ECHO Adventures

      Our field trip to ECHO farms was definitely an interesting one.  I learned a lot from those who work there and they enlightened me with facts and situations that people in third world countries deal with everyday.  Although the mosquitoes and the hot sun were quite torturous, these are conditions that people are forced to deal with on a daily basis.  Who am I to complain after being exposed to these conditions for a couple hours?

      Overall, I really enjoyed the trip.  I was so impressed with the different types of environments they have created as well as the many alternative ways to grow plants, treat water, and use other forms of useful technology for farmers with low income.  It was an eye opening experience and I am glad to have had the opportunity to tour the facility.  I am very impressed with all of the people who dedicate their lives to growing plants and helping others, especially because I could never see myself doing so in a million years.  Not that I wouldn't want to help the cause, but I think I would be one of the ones donating money rather than all of that time and effort.

      Here are some pictures I took of plants and equipment while at ECHO!

Our class walking through the trees

Who knew that a mulberry bush was actually a tree?
Not me....

I think cacti are so cool!
This is the prickly pear we were introduced to.

Banana trees; excuse me, we were taught they are banana PLANTS.

Our tour guide, Charlie Brown!
I couldn't help but laugh at his corny jokes.

Bamboo

Rice-- I was so surprised to learn US uses more rice than China!
I never would have guessed.

Papaya

Raised beds that help plants grow in areas that flood.
Great idea!

This is the tree where we saw the snake chasing something.
Yuck! I hate snakes!

I ate this plant... Can't say I enjoyed it too much.

Ate this as well.
It's called a peanut plant, but it sure didn't taste much like peanuts!

An archway made of vines and twigs that caught my eye.

It's hard to imagine using this to get fresh water.
It's crazy to think of not having access to water at the snap of a finger.

I felt so bad for this poor chicken cooped up in this cage!
He seemed plenty content, though.

My favorite flower! I love sunflowers.

Moringa leaves!
Although they didn't taste very good,
I ate a bunch of these leaves for their vitamins, potassium, calcium, and protein.

Our class learning about moringa leaves with Charlie.

Aloe vera! We have this in my backyard back home.
 I often use it to treat my sunburns.

If you look closely, you can see a bee to the left pollinating the flower of the banana plant.

These little guys were so cute!

Couldn't help but take pictures of them.

      That basically sums up my trip to ECHO!  I stopped photographing my journey towards the end of the trip because the sun got the best of me.  Plus, I was too busy slapping the mosquitoes that were feasting on my flesh.  But overall, I enjoyed the trip and I would definitely recommend visiting in order to gain a better understanding of just what life is like for so many people in the world.