ECHO Community and Agricultural Development Training, Ft. Myers, Florida — February 23–27, 2025

At the heart of effective community transformation lies the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) method—a biblically based strategy that integrates physical, spiritual, and social development. The CHE approach empowers local people to take ownership of their progress and become leaders of change within their own communities.

The Executive Director, Dan Janzen, highly recommends CHE training as the best training and preparation system he is familiar with. He has taken both TOT 1 and TOT 2 and has applied the training continuously in his work in Africa. Anyone who is considering community transformation work in the US or overseas in both rural and urban areas, whether short-term or long-term, and in particular the less developed areas, needs to consider taking this training. The training also provides the framework for moving people from relief to development and resilience, avoiding dependency and entitlement.

Rather than providing temporary relief, CHE promotes sustainability by equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge, and biblical foundation to identify problems, develop local solutions, and share them with others. This process nurtures lasting transformation that begins from within—bringing both physical well-being and spiritual renewal.

ECHO’s agricultural training directly supports this vision. By combining ECHO’s expertise in sustainable agriculture with the CHE model of empowerment, participants gain practical tools and a Christ-centered mindset for community renewal. They learn how to integrate improved farming methods, nutrition, and technology with discipleship and relationship-building.

The result is a wholistic approach that changes not just how people farm, but how they live—multiplying hope, dignity, and opportunity in every harvest. Communities flourish when development is rooted in faith, partnership, and empowerment—and ECHO’s upcoming training is designed to equip participants to be part of that movement of transformation of men and women who are learning to cultivate lasting change—one person, one village, and one harvest at a time.

This comprehensive course offers participants an introduction to the principles of poverty alleviation and community development, along with a full orientation to ECHO’s mission and methods. Participants will receive instruction on proven agricultural practices, practical techniques, and innovative systems and technologies designed to meet the holistic needs—agricultural, nutritional, and spiritual—of impoverished communities.

The course is conducted in an interactive format, emphasizing discovery-based learning and hands-on experience.

Event Details:

Location

ECHO North America

17391 Durrance Road North Fort Myers, Florida 33917 United States

Registration Information

Registration fees include:

• 5-day course
• USB drive with course content
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Lodging on campus

Registration does not include:

• Transportation to or from the airport

Registration Deadline: February 11, 2025

Course Fees (All-Inclusive)

All fees include housing (on the farm), meals, and training.

Register Here
All payments are processed through the ECHO website.

Lodging

Lodging is included in the registration fee and is provided on the ECHO campus.

• Check-in: Sunday, February 22
• Check-out: Saturday, February 28
• Accommodation types: Dormitory-style or shared guesthouses (based on availability)

If you are attending as a couple, ECHO will do its best to accommodate shared housing requests.
Please notify ECHO at study@echonet.org if you plan to bring family members. Additional fees may apply.

Meals

Meals are provided from Monday breakfast through Friday lunch.
ECHO cannot guarantee accommodation for special dietary needs or allergies, so participants are encouraged to plan accordingly.

For dietary concerns, contact study@echonet.org

Cancellation Policy

• Payment is due at registration.
• Full refund available with at least 4 weeks’ notice of cancellation.
• No refund if cancellation occurs with less than 1 week’s notice.
• ECHO reserves the right to cancel a course due to low enrollment. If this occurs, notice will be given two weeks before the first day of class.

About ECHO

ECHO is a global Christian organization dedicated to equipping people with practical agricultural solutions to fight hunger and improve lives in impoverished communities worldwide. Through training, innovation, and community partnerships, ECHO helps individuals and organizations bring lasting transformation to those they serve.