November 14, 2018
15 underutilized crops for improving the lives of smallholder farm families - Josh Jamison
Despite the incredible diversity of useful plants that exist, a small handful of crops feed the majority of the world...
The 26th Annual ECHO®
International Agriculture Conference
November 19-21, 2019
Fort Myers, Florida
Register HereThe ECHO® International Agriculture Conference
Why Attend?
Every year, this event brings together influential voices dedicated to eradicating hunger and improving lives through agriculture and community development. Speakers share practical solutions to agricultural challenges, personal experiences, and strategies for improving the lives of millions who daily face food insecurity. Our conference offers an open exchange of information, connecting the people and ideas that can make a real and sustainable difference.
Who Should Attend?
This conference will especially benefit current or aspiring international agricultural development workers. At this conference, you will get to network with professionals who share your context and your passions!
- Short-term or career missionaries
- National community leaders and farmers
- Leaders of development/relief-oriented organizations
- University undergraduate, graduate students and professors
- International project volunteers (e.g. Peace Corps)
When
Tuesday - Thursday November 19-21, 2019With optional post-event workshops on Friday, November 22.
Where
Fort Myers, Florida ECHO Global Farm & Crowne Plaza
26th Annual Event
Keynote Speakers
This year, we are excited to announce a very special lineup of speakers that you will get to hear from in our morning plenary sessions, afternoon workshops, and evening breakout sessions. Our speakers represent academics, professors, and practitioners in agriculture development.
Appropriate Technology Fair
Experience the exciting Appropriate Technology Fair at this year's annual event!
- Roland Bunch's Book Signing
- Topic Tables during lunch
- Recruiting lunch: a time for job seekers to connect with organizations
Appropriate Technology is a common interest amoung our network. This year, we want to highlight organizations who are involved in the work of Appropriate Technology.
Wednesday morning, explore a selection of technology being used and promoted by organizations who are part of ECHO's network. During this time, organizations will share about their appropriate technologies on display and answer questions.
Walk around the fair to spark ideas about new ways you can use appropriate technology in your work!
Other Events at this year's conference:
Conference Schedule
Below you'll find the schedule for the 2019 ECHO International Agriculture Conference. We'll keep this page regularly updated with all the new speakers and sessions.
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
Breakfast & Late Registration
Check-in for those who do not arrive on Monday.
Breakfast at the hotel is complementary for guests staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
9:00 AM
9:45 AM
Reconciling Conservation and Development in a Changing World
Ben Lowe
Many of the most vulnerable human communities around the world are located in some of the most vulnerable or degraded ecosystems. As the impacts of climate and environmental change continue to grow, how can we flourish together on God’s earth without further harming each other or the rest of creation?
10:15 AM
11:00 AM
Creating Appropriate Technologies for People in Developing Countries
Dr. Greg Bixler
This talk will cover the Design Outreach (DO) appropriate technology design process as well as lessons learned and best practices. Included are aspects of the entrepreneurial mindset, human-centered design, as well as political, cultural, and economic factors that greatly affect the ability of a solution to reach scale.
11:00 AM
11:45 AM
The Role of Green Manure/Cover Crops in Smallholder Agriculture
Roland Bunch
Roland will present on how GM/CCs offer a long-term fertility and resiliance that smallholder farmers can afford.
12:30 PM
1:30 PM
Lunch
A light lunch is included in your conference registration and is served at the ECHO Global Farm.
1:45 PM
2:45 PM
Afternoon Workshops I
Gain hands-on experience, meet the speakers, and participate in unique workshops at the ECHO Global Farm.
3:15 PM
4:15 PM
Afternoon Workshops II
Gain hands-on experience, meet the speakers, and participate in unique workshops at the ECHO Global Farm.
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
Dinner
Dinner options are available within a short walking distance of the hotel. Dinner is on your own, and we encourage you to use the time to network with your fellow delegates.
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions I
Learn about your fellow delegates and their projects around the world. Opportunities exist for delegates to host presentations and networking events.
8:10 PM
8:40 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions II
Learn about your fellow delegates and their projects around the world. Opportunities exist for delegates to host presentations and networking events.
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is complementary for hotel guests.
9:00 AM
9:45 AM
Community Health Evangelism (CHE) 25 years later...
Dr. Bibiana MacLeod
As Bibiana settles into the next stage of her ministry life with her family, she looks back and reflects on the changes that Community Health Evangelism (CHE) has brought to the lives of their friends and co-workers in Haiti. Bibiana will take us for a virtual visit to the communities of Mombin Crochu and Bois de Laurence, enter the home of Aniesse in Lagwamit, hear their stories and see with our own eyes what worked, what did not, and what needs to be improved, adapted or left behind in community development from the bottom up.
10:15 AM
11:00 AM
Breadfruit products: untapped commercial potential
Mary McLaughlin
Fresh breadfruit is delicious but the real commercial potential lies with post-harvest products. In this session the array of retail breadfruit products being produced for local and export markets will be discussed.
