Journal 3: ECHO Farm and the Food Footprint

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)

ECHO Farm Experience Reflection:

What did you learn about sustainability? Why are organizations like this one important to the world and to you? Describe an example of adaptive technology. Give examples of plants encountered and how they are being used. Did you discover something in ECHO farm that you might apply to your own life? Explain.

    Sustainability in impoverished and resource limited areas where ECHO aims to help is more than just 'reduce, reuse, recycle'--sustainability is the difference between life and death for most of these people.  If they use farming techniques that deplete the soil of all of its nutrients in one harvest, then in the next year they are left with nothing.  Furthermore, if they use inappropriate fertilizing techniques, they can potentially damage or even destroy their few and far between water sources.  Additionally, if they cannot adapt to the changing seasons or climates, they cannot afford to run down to the nearest McDonald's for dinner when the weather is too dry.  They are left with no other choice than to "use what you have, where you are" as the video says. This also applies to the tools