, local residents, colleges, and church groups each year. Tours are used to educate about agricultural issues in developing countries, while highlighting unique solutions to growing food under harsh conditions.
Areas of the Global Farm
The Global Farm is divided into six main areas. Each area is managed by one of ECHO's agricultural interns who spends 12 months cultivating, harvesting, and researching numerous crops, fruit trees, and nutritious food plants. Each plot is also used to produce seeds which are ultimately packaged and sent overseas in order to be evaluated as a potential new food crop. Showcased on the various plots are affordable and sustainable farming techniques that also incorporate suitable animals and appropriate technologies.
Click on the links below or in the side column to learn about each area on our demonstration farm.
Public Tours
January - March: Tuesday - Friday at 10:00am and 2:00pm, and Saturday at 10:00am
April - December: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 10:00am
*For groups of 8 or larger, please make a reservation.
*Golfcart tours for the disabled are also available, at the same times listed above. Golfcart tours are limited to 7 people per golfcart, so reservations are highly recommended. This also helps us to ensure that tour guides will be available.
For reservations, please call ECHO at (239) 543-3246.
Admission:
effective October 16th, 2006
Adults $8.00
Children $5.00
Children under 6 Free
**discounts available**
Click here for directions to the ECHO Farm.
Student Tours
Student tours are available for fourth grade and higher by reservation only. There is a charge of $3.00 per tour participant, both students and adults, with a minimum of $50.00 per tour, as these require specially trained guides. You may email your request or call the above number.