11:00 AM
11:45 AM
Scaling horticulture technologies for small-scale farmers – From production to postharvest
Erin McGuire
The Horticulture Innovation Lab has worked to scale appropriate technology across the globe for over a decade. Fruits and vegetables, while producing healthy products and sound investments, can have unique challenges. This talk showcases technologies to mitigate these challenges, while drawing upon the lessons learned and obstacles overcome in the pathway to scale. Featuring: Nethouse for pest management, Drying bead, Zero Energy Cooling Chamber, Solar Dryer, and DryCard.
12:30 PM
1:30 PM
Lunch
A light lunch is included in your conference registration and is served at the ECHO Global Farm.
1:45 PM
3:15 PM
Appropriate Technology Fair
Interact with organizations and tools that will impact your agricultural and community development work through the use of appropriate technologies.
3:45 PM
4:15 PM
Afternoon Workshops
Gain hands-on experience, meet the speakers, and participate in unique workshops at the ECHO Global Farm.
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
Dinner
Dinner options are available within a short waking distance of the hotel. Dinner is on your own, and we encourage you to use the time to network with your fellow delegates.
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions I
Learn about your fellow delegates and their projects around the world. Opportunities exist for delegates to host presentations and networking events.
8:10 PM
8:40 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions II
Learn about your fellow delegates and their projects around the world. Opportunities exist for delegates to host presentations and networking events.
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is complementary for hotel guests.
8:45 AM
9:30 AM
Peanuts and aflatoxin: The potential and challenges for the world’s most widely grown legume
Jamie Rhoads
Practical information regarding controling aflatoxin in peanuts and increasing productivity of this crop.
9:45 AM
10:30 AM
Unleashing the value of neglected and underutilized crop diversity: Linking climate adaptation, nutrition, markets and agrobiodiversity value chains for smallholders in Guatemala
Nadezda Amaya
Using findings from a Rapid Market Appraisal, Nadezda will present her experience on a project that sought to connect Neglected and Underutilized Species to Guatemalan markets.
10:30 AM
11:15 AM
Growing Families that Flourish in God’s Kingdom
Debbie Dortzbach
As couples work to enrich their relationship as God designed, the entire family will flourish. This session will describe the opportunity churches and communities have to strengthen couple relationships within families, promote a sustainable earth, and help families promote family nutrition and economic growth.
12:30 PM
1:30 PM
Lunch
A light lunch is included in your conference registration and is served at the ECHO Global Farm.
1:45 PM
2:45 PM
Afternoon Workshops I
Gain hands-on experience, meet the speakers, and participate in unique workshops at the ECHO Global Farm.
3:15 PM
4:15 PM
Afternoon Workshops II
Gain hands-on experience, meet the speakers, and participate in unique workshops at the ECHO Global Farm.
6:30 PM
Conference Banquet
The banquet will conclude the 26th annual ECHO® International Agriculture Conference. (Included in your conference registration.)
Post Conference Workshops (Optional, additional charge)
7:00 AM
7:45 AM
Late Registration
Last minute registration is open for delegates who have not registered prior to Friday's workshop.
7:45 AM
Post Conference Departure
Transportation is offered for those who are registered for post-conference workshops.
* Please do not be late, we will not be able to return to the hotel if you miss the departure.
8:30 PM
12:00 PM
Morning Session
These all-day courses provide in-depth and hands-on training. This year we have two options.
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch is provided at the farm.
1:30 PM
3:30 PM
Afternoon Session
A continuation of the post conference workshops.
4:30 PM
Departure For Hotel
ECHO transportation will return delegates to the conference hotel where they can take the hotel transport to the airport or make other travel arrangements.
Join the Event
Conference Tickets
Opportunities are available for the full conference, student and spouse rates, one-day passes, post-conference workshops, and exhibitor displays.
If you are a student, a former ECHO course participant, or will be attending the conference in a group of 3 or more, please email conference@echonet.org to inquire about discounts. Please be ready to show evidence of your student status and/or group membership mentioned above.
One-Day Pass
$ 130Lodging not included.
Attend Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
- Morning Plenary Sessions Yes
- Lunch Yes
- Afternoon Workshops Yes
- Evening Sessions or Thursday Banquet Yes
Full Event
$ 395Lodging not included.
Get the full benefit of our three day conference!
- All Sessions & Workshops Yes
- Lunches Yes
- Digital Resources Yes
- Banquet Yes
- Certificate Yes
Spouse Registration
$ 150Lodging not included.
Join your spouse for the full conference experience!
- All Sessions & Workshops Yes
- Lunches Yes
- Digital Resources Yes
- Banquet Yes
- Certificate Yes
+ Post Conference Workshop
$ 50Restoring the Soil: How to Use Green Manure/Cover Crops
All day Friday. Add a day of intensive interactive learning on ECHO's farm. Only one post conference workshop can be selected.
Lead by: Roland Bunch
- All Day Training Yes
- Your Choice of Topics Yes
- Lunch Yes
- Transportation Yes
+ Post Conference Workshop
$ 50Casting the Vision for Community Health Evangelism (CHE)
All day Friday. Add a day of intensive interactive learning, on ECHO's farm. Only one post conference workshop can be selected.
