ECHO Field Trip

ECHO is a christian organ ization inventing and distributing new ways to produce food in developing countries and urban areas such as New York City. At the ECHO farm we were taken on a tour by a very kind, farmer/Cardio-thoracic surgeon. He explained all about their beautiful and useful gardens of fruits, vegetables, and other plants.  

It was interesting to see the techniques they were using to help grow food in developing nations. we saw things like roof-top gardens and homemade goat houses. my favorite part of the trip was learning about the different types of plants that they used. From banana trees, to giant bamboo plants, they are all very specifically useful. We learned that bamboo is a great commodity because it can be used for the main structure of houses in other countries. All of the volunteers and staff seemed genuinely happy about their jobs. They are doing wonderful things for the community in the way of education, as well as for the world as a whole as far as studying and distributing ways that food can be produced in poor areas.

There were many animals at the farm. There were goats in little wooden huts. One of them was pregnant. Goats are a prized commodity in developing nations because they produce milk that can be made into a variety of products and sold. There were also some chickens. the chickens provide fertilizer for the soil, and produce eggs that can be eaten, or sold for a profit. There were also many many ducks in a pond. All of these animals are useful and serve a purpose in a developing country. I thought this trip was a valuable experience and should be taken each semester. I learned a lot and I am glad I went.