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 29th Annual ECHO® International Agriculture Conference
Reflecting,
Restoring,
Renewing Hope.
November 15-17, 2022
Fort Myers, Florida
The 29th Annual ECHO® International Agriculture Conference
Reflecting,
Renewing,
Restoring Hope.
November 15-17, 2022
Fort Myers, Florida
The ECHO® International Agriculture Conference
Why Attend?
For twenty-eight years, ECHO has brought together networks of like-minded individuals devoted to eradicating hunger and improving lives through agriculture and community development. For the past two years, due to novel coronavirus, ECHO’s Annual Conference moved online. This year we are returning to our in-person event. We are thrilled to invite you to join us in Fort Myers, Florida on November 15th-17th to connect once again together on ECHO’s Florida Campus. The ECHO International Agriculture Conference will return with speakers addressing agricultural challenges, personal experiences, and strategies for improving the lives of millions who daily face food insecurity.
What to expect from this year's conference:
- World-class keynote speakers
- Interactive afternoon workshops on ECHO’s Global Farm
- Evening Breakout Sessions sharing innovative techniques and approaches
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 15-17, 2022Where
Fort Myers, Florida ECHO Global Farm & Holiday Inn
29th Annual Event
Keynote Speakers
The plenary speaker roster this year features experts in areas of nutritional education, foundations for farming, and utilization of farmer field schools. Topics to be presented will range from the importance of anthropological considerations to community development to the specific uses of vetiver in smallholder systems.
Devotional Speaker
Jane Overstreet
Jane will be encouraging us from God's Word and how reflecting, renewing, and restoring hope seems to be one of the greatest needs of Christians serving in leadership roles, across our world today.
Jane Overstreet is the President / CEO of Development Associates International (DAI) a non-profit organization providing training and consulting in leadership and organizational management to more than 100,000 Christian leaders in 82 countries annually. Jane is a lawyer who has also provided legal consulting for numerous other Christian organizations. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and was an adjunct professor at Eastern University. Mrs. Overstreet has been married for 42 years to Harold, who also worked with DAI before he retired. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
Early Bird Discount
Save 15% off your registration fee when you register before midnight September 30th. This offer expires in:
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 afternoon, 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 2022 ECHO International Agriculture Conference. We'll keep this page regularly updated with all the new speakers and sessions.
6:30 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 conference hotel.
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
Welcome, Devotions, and Announcements
ECHO President/CEO
9:00 AM
11:30 AM
Plenary Sessions
Morning plenary speakers will address agricultural challenges, personal experiences, and strategies for improving the lives of millions who daily face food insecurity.
12:15 PM
1:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch is served at the ECHO® Global Farm. (Included in your registration)
Regional Networking Tables: Eat lunch and network with others working in your region.
1:30 PM
2:30 PM
Afternoon Workshops Session 1
From Two Sticks Documentary Film Screening (Part I)
Location 2 - Visitor Center
Jon Iannacone
This modern-day Johnny Appleseed story tracks the spontaneous spread of the Chaya plant throughout Indonesia, highlighting the power of ordinary people to fight malnutrition. (Filmmaker will be in attendance.)
Raising Third Culture Kids
Location 6 - Technical Classroom
Ellen Hargrave
This workshop will be a time to think through and talk about educating and raising the most important resource that God has given us, our children, in a culture other than their parents'. Although each setting and child is unique, there are many ideas and experiences that we can share to help each other in the journey.
Agriculture-to-nutrition Pathways: The Complex Causes of Malnutrition
Location A - Peckham Learning Center
Cecilia Gonzalez
In recent years, much attention has been given to the connections between agriculture and nutrition in the development sector as a whole. Recent research has also provided important frameworks for program design and for implementing agriculture interventions that aim to improve the nutrition of vulnerable populations. This framework for 'nutrition-sensitive agriculture' interventions help us make sense of complex problems and identify pathways to solutions.
Grafting (Part I)
Location B - A-Frame Lawn
Lydia Hofland & Melissa Hall
Instructors will teach grafting principles and practices with demonstration and individual practice.
ECHO Global Farm Tour
Location C - Bamboo Courtyard
Dr. Martin Price
This walking tour of the farm will feature some of the lesser-known plants and agricultural techniques; for example, perennial vegetables and rooftop gardening.
