ECHO Farm Day 2009

Farm Day 2009
March 14, 2009 - 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) is holding their annual Farm Day on March 14, 2009.

Their online announcement states:

Come explore ECHO's Global Farm during this once-a-year event! Experience behind-the-scenes tours and demonstrations and sample some of the amazing varieties of tropical fruit on ECHO's Farm.

Learn first-hand how ECHO provides extraordinary solutions for those working with the poor overseas.

Admission for adults is $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Admission for children is FREE. Tickets can be purchased at ECHO's Global Bookstore from February 1 - March 13, 2009.

Invite your co-workers, church or other group. Download a printable flyer here

ECHO has been networking with others since 1981 to help fight world hunger. They are located at 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers, Florida 33917.

Caloosa Rare Fruit Exchange Tree Sale

The Caloosa Rare Fruit Exchange (CRFE) is holding their annual tree sale on February 14, 2009 at Terry Park off of Palm Beach Blvd in Fort Myers.

The CRFE has monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 PM. The group meets in the meeting rooms at the back of the Lee County Extension Office at 3406 Palm Beach Blvd in Terry Park. Parking is in the back.

Meetings consist of speakers on different topics, there is an exchange table for swapping plants with other members, and a tasting table where you can try unusual fruits. The group also goes on tours of nurseries, member's gardens, parks, etc. They also have a monthly newsletter sharing recipes, tips, advice, etc.

Membership dues are $10 per year, plus $5 the first year for your name tag.

If interested in joining or if you have any questions, you may contact the CRFE at 543-9910.

The tree sale will run 9 AM until 3 PM on February 14th. I believe that representatives from ECHO may also be in selling plants at this show.

Lecture "Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds"

miamimami of the FL GardenWeb alerted us to this lecture. The information as she received it is as follows:

Please join us on Wednesday, January 28 at 7pm for Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds presented by author Claire Hope Cummings.

RSVP to scrippsinstitute@fau.edu.
Download the invitation at: http://www.ces.fau.edu/scripps/CummingsInvitation.pdf

About the Lecture: An environmental journalist reports on the food system in a time of declining resources, growing populations, and economic and social unrest. Ms Cummings offers a critique of industrial agriculture and asks where we go from here: What do we need to feed ourselves? What do we need to know and what technologies will support sustainability?

About the Author: Claire Hope Cummings is an environmental lawyer, print and broadcast journalist and the author of Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds. She is a former U.S. Department of Agriculture attorney and food and farming editor for public radio and writes for national environmental magazines as well as newspapers, online publications and blogs.

There will be a book signing immediately following the lecture on Wednesday. The campus bookstore will have Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds available for sale. You may purchase this books in advance by calling the bookstore at 561-799-8538 and they will be available for you when you arrive at the lecture OR you may just purchase after the lecture.

Directions: Take Interstate 95 to Donald Ross Road (exit 83) and go east to the second light. Turn left onto Parkside Drive, then take the second right into the campus parking lot. The auditorium is in the first building you’ll encounter as you leave the lot walking towards campus.