ECHO

The field trip to ECHO was definitely the best class so far. I'm not usually a big fan of missionary organizations, but I like ECHO's commitment to teaching people how to feed themselves. One of the biggest problems in our foreign policy to the third world is that we try to feed people in other countries, rather than teach them to fend for themselves.

When I was a teenager, I lived in Bonita Springs, on about three acres of land covered by fruit trees and a vegetable garden big enough to feed my dad's entire brood. I spent probably three hours a day for two years just maintaining the trees and the garden, so I like to think I have a green thumb. As such, I definitely appreciated the variety and methods of farming the guide showed us at ECHO. The starfruit tree was pretty cool, it reminded me of the one we had, and what a pain in the ass it was to clean up and compost the fruit every day. And the guide was right, the prickly pear cactus did taste like okra.



On Tuesday, unless they reschedule again, I'll be starting my volunteer work at ECHO. I'm assigned to the PR office, but hopefully I'll get to spend most of my time on the farm.