Year-round Gardening
Location D - Rainforest Clearing
Andy Cotarelo
This walking tour will showcase the ECHO Global Farm demonstration areas. Each area is representative of a climate zone or constrained areas of agriculture worldwide. The importance of soil health is becoming more apparent as we see climate change. This brings up the question, 'How are you managing your soil all year long?'
Dryland Farming
Location E - Semi Arid
Bob Hargrave
This is an introduction to dryland farming principles learned from Bob's experience in East Africa. This session will be a discussion of the challenges to agriculture, the resources available, and strategies for crop production in semi-arid areas.
Tomato Grafting
Location G - AT Pavilion
Timothy Watkins & Sarah Hinson
Tomato grafting is a method of reducing certain diseases caused by soil borne plant pathogens along with providing tolerance to stresses such as flooding, drought and salinity. This workshop will discuss tomato rootstocks, grafting techniques, and plant care.
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Afternoon Workshops Session 2
From Two Sticks Documentary Film Screening (Part II)
Location 2 - Visitor Center
Jon Iannacone
This modern-day Johnny Appleseed story tracks the spontaneous spread of the Chaya plant throughout Indonesia, highlighting the power of ordinary people to fight malnutrition. (Filmmaker will be in attendance.)
ECHOcommunity Mobile App Preview
Location 6 - Technical Classroom
Steve Snyder & Nate Flood
ECHO has heard the desire of network members for an app to download and carry self-selected ECHOcommunity resources on their mobile devices. While we are not ready for distribution, we hope to give network members attending Conference a feel for the ECHOcommunity Mobile App by sharing a prototype of the App. We value your input!
Integrating Gender into Food Safety Issues in the Dairy Value Chain
Location A - Peckham Learning Center
Dr. Kathy Colverson
This is a practical (and fun) mini-workshop that helps participants understand not only the common food safety issues in a dairy value chain, but also how gender impacts it. Participants will receive a USB drive with related resources when they participate.
Grafting (Part II)
Location B - A-Frame Lawn
Crafton Clift, David & Jenny Burd, and Sarah Hinson
Delegates who attended any first session will have the opportunity to continue to practice grafting techniques.
Agroforestry Tour
Location C - Bamboo Courtyard
Timothy Watkins & Bob Hargrave
This tour introduces the concept of agroforestry and presents various examples at ECHO.
Principles of Community Development
Location D - Rainforest Clearing
Timothy Albright
This talk focuses on challenges that small-scale farmers face when trying to implement change and how facilitators can identify and invest in agents of transformation while accompanying them on their journey towards resilience.
Animal Health in the Tropics 101
Location E - Semi Arid
Kelly Crowdis, Franso Fracciterne, and Cody Kiefer
This workshop is a tour of ECHO's livestock and systems, discussing common animal health issues in the tropics. Come with your pigs, goats, cattle, rabbits, chickens, and ducks questions for an experienced veterinarian and vet technician.
Roots, Shoots and Fruits: A Sampling of ECHO’s Non-timber Forest Product Species Best Suited for Agroforest/homegarden Margins, Understories, and Other Niches
Location F - AT Kitchen
Rick Burnette
One distinction of agroforests and homegardens is biodiversity, which makes non-timber forest product species particularly valuable. Successful integration and production of these plants depends on the selection of crops best suited for conditions influenced by amount of sunlight as well as soil moisture. This workshop will feature a tour of ECHO’s various agroforestry sites, large and small, with a special focus on non-timber forest species.
Introduction to Beekeeping
Location G - AT Pavilion
Steve Eisele
This session will be an introduction to the world of bees and beekeeping. Steve, a commercial beekeeper, will be discussing the bee biology, hive management, and presenting the equipment used.
4:15 PM
AND
4:45 PM
Bus Departure
Transportation from the ECHO® Global Farm is provided at 4:15 and 4:45. buses depart from the walkway in front of the Bookstore/Nursery.
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
Dinner
Dinner is a great opportunity for networking. Tuesday evening dinner is your choice, on your own.
