Growing Together at ECHO Farm

On October 4, ECHO Farm welcomed guests to its North Fort Myers location for the return of its annual Get Into Gardening event. The family-friendly celebration marked the official launch of “Growing Together,” a new monthly Saturday workshop series designed to give Southwest Florida residents hands-on experience in sustainable food production. 

Visitors spent the day exploring ECHO’s agriculture demonstration farm, which simulates eight distinct global climates, while learning simple, practical techniques to grow food in their own backyards. Guests also enjoyed educational workshops, guided tours, coffee and tea tastings, and the farm’s popular nursery sale, featuring hundreds of edible plants suited for Florida’s fall growing season. 

ECHO’s North America Impact Center serves as a venue for agricultural innovation and education, offering training and resources to farmers, students, and development workers around the world. The organization’s mission is to reduce hunger and improve the lives of small-scale farmers through sustainable farming techniques that restore the land and build community resilience. 

Under the leadership of Grace Miller, ECHO’s North America Director, the farm continues to bridge innovative agricultural research with real-world impact. Earlier this year, Miller was recognized in Who’s Who of Professional Women for her work connecting global farming knowledge to grassroots changemakers. 

As the fall season begins, ECHO’s team hopes the momentum from Get Into Gardening will continue through the upcoming “Growing Together” workshops, where residents can learn, plant, and grow side by side. 

For more information on upcoming workshops or to learn more about ECHO, visit echonet.org.