Educational Concerns For Hunger Organization
ECHO
ECHO Interactive
Study Program

ECHO provides opportunities for development workers, missionaries and those interested in pursuing an overseas assignment to receive hands-on training in Tropical Agriculture.

 

The Study Program

This program combines access to ECHO's broad range of resources related to tropical agriculture with a chance to do hands-on work on the Global Farm. Though we are not a formal training center, ECHO provides an environment that fosters learning.

The Study Program is designed to serve active overseas development practitioners with field experience. We are interested only in mature participants with a serious desire to learn, a capacity for self-directed study, and experience in development work. High moral standards and a lifestyle consistent with the Christian faith are required. Mid-career and senior missionaries should also ask about our Missionary-in-Residence program.

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Program Components

The program is a split of a 40-hour work week between study and work on our Global Farm.  This allows for first-hand experience in tropical agriculture and benefits from the hands-on work it takes to maintain the Global Farm

Participants meet with a staff coordinator to discuss learning goals and areas of interest. Participants then receive a listing of topics related to their goals and key books and assistance in refining their study program.

Resources at ECHO include books, a large compilation of articles organized by subject, computers for database searches, videos, appropriate technologies, bookstore, farm, arboretum and tropical plant nursery. Participants are also able to take part in weekly training activities, special seminars and presentations for interns and staff.

Students spend half of each week working with ECHO interns, who are responsible for maintaining the Global Farm. Daily tasks depend on the season and needs at the time. We encourage students to value this time of work because it is a time of learning in a hands-on setting. Work on the farm involves some combination of four main activities: assisting with the establishment or maintenance of our plantings, weeding and other general farm tasks, helping feed and care for our animals, and working with appropriate technologies. Emphasis is on plant and animal species appropriate for the tropics or subtropics.

When to Apply

ECHO accepts Study Program participants throughout the year with some exceptions. Participants spend one day to as long as one month at ECHO, depending on their personal goals and situation. Apply early and plan to be flexible, as the number of applicants we are able to accept depends largely on availability of housing and staff.

Where

ECHO's Global Farm is located at 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33917.

Program Details

Tuition Daily Charge

$50/day if staying on campus

$25/day if staying off campus

(Study + 20 hrs/wk hands-on farm experience)
Transportation while at ECHO ECHO is located beyond the reach of public transportation and a mile from the nearest convenience store, so we highly recommend students have their own car.  If this is not possible, students can take the initiative to arrange to accompany interns and other students to the store, church, etc. and help pay for gas. ECHO will not provide students with a vehicle or transportation.
Transportation to or from Fort Myers airport
 MBA Airport Service http://www.mbaairport.com Phone: (239) 482-2777.  Ground  transportation booth located at the lower level across from Door 5.

Meals

 ECHO does not provide meals.  There is a noon meal on Monday and Wednesday where students are welcome to eat with the interns.  The cost of this meal is $2/meal.  All other meals are the responsibility of the student.  Students can also volunteer to help prepare meals during their stay.  Housing units at ECHO include cooking facilities shared by house residents.  Grocery stores are within 15 minutes of campus by vehicle.  We recommend that you plan at least $50/week for food expenses.

Emergency Health Insurance

Proof of insurance is required for all participants. Non-US citizens can purchase emergency health insurance through ECHO for $3.50/day.

Childcare

Childcare is not available.  Children must be supervised if accompanying you to ECHO.

Tuition scholarship

Some donations are designated for this purpose; Inquire if you need assistance.


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If you have questions about the study program, please contact ECHO's Study Coordinator, Karyn Traum at (239) 567-3328 or email ktraum@echonet.org.

We review applications for the student program periodically. To maximize your chance of being accepted for the study program at ECHO, apply as early as possible.

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Other Training Options

ECHO's study program provides access to many resources, but it is not a formal training program.  There are groups that specialize in formal technical training programs appropriate for those preparing for development projects overseas. These are some of those programs:

SIFAT (Southern Institute of Appropriate Technology)

Rt. 1 Box D 14
Lineville, AL 36266
Phone (205) 396-2017

http://sifat.org

HEART Program (Hunger Elimination Action and Resource Training)

5301 US Highway 27 South
Lake Wales, FL 33853;
Phone (863) 638-1188, Fax (863) 638-1472

http://heart-institute.org/

The Appropriate Technology Institute

126 Rock House Rd
Marrion, NC 28752
Phone (828) 738-3891
Fax (828) 738-3946

www.equipinternational.com

World Hunger Relief, Inc.

356 Spring Lake Rd.
Waco, TX 76705
Phone (254) 799-5611

www.worldhungerrelief.org