7:00 PM
7:45 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions
8:00 PM
8:45 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions
7:00 - 8:00 PM
8:10 - 8:40 PM
ROOM A
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Update on Ongoing Moringa Research
Grace Ju Miller
Grace has been conducting Moringa research for 20 years with undergraduate students. This presentation will be a research update on moringa as an antibacterial plant and water purification option. Tissue culture and regeneration of moringa, as well as future use in biotechnology, nutrition and pharmacology will be discussed.
8:10 - 8:40 PM
Addressing Future Global Food Security Now
Kirsten Roe
To provide sufficient and affordable food for an estimated 9 to 12 billion people by 2050, crop yields will need to increase by 60-130%, cropland will need to expand, and inputs will need to be added. Future global food security needs to be addressed immediately. What is required for food security? How can each person play a role in assuring future food security?
ROOM B
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Mini-farms as Learning Tools in Senegal
Noah Elhardt
The Beersheba Project is a discipleship-based training farm in Senegal that provides an 11-month internship program. Now in its 8th year, Beersheba has trained over 120 interns from 12 countries while building up a profitable commercial farm with 20 full-time employees. Here we explore some of the lessons learned along the way. We will particularly examine the tension between the commercial and educational components of the farm, and the game-changing role that ownership- exemplified by our mini-farmshas played in adult learning for us.
8:10 - 8:40 PM
Permanent Raised Garden Beds
Josh Jamison
After years of struggling to grow vegetables in infertile, sandy soils, members of the h.e.a.r.t Village in Central Florida radically improved their growing conditions by building permanent raised garden beds. This form of no-till, sustainable gardening allows for high production in challenging locations because the soil can be sculpted from the ground up. This session will discuss the basics of building permanent raised bed gardens, maintaining soil fertility, annual cropping cycles and strategies for obtaining maximum food production on small spaces.
ROOM C
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Importance of Animal Source Food to Child Nutrition in Low and Middle Income Countries
Dr. Heather Anderson
This presentation will highlight the work occurring in the USAID Livestock Systems Innovation Lab that University of Florida hosts. Focus will be on research of how sustainable livestock systems improve human health, nutrition, and economic status.
8:10 - 8:40 PM
Moving Toward Sustainability- Harvesting 4 Haiti and Planting For Hope and Future
Gordon Clark
Our goal is to help reduce poverty by assisting a Haitian agriculture initiative with financial and business resources until they have become self-sustaining. This talk will discuss the challenges and successes this program has had. They have been able to purchase additional farmland from sales of produce. Crops grown include black beans, cowpeas, plantain, mango, limes, and soursop.
ROOM F
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Experiences in Solar Fruit Drying: Panel Discussion
Mike McLaughlin, Roger Gietzen, Erin McGuire, and Mary Benner
This session will be a discussion with practitioners and researchers who have been promoting solar fruit drying in the global south. The panel will discuss the various solar dryers they have been using along with the successes and challenges they have faced with the promotion of fruit drying.
8:10 - 8:40 PM
Developing the Next Generation of Leaders in International Agriculture Development
Dr. Natalie Coers
Who are the next leaders in international agricultural development work? The leadership gap continues to grow, especially in the non-profit sector. We will discuss a basic framework for leadership development, skills needed, and the role you can play through mentoring. Join this session to discover some practical tips and share your best practices.
6:30 AM
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is complementary for guests staying at the conference hotel.
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
Worship, Devotions, and Announcements
9:00 AM
11:45 AM
Plenary Sessions
Morning plenary speakers will address agricultural challenges, personal experiences, and strategies for improving the lives of millions who daily face food insecurity.
12:15 PM
1:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch is served at the ECHO® Global Farm. (Included in your registration)
Regional Networking Tables: Eat lunch and network with others working in your region.
1:30 PM
2:30 PM
Afternoon Workshops Session 1
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Afternoon Workshops Session 2
4:15 PM
AND
4:45 PM
Bus Departure
Transportation from the ECHO® Global Farm is provided at 4:15 and 4:45. buses depart from the walkway in front of the Bookstore/Nursery.
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
Dinner
Dinner is a great opportunity for networking. Wednesday evening dinner is your choice, on your own.
