In this week’s field trip experience, we traveled deep into the ECHO facility and our local campus to learn more about environmental sustainability from an agricultural standpoint. ECHO's purpose is to promote sustainable farming techniques, nutritional plants, and appropriate technologies.
Here at FGCU we have a variety of agricultural sustainability components that reflect those used at ECHO.
In class readings we often address the connection between the human impact and natural wildlife. A balance is indeed important to maintaining a sustainable ecosystem. Annually, ECHO Florida and our Regional Impact Centers host a variety of learning opportunities. Each event gathers hundreds of missionaries, students, and practitioners together to share experiences, stories, and ideas with people who are passionate about equipping families with lasting hunger
solutions.
Another example is FGCU’s Food Forest on campus. It is a permaculture inspired garden. As we have learned in class readings, Permaculture is the concept of mimicking the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems rather than using the resource-intensive practices seen in industrialized agriculture.
Food Forest seeks to elevate the environmental sustainability of the institution through providing organic fruits and vegetables to the campus and southwest Florida communities. Ultimately, through engaging the hands, hearts, and minds of students, alumni, staff, faculty, and community members, the Food Forest will offer a space for the cultivation of lifelong learning and for a commitment to sustainable food and living practices.
An important concept from the readings is the duty and privilege we as individuals have to contribute to our environment in growing, processing, transporting, storing, cooking and disposing of the food we eat. ECHO makes part of its mission to nurturing the principles of participatory engagement, building foundational understandings of plants, practices, and appropriate technologies, recognizing options and opportunities in community development, and gaining practical experience.
An important concept from the readings is the duty and privilege we as individuals have to contribute to our environment in growing, processing, transporting, storing, cooking and disposing of the food we eat. ECHO makes part of its mission to nurturing the principles of participatory engagement, building foundational understandings of plants, practices, and appropriate technologies, recognizing options and opportunities in community development, and gaining practical experience.
FGCU makes sure to do it’s part by providing healthy and sustainable forms of nutrients for students living on campus. For example, the campus dining experience includes vegan and vegetarian options to persuade students to eat healthier and give back to our local ecosystem.
This was such an awesome virtual experience, I can not wait to take a physical visit to ECHO at some point.
