“Cohort.” A new word keeps popping up around ECHO Florida. For the first time in ECHO’s
history, eight new interns arrived at the same time. This “cohort-style” internship means that the interns will be able to experience the newness of ECHO Florida and tropical agriculture in a group. “I love that I have others with me also
experiencing everything for the first time,” says Grace Brinsfield. It also means that foundational knowledge can be shared early and built upon as the year progresses.
New to the intern program this year is an exciting partnership with Dallas International University (DIU) which will allow interns to earn a Graduate Certificate in Tropical Agriculture Development after their
12 months at ECHO.
Interns will participate in eight graduate-level courses focusing on applying knowledge within communities through cross-cultural training, multicultural teamwork, community development, tropical crops, and agricultural experimentation. Five of the courses are taught by ECHO staff members and complemented by experiences gained through ECHO’s internship program, and three courses will be taught by DIU staff.
Another new feature is a more rotational system in which the interns will gain experience in each of the animals on the farm, instead of specializing in one animal. This will provide a more rounded experience with goats, pigs, chickens, and the forage bank — after all, knowing what crops to grow to feed the animals is important as well.
Though the structure has changed, the purpose of the internship remains the same. Equipping interns for international service is core to ECHO’s mission. Interns are still immersed in hands-on experiences in the various tropical gardens, enjoying the bounty of crops that grow well and learning hard-earned lessons when a crop doesn’t pan out.
Practical, Hands-on Experience
When I met up with new interns Sarah Harding and Robert Beaty, they were cutting and tying bunches of lablab and mucuna vines and hanging them up to dry. Sarah and Robert were hot, but smiling. Working together as intern buddies on the project, they expressed how much they appreciate the teamwork, collaboration, and learning opportunities of the internship tasks. They shared that they’ve already learned about how the dried cover crops can be a rich fertilizer when mulched around future millet plants in a nearby garden plot.
We look forward to sharing updates with you in the next months and years as we see ECHO’s mission take root in the lives and futures of these passionate young people.