7:00 PM
7:45 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions 50 Minutes
8:00 PM
8:45 PM
Evening Breakout Sessions 30 Minutes
7:00 - 8:00 PM
8:10 - 8:40 PM
ROOM A
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Mechanization of Conservation Agriculture
Will Austin
This presentation will cover ways that Institute for Affordable Transportation (IAT) and its partners have been creating appropriate technology to integrate mechanization into Farming God’s Way (FGW). IAT’s farming history began with food plot implements and then transitioned to conservation farming after receiving training at ECHO. Our goal is to provide tools that help smallholder farmers (specifically those who have mastered manual FGW and FFF techniques) to expand to 5 or 10 acres.
8:10 - 8:40 PM
Foodlife in Peace Building
Gordon Clark
'Foodlife' is a word coined by Toshihiro Takami, founder of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI), to describe the inseparable relationship between food and life. This concept guides the Food, Education and Sustainable Table (FEAST) process in this rural leader training program on an organic farm. In a world torn apart by ever increasing conflict, learn how FEAST fosters peacebuilding and reconciliation among people from various parts of the world.
ROOM B
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Determining Appropriate Technologies for Communities through Design and Analysis of a Market Assessment Survey (Case Study highlighted, Lake Bosomtwe, Ghana, West Africa)
Grace Baldwin
Agricultural extension farms provide a unique platform to facilitate educational infrastructure in the form of classroom settings and demonstration plots, and to facilitate extension outreach services. This workshop will specifically address how development workers can create, carryout, and critically evaluate primary survey data to propose appropriate technologies that address community needs within their target areas.
8:10 - 8:40 PM
Understanding the Power of Convergence
Dale Bolton
The mission of Thrive is to create a scalable model that empowers trainers to transform communities by teaching sustainable, natural and organic agriculture, enabling them to fight disease and generate income. This presentation will look at how Thrive uses the power of a multidisciplinary approach for development work, covering four emerging global trends that have a particularly important impact on developing countries, especially when they are all combined in one setting. The talk will also discuss how Thrive moved from using a top-down approach to problem-solving to a bottom-up approach.
ROOM C
7:00 - 8:00 PM
How Growing Fruits can Help People Get on a Path Out of Poverty: Lessons from Madagascar
Dan Turk
This talk will explore fruit tree programs; successes with tangerines (achieved) and mangos (in progress) will be presented as well as lessons learned from over 20 years of experience working with the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM). Dan will share pitfalls to avoid, mistakes to be minimized, and keys to success.
8:10 - 8:40 PM
Using High Tunnels and Mosquito Screening for Season Extension of Vegetables
Danny Blank and Ekachai Jaja
High tunnels can be a low-tech option for extending the season of high-value vegetable crops. 'Protected agriculture,' essentially greenhouse plastic above crops, is well known to dramatically improve crop production and value.
ROOM D
7:00 - 8:40 PM
Poster Session
Facilitated by Dr. Tim Motis and Stacy Swartz
ECHO Florida’s fifth annual poster session. Attendees who submitted a poster will present their research findings.
ROOM F
7:00 - 8:40 PM
Latin America/Caribbean Networking Session
Facilitated by ECHO® LAC Team
We invite all those involved, or interested in being involved, in Latin America and the Caribbean to join this session for a time of connecting with each other, and hearing brief updates about ECHO’s support to the regional network. We will highlight recent resources and opportunities, particularly for the Haiti and Central American networks.
6:30 AM
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is complementary for guests staying at the conference hotel.
8:00 AM
8:45 AM
Worship, Devotions, and Announcements
9:00 AM
11:45 AM
Plenary Sessions
Morning plenary speakers will address agricultural challenges, personal experiences, and strategies for improving the lives of millions who daily face food insecurity.
11:15 AM
Group Photo
12:15 PM
1:30 PM
Lunch
Lunch is served at the ECHO® Global Farm. (Included in your registration)
Regional Networking Tables: Eat lunch and network with others working in your region.
1:30 PM
2:30 PM
Afternoon Workshops Session 1
Syntropic Agroforestry
Location 2 - Visitor Center
Roger Gietzen
Syntropic farming is a high-yield agroforestry method that also results in soil regeneration. It produces an abundance with almost zero inputs after the initial planting. Roger will discuss five example farms in Haiti in various locations in the Central Plateau region which are between 0-3 years of age. He will discuss the principles of syntropic farming, the benefits he has seen and discuss some of the technical and social challenges the work in Haiti has faced.
UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for Farm Survey and Planning
Location A - Peckham Learning Center
Timothy Watkins
UAVs/drones are employed widely in agricultural settings for a number of functions, such as plant health monitoring, pest scouting, farm mapping, land survey, and even spray applications. This session will focus on the use of drone imagery for farm mapping and planning.
Grafting - Session 1
Location B - A-Frame Lawn
Lydia Hofland & Melissa Hall
Instructors will teach grafting principles and practices with demonstration and individual practice.
ECHO Global Farm Tour
Location C - Bamboo Courtyard
Dr. Martin Price
This walking tour of the farm will feature some of the lesser known plants and techniques; for example, perennial vegetables and rooftop gardening techniques.
Coffee Pruning and Management
Location D - Rainforest Clearing
Rafael Flores
The challenges for pruning coffee plants are related to lack of knowledge in how, when to do it, and the reduction in production that the farmer will have for one year. This practical workshop will discuss the reasons for pruning and the best practices of how.
Underutilized Tropical Crops
Location F - AT Kitchen
Josh Jamison
In this walking tour Josh Jamison will share about the diversity of useful plants that exist around the world. This tour will focus on the often overlooked crops that can be used to provide food, forage, and fuel for those in the tropics and subtropics.
An Introduction to Soldier Fly Production
Location G - AT Pavilion
JC Barrios
Black soldier fly larvae are an insect species that can convert low-value waste products into high-value small livestock feed. These novel insects have great potential to increase the productivity of small animal production in resource limited conditions where feed resources are frequently unavailable. This session will cover the fly life cycle, basic husbandry practices and animal feeding logistics.
Seed Bank Tour
Location K - Seed Bank
Holly Sobetski
Take a tour of ECHO’s seed bank and learn some basic principles for selecting crops to multiply, growing a crop for seed production, collecting and storing the seed, and monitoring quality/viability of stored seeds.
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Afternoon Workshops Session 2
Nonprofit Management
Location 2 - Vistor Center
Dr. Martin Price
It is surprising how many people end up being leaders and managers in the NGO world who have had no training and little time to develop a set of core values of practical management ideas. This is a rapid-fire discussion of many principles that continue to serve me well in leading or consulting with nonprofit organizations.
International Transitions: Surviving or Thriving?
Location 6 - Technical Classroom
Ellen Hargrave
Those of us involved in international mission or development work find ourselves leaving one culture and entering another and returning. In this workshop Ellen will introduce strategies for handling these transitions effectively.
A Recipe of Abundant Life that is Transforming Lives in East Africa
Location A - Peckham Learning Center
Joy Kauffman
FARM STEW International has trained 71,000 Africans to educate their communities through gardening, healthful cooking, obtaining clean water, improving sanitation, and inspiring enterprise so they can help themselves. FARM STEW is inspired by Jesus who came that all may have life and have it abundantly! (John 10:10). Come to learn the recipe of abundant life, leave with practical skills that you can integrate into your program, and explore a partnership with FARM STEW E-learning.
Grafting - Session 2
Location B - A-Frame Lawn
Crafton Clift, David & Jenny Burd, and Sarah Hinson
Delegates who attended any first session will have the opportunity to continue to practice grafting techniques.
Agroforestry Tour
Location C - Bamboo Courtyard
Timothy Watkins and Bob Hargrave
This tour introduces the concept of agroforestry and presents various examples of agroforestry systems at ECHO.
Permaculture in the Tropics
Location D - Rainforest Clearing
Andy Cotarelo
This discussion will focus on: What is permaculture? How would permaculture be used in my farming system? Am I already doing permaculture? Come with your experience to share as well as your own questions.
Chapin Drip Irrigation
Location E - Semi Arid
David Rivers and William Chapin
A simple bucket drip irrigation system is being used worldwide to enable small-scale farmers to produce vegetables during either dry seasons or drought conditions. A demonstration of this drip irrigation system will be presented as well as various other improved gardening technologies to assist in food security programs.
