Issue 10 Stories
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The Road Ahead

Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D. President/CEO
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Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D. President/CEO

It is truly my honor to be back at ECHO!

When I first visited ECHO more than 20 years ago, I was both inspired and impressed by the commitment of Martin and Bonnie Price and the scope and expanse of ECHO’s diverse network. I, then, had the privilege to help set up the ECHO Asia Seed Bank, and serve alongside the team as a research volunteer before becoming the ECHO Asia Impact Center Director for the next five years. Most recently, I stayed in touch with ECHO while serving with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and saw the key role ECHO has to play in improving the lives of small-scale farmers.

I am humbled to pursue the high standards set by my predecessor, David. His professionalism, pursuit of excellence, management, and fundraising prowess have blessed ECHO on a global scale. I welcome his mentorship as we continue to propel ECHO forward in the years to come.

As a team we are committed to continuing the pursuit of ECHO’s mission with intentionality, passionately providing hope for the small-scale farmers that we serve. We remain rooted in the mission and vision that has led ECHO from the beginning:

  • Vision: Honoring God by empowering the undernourished with Sustainable Hunger Solutions 
  • Mission: Following Jesus by reducing hunger and improving lives worldwide through partnerships that equip people with agricultural resources and skills.

In the coming year, we are drafting the next five-year strategic plan, focusing on continued impact rooted in context, needs assessment, and the empowerment of those we serve! We look to God to continue to sustain and grow us, and to our faithful donors, global partners, and incredible staff for being the vessels through which this happens each day. 

It is my firm conviction that God has incredible things in store for ECHO in the next 40 years or until there is no more poverty, no more hunger, and everyone has heard the good news of the Gospel.

Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D. President/CEO
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Multiplying Great Ideas Around the World

This year's report highlights the multiplying impact of great ideas around the world! Thank you for joining with us to equip and empower small-scale farming families to experience true Hope Against Hunger! Click on any feature to read more!
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ECHO’s Global Reach

The benefits of providing relevant training to male and female farmers go far beyond the individual — to healthier children, more education, and greater investment in the community.
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Training Across Borders

While COVID precautions affected all of our teams around the world, it was most felt by our Southeast Asia team. Adapting to these constraints, the passionate team completed research and demonstration projects at the Small Farm Resource Center and then published tailored training resources in multiple languages for network partners to share in their communities.
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Innovating for Generations

In partnership with 24 secondary schools in Tanzania, ECHO has trained thousands of future farmers in sustainable, creative ways to improve their nutrition and family livelihoods.
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Hope for a Harvest

Your generous support has allowed the ECHO West Africa team to continue training in Bible institutes and schools across the region — equipping future pastors and their families to model holistic development and transformation to their communities.
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Equipping Worldchangers

Each year, eight exceptional young people join ECHO’s Internship Program to gain hands-on experience in tropical agriculture and missions.
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Global Resourcing

Multiplying Impact is at the heart of ECHO’s mission. Inherent to ECHO’s model is the expectation that entrepreneurial farmers and partners resourced and trained by ECHO benefit their families and communities by multiplying the plants, agricultural practices, and appropriate technologies with which they are equipped.
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Financial Review
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Passing The Baton

"By God’s grace, my successor will inherit a global team that is strategically focused on serving and equipping small-scale farming families with knowledge and skills that can have a transformative and sustainable impact on their lives and communities."
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The Road Ahead

"As a team we are committed to continuing the pursuit of ECHO’s mission with intentionality, passionately providing hope for the small-scale farmers that we serve. We remain rooted in the mission and vision that has led ECHO from the beginning."