March 16 through 22 brings back ECHO's annual Global Food and Farm Festival. 

“This annual event brings thousands of people together to learn about farming, alternative energies, gardening, and more,” says Danielle Flood, CFRE, Assistant Director of Advancement.

The festival starts with Farm Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. 

“This open-air experience offers hands-on demonstrations, cooking shows, learning experiences, crafts, food, plant sales, tours, and lots of fun! Then, Tuesday, March 19 to Friday, March 22, we have four days of experiential workshops from beekeeping and how to use moringa to edible landscape design and fermented foods!” adds Flood. 

Food trucks will add to the festivities on Saturday, March 16.

Workshops, interactive demonstrations & live-on-stage cooking shows will be part of the big opening day and will offer great fun for the family.  The little ones will especially love cane crushing, giant Jenga, spinning wool, and butter sampling that takes place.

The 57-acre Global Farm offers regular weekly tours where guests enjoy a close-up look at creative farming, unique demonstrations, and techniques that farmers and urban gardeners use throughout the world. The Global Farm Tours take guests through seven different settings, such as monsoon and tropical. 

“They’ll also learn about alternative energies as they are demonstrated in the appropriate technology area!” adds Flood. 

Adults and kids of all ages will learn and enjoy a tactical experience as they go through the tour. ECHO helps farmers around the world learn to help themselves. On site is also a bookstore, seed bank and nursery. 

Plan your visit: 

ECHO, 17391 Durrance Road
North Fort Myers, 239.543.3246, Echonet.org.