Where can you find over a hundred professionals in various agricultural and developmental fields, representatives from numerous developmental organizations working in over ten different Asian countries, not to mention a nice bunch of plant nerds, but most of all where can you find a place to network with people who are as passionate as you are about helping others?
One good place is at the ECHO Asia Agriculture and Community Development Conference held in Chiang Mai, Thailand!
 |
| Conference Hall |
Jeffrey and I had the opportunity to attend the conference this past week, October 3-7, 2011.
If you have heard of
ECHO before, you may be most familiar with their development center in Fort Myers, Florida. Shortly after moving to Laos, we were introduced to their first impact center on this side of the world, Chiang Mai, Thailand. In our first year of community development,
ECHO Asia has been a great resource in our work – informing MCC of nutritious local vegetable varieties, connecting us with others working in rice growing so we could ask questions and learn, and providing us a big bag of seeds for this year’s school garden activity!
Some information that we are excited to take back to our work area includes:
A new nutrition curriculum, LANN, compiled by Lao based NGOs which is specifically geared toward rural Lao people. Jeffrey is excited to look through the curriculum and possibly introduce aspects of it to the nutrition team.
Techniques we can use when saving and storing seeds in the tropics. Hopefully some will be appropriate to use in MCC’s school garden activity.
 |
| Germination Test |
A reminder that what is considered ‘pigweed’ (Amaranth), in most of North America, is actually one of the most nutritious green vegetables in this area! We also learned about the highly nutritious grain variety as well, but are not sure if such a grain would be applicable in Laos yet. We did receive some seed though, so we might try to grow grain amaranth and see if our neighbors like to eat it!
Other things we've tucked into our bags are techniques we want to try in our own garden/home someday!
 |
| Biochar Oven |
 |
| Efficient Rice Husk Stove |
One thing we appreciate about ECHO is not only their dedication to equip people with resources and skills to reduce hunger and improve the lives of the poor, but also to honor God in everything they do.We were impressed that people of many different faiths attended the conference both as delegates and as speakers. Jeffrey and I were refreshed by the morning devotions and worship times which reflected ECHO's christian values, and were inspired by connecting with professionals from so many walks of life.
You guys are great! Kaarina, we have eaten pig weed often. While weeding the garden I just took it into the house and we had a meal. Now perhaps I'll just harvest it as it grows. I think I'll leave my garden under carpet for one year to see if we can get rid of the tomato blight/fungus. Any other suggestions?
ReplyDeleteWe liked the feed trough eating idea. There is one in Valencia, CA but you are not charged by the time. We doubt you'd find one that charged so little for what you can eat in 1.25 hours.
Ba and Amma