URBAN & AGRICULTURAL REFLECTION - Journal Entry #3

In Front of the Duck & Tilapia Pond with a Treadle Pump

When I first arrived at ECHO, I was welcomed by my tour guide, Vic, who seemed quite pleased to explain the workings of this global demonstration farm to me. The very first thing I learned is that ECHO is not driven by having to make a profit. Rather, they are a non-profit facility focused on teaching others how to overcome hunger in challenging environments around the world. Vic appeared gratified by the fact that ECHO works on long-term resolutions toward solving hunger issues, rather than unpretentious, hurried fixes. As they say, "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime."

Blue Tilapia Fish Pond

One of the more interesting aspects of this facility is how people residing in the highlands are educated about erosion control. A technique referred to as Sloping Agricultural Land Technology, or SALT, is a process in which nitrogen-fixing trees are planted as hedgerows, and where diversified food crops are planted and grown in the contoured spaces amongst the hedgerows. Farming in this fashion assists with effectively controlling soil erosion and aids in restoring soil fertility.

In Front of the Goat House

I found the Chapin bucket drip system relatively intriguing as well. This is an irrigation system developed for drought regions which comprises of an ordinary bucket, some tubing, tape, filter screens, and an adapter. This system works by means of gravity when a bucket of water is elevated up adequately enough to generate sufficient pressure to propel water through the tubing on the ground. The bucket is filled only once or twice per day, and affords enough moisture to the plants to sustain a garden for a family of four.

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All About the Municipal Pier

My excursion through downtown Fort Myers was an enlightening endeavor. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to devote a morning stroll in this urban area with my lovely wife. Although the skies looked like rain, the weather was kind, and any showers held off until the very end of our two hour and fifteen minute tour. Whilst scavenging for items on the provided list, we happened upon an interesting, yet unique Banyan tree. The root system was complex and amazing; as such, we had to wonder how this magnificent tree wound up in the middle of downtown!

In Front of the Historical Arcade Theater

To know that I have lived here for ten years, and had labeled downtown Fort Myers as old, unkempt, and a dangerous area to be in, you can fancy my surprise to find quite the opposite! The area overall consisted of a nice mix of smaller shops, offices, and nightclubs amongst large, stately, historic, older buildings. Honestly, we were surprised to find how remarkably clean and well-kept this particular area is, and a bit disappointed in ourselves for having judged too quickly.

As Promised, the Painted Olympian Figure I could not draw in MS Word

We were fortunate to find most of the items on the scavenger list, and my wife was thrilled to learn from a statute that Lee County was named in honor of General Robert E. Lee – one of her direct ancestors! Although we could not locate the sword Excalibur, the ad with two men skiing on the top of a snow-filled mountain, nor the bookcase with a collection of Ernest Hemingway’s work, we had a splendid time, and are planning to return again soon…only this time to enjoy lunch!