Living Fences
Location G - AT Pavilion
Dan Janzen
Living fences can offer an affordable and appropriate solution using existing local resources. A range of possibilities in establishing living fences and the many considerations to find the best match will be explored in his talk.
Biochar Firing
Location K - Seed Bank
Elliott Toevs
Participants will learn how to make biochar using a top-lit-up-draft (TLUD) kiln. Topics to be covered include: selecting and preparing biomass, proper loading of the kiln, and maintaining optimum conditions during pyrolization.
4:15 PM
AND
4:45 PM
Bus Departure
Transportation from the ECHO® Global Farm is provided at 4:15 and 4:45. buses depart from the walkway in front of the Bookstore/Nursery.
6:00 PM
8:00 PM
Conference Closing and Celebration
Holiday Inn Ballroom
Join the Event
Conference Registration
Students
ECHO has discounts available for students.
Partial Attendance
Can't stay for the whole conference? We may be able to give you a reduced rate.
For scholarships, student discounts, or partial attendance, please email conference@echonet.org to inquire further.
- Morning Plenary Sessions Yes
- Lunch Yes
- Afternoon Workshops Yes
- Evening SessionsYes
- Conference ResourcesYes
- Closing CelebrationYes
- Morning Plenary Sessions Yes
- Lunch Yes
- Afternoon Workshops Yes
- Evening SessionsYes
- Conference ResourcesYes
- Closing CelebrationYes
Spouse Registration
$ 150Lodging not included.
Join your spouse for the full conference experience!
- Morning Plenary Sessions Yes
- Lunch Yes
- Afternoon Workshops Yes
- Evening SessionsYes
- Conference ResourcesYes
- Closing CelebrationYes
One-Day Pass
$ 150Lodging not included.
Attend Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
- Morning Plenary Sessions Yes
- Lunch Yes
- Afternoon Workshops Yes
- Evening SessionsYes
Registration Available Until November 1, 2022.
Transportation & Lodging
Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn
& ECHO® Global Farm
Conveniently located near the ECHO Global Farm, the Holiday Inn 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. You can book your room by calling the Holiday Inn at 239-561-1550
Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @ Town Center
9931 Interstate Commerce Drive
Call 239-561-1550 and mention the code "ECH" to get the event rate
Transportation is provided from the Holiday Inn 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 at the Alico Road exit (128) on I-75.
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.
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
Low cost plant parasitic nematode management strategies - Dr. Ben Dube
Simple and yet effective agronomic practices for most vegetable crops that discourage the buildup of plant - parasitic nematodes and other soil borne pathogens in the soil...
November 15, 2017
Post-conflict Agriculture
As development practitioners, researchers, and changemakers we are confronted by situations in which armed conflict has torn apart the physical and social structures of societies. Smallholder farmers are deeply impacted...
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Food & Drink
Where to eat:
Breakfast
If you are a paying guest at the Holiday Inn, breakfast is included.
Lunch
Lunch is provided each day at the ECHO® Global Farm.
Dinner
Thursday's conference celebration is included in your conference registration Please plan to make your own dinner arrangements on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
There are many restaurants within a short complementary shuttle ride or walking distance of the conference hotel. Below we have provided some resources if you are looking for a place to eat:
Lodging Within Walking Distance
Conference Hotel Alternatives:
Homewood Suites
$150-250/Night
255 Big Pine Way, Fort Myers, Florida, 33907
(0.2 miles) 3 minute walk to event location
+1-239-275-6000
Fairfield Inn & Suites
$125-175/Night
7090 Cypress Terrace, Fort Myers, Florida, 33907
(1.0 miles) 20 minute walk to event location
+1-239-437-5600
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
Conference App
Attendee Profile List
Let other attendees know who you are, where you work, and projects and interests. Find and connect with other delegates who may be working in your geographic or interest area.
Community Board
Connect with other delegates through discussion of important topics. Ask and respond to questions, and connect with Conference administrators.
Virtual Meet
Connect one-on-one with a delegate through the Virtual Meet option. Suggest a meeting with someone who you want to get to know more and directly connect through the app.
Utilize the Community Board and Attendee Profile and identify people that you want to follow up with.
