Our seed ministry is a seed BANK set up to provide sample packets of seed to those working on behalf of the poor and who want to evaluate a new crop species or variety. ECHO's seed bank carries, primarily, seeds of plants likely to thrive under difficult growing conditions in the tropics and subtropics. Our goal is not to serve as seed suppliers, as would a seed STORE, but as a resource for hard-to-find seeds for development workers to experiment with under the conditions of their project areas. We do not distribute large quantities of seed. Rather, if and when a species shows promise, recipients save and multiply their own seed or purchase larger quantities from other sources.
Who can order seed from ECHO?
Registered members of ECHO's overseas network. Those working with small-holder farmers and gardeners overseas are invited to register (to find out how, Read more... under the section entitled, "How do I order seeds from this catalog?"). Our network is comprised of overseas missionaries,
churches, development workers, extension agents, and scientists.
If you
are interested in seeds for your home in the U.S., you may purchase them from
the US Seed Catalog available through our online bookstore at www.echobooks.org. Click here for a free download of a document with photos and brief descriptions of species we think are most likely to succeed in northern climates.
What does ECHO supply?
Many species and varieties of under-utilized food plants likely to grow well under difficult growing conditions.
Small packets of seed with which to experiment. It is expected that if the crop succeeds, you will save and multiply enough seeds for your project needs. If larger quantities are needed, we may be able to put you in contact with bulk suppliers or commercial companies.
Network members may request, free of charge, one packet each of up to 10 varieties of seed. A charge of $4.00/packet applies to additional packets beyond the first 10 packets requested each year. Allow two weeks for seed orders to be processed and mailed. Shipping charges may apply for rush orders.
How do I know what to order?
You must do the hard thinking. Read the material ECHO
has written about various crops--on the web, in Technical Notes and in
our networking bulletin, ECHO Development Notes. Select plants
that, based on descriptions, will likely do well and meet a local niche
where you work. Then experiment with them on a small scale.
Contact
ECHO's Technical Request Team by e-mail , phone or letter with a
description of your climate zone, soil type and the needs of your
community. ECHO staff cannot predict with 100% certainty what will grow well in your project area.
Observe the crops that are growing locally, those sold in the
food markets or those that your community remembers growing in the
past. Use this as a guide to evaluating plants with similar
requirements.
Subscribe
to ECHO Development Notes, an agricultural development bulletin,
free to workers in developing countries who register with ECHO. Please note that this is not an interactive online form. You will need
to download the form as a Word document, fill it out and then either
print it and send it by post or attach it to an e-mail and send it to
.
How do I order seeds from this catalog?
Register
to be part of ECHO's overseas network. Please note that this is not an interactive online form. You will need
to download the form as a Word document, fill it out and then either
print it and send it by post or attach it to an e-mail and send it to
.
If requesting over 10 packets, include $4.00 for each additional packet.
What do I need to understand as a recipient of seeds from ECHO?
Seeds in our seedbank may already be available in the country where you work.
All seeds in ECHO’s seedbank are declared to be in the
public domain for the good of mankind.
(In the rare occasion where we may have purchased seeds for distribution
that are already legally protected, this information will be identified on the
packet. If you or we learn that, unknown
to ECHO, a plant accession that we were given was patented before we acquired
it, then naturally pertinent legal restrictions would apply.)
Most accessions of seed in ECHO’s seedbank have initially come from (1)
plant enthusiasts or nurseries in the United
States who for decades have brought
promising plants to this country or (2) research stations and international
seedbanks. ECHO follows laws of the United States in seed imports and exports.
ECHO reserves
the right to remove any of the varieties mentioned in this seed listing if we
run out of that variety, determine that it is of minimal interest to our
network or learn that it has unexpectedly high weed potential.
ECHO encourages study, experimentation
and cooperation with local/national agricultural organizations prior to establishing any large-scale plantings. Recipients of seeds from ECHO agree to:
Assume all responsibility and liability for unintended consequences of introducing a new crop (e.g. should the plant become a weed).
Monitor the initial planting (and not widely distribute) until h/she is convinced there is no obvious risk to the environment and to destroy that planting if such risk becomes apparent [Note: High potential for weediness is indicated in descriptions of certain species for which we are aware of the potential risk. ECHO is not liable in any situation in which the seeds we provide result in detrimental effects to the environment].
Obtain any permits that may be required in the recipient's country and advise ECHO if a phytosanitary certificate is needed. ECHO will then provide information as to the cost ($30.00 as of 2007) of a phytosanitary certificate.
INFORMATION 
