Forty Years of ECHO Interns

“We are always amazed at what God has done. We started small and worked with what we had and took each step as it came. We would never have dreamed that ECHO would become what it is today,” shared Martin Price, Founding CEO.

Dr. Martin and Bonnie Price arrived at ECHO’s Fort Myers property on June 18, 1981. The internship program started later that same year with the arrival of Elise Hansen. 

“ECHO’s property was flooded when I arrived, so my first official task was to assist Martin in digging drainage ditches by hand. He joked that I probably never imagined my college degree would prepare me for that job!” Elise recounts. “I became very close to Martin and Bonnie that year, as we initiated many of ECHO’s core missions, including the Seed Bank and ECHO Development Notes. I am very thankful and proud that I was part of ECHO during its first year under Martin’s leadership.”

This June, ECHO welcomed its 277th intern! 

After retiring as CEO in 2006, Martin and Bonnie have remained active volunteers helping with ECHO workshops and special events. One of their great joys is reconnecting with ECHO partners from years past. 

“We are thrilled to see interns take what they have learned and use it in their futures to help others in so many different ways,” shares Bonnie Price. “The interns have been a special joy in our lives!”

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In Their Own Words: Joyce Charles

My name is Joyce Charles; I am a mother of two children from Arusha City. Through this training I will be able to produce these vegetables for my family’s use and also for sale to increase income from selling of produce since during the dry season it becomes difficult to find seasonal vegetables.
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From David Erickson, President/CEO

Welcome to a new issue of<i>ECHO News</i>! In a number of these stories, you’ll see words like “observe,” “test,” “trial,” “research,” and “study”. For us, these aren’t academic or passive activities. Rather, they are vital elements of our work and witness around the world.

Forty Years of ECHO Interns

Dr. Martin and Bonnie Price arrived at ECHO’s Fort Myers property on June 18, 1981. The internship program started later that same year with the arrival of Elise Hansen. This June, ECHO welcomed its 277th intern!
In Their Own Words

In Their Own Words: Joyce Charles

My name is Joyce Charles; I am a mother of two children from Arusha City. Through this training I will be able to produce these vegetables for my family’s use and also for sale to increase income from selling of produce since during the dry season it becomes difficult to find seasonal vegetables.
Feature

Growth in ECHO’s Internship Program

Eight new interns arrived at ECHO Florida as a cohort in June. Changes to the internship program add new learning opportunities including a graduate certificate.

Nutrition and the Garden

With support from ECHO, a rehabilitation center for children recovering from corrective orthopedic and plastic surgeries in Tanzania uses their flourishing garden to feed 200 people each day and teach household nutrition.
Feature

Local Research for Global Impact

Storing fresh produce is not a task most people put too much thought or energy into — using a container and tossing it into the refrigerator will suffice. But for one farmer in Burundi, his method of storing freshly harvested tomatoes was far from ordinary.
Intern Spotlight

Intern Spotlight: Lindy

“I want to remember that as an agriculturalist, I will always be a learner, especially when entering a different culture. This is one of the values I have gained from my time at ECHO.”