Lead by: Dr. Bibiana & Alexander Macleod
- All Day Training Yes
- Your Choice of Topics Yes
- Lunch Yes
- Transportation Yes
+ Exhibitor Table
$ 100Add a display area to highlight your organization or project.
- Reserve a 6' Display Table Yes
- Located at the Crowne Plaza Yes
- Set up Monday night Yes
Register Now
Registration closes on November 1, 2019.
Transportation & Lodging
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Crowne Plaza Hotel
& ECHO® Global Farm
Conveniently located near the ECHO Global Farm, the Crowne Plaza Hotel hosts morning plenary sessions and evening breakout sessions. Lunch and afternoon workshops take place at the ECHO Global Farm. Transportation between the hotel and the farm are provided by ECHO.
Please note that the conference registration fee does not include your hotel stay, and you will need to book your room directly through the hotel. Use group code "ECH" to receive the discounted conference rate by October 14th, 2019. You can book your room by calling the Crowne Plaze Hotel at 239-482-2900
Crowne Plaza Hotel - Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops
13051 Bell Tower Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907 USA
Call 239-482-2900 and mention the code "ECH" to get the event rate
Transportation is provided from the Crowne Plaza Hotel to and from ECHO's Global Farm each day. If you have your own vehicle, you are welcome to drive yourself.
Arrival By Car
The conference hotel is located approximately 5 miles west of Interstate 75 on Daniels Parkway.
Directions To The HotelArrival by Plane
The hotel offers complimentary transportation to and from the Fort Myers airport. We highly recommend that you book all travel to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
There are several large international airports within 2-4 hours drive from the conference including Fort Lauderdale(FLL), Miami (MIA), Tampa(TPA), and Orlando(MCO). We do not recommend flying into these airports unless you can arrange your own transportation to Fort Myers, as we are unable to assist with airport transportation to these airports. You may be able to share a ride with another delegate. Click the links above to go to each airport's ride-sharing page.
Planning your arrival
Read below for information on how to best travel to the ECHO Conference and what to bring with you!
Arrival by plane in Fort Myers
The hotel offers complimentary transportation to and from the Fort Myers airport. We highly recommend that you book all travel to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
Arrival by plane in other Florida airports
There are several large international airports within several hours drive from the conference venue including Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Miami (MIA), Tampa (TPA), and Orlando (MCO). These are not recommended as we do not provide transportation to and from these airports. Each of these airports are:
- 3-4 hours away from Fort Myers
- Require a rental car to drive to Fort Myers
- Miami (MIA) has limited public transportation: Greyhound Bus to Fort Myers
- Customer service number: +1 (214) 849-8966
- local office: +1 (239) 334-1011)
If you book a rental car ahead of time, you can usually get a good price, from $20 / day. You will need car insurance (most major credit cards will have rental insurance built in- check with your bank). If you are able to carpool with other delegates, this is a good way to save money.
We have created a forum on ECHOcommunity.org for ride sharing. You must be a member of our website and sign in to use the forum. Please sign in and then follow the link to the forum here.
Ride Share ForumHotel
The conference registration fee does not include hotel costs. The ECHO International Agriculture Conference encourages guests to take advantage of the reduced–cost hotel rate through the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where the Conference will be held. This is typically $96.00/night (before tax) per room.
If you are able to room with another attendee, this will lower costs. ECHO does try to match single attendees who are traveling alone with others who are interested in sharing a room. ECHO will only match women with women, and men with men.
Sign up for room share!What to Pack
ECHO's International Agriculture Conference has a casual dress code. Time will be spent inside and on the farm, so please wear comfortable clothing.
November in Southwest Florida is the beginning of the cold season, and the air conditioning in the hotel is usually even colder. If you are used to more tropical climates, please pack a light sweater or other warm clothing. Average temperatures Highs / Lows in November are 81° / 62°F or 27.2°C / 16.7 °C. We recommend bringing:
- A light jacket that can get wet
- A water bottle
- Sunscreen
- A hat
- Bug spray
Conference Resources
Video
What does an ECHO International Agriculture Conference look like?
Check out these videos from previous year's morning plenary speakers:
November 13, 2018
The Answer Is In The Room - Dr. Karen Stoufer
One of our most important roles as we work in rural communities is to train others so that knowledge and skills can be effectively passed on and learning continue...
November 15, 2018
Comments From 2018 Delegates
If you're wondering what you might get out of an ECHO Conference, listen to what previous attendees have to say about the experience. This video is a compilation of short remarks taken during the course of the 2018 conference.
Food & Drink
Where to eat:
Breakfast
If you are a paying guest at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, breakfast is included. Breakfast usually consists of pastries, boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, milk, coffee, and juice.
Lunch
Lunch is provided each day at the ECHO® Global Farm.
Dinner
Thursday's banquet dinner is included in your conference registration Please plan to make your own dinner arrangements on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
There are many restaurants in walking distance of the conference hotel. Below we have provided some resources if you are looking for a place to eat:
Join Our Community
The resources and networking opportunities that make the ECHO International Agriculture Conference unique are available year-round through ECHOcommunity.org
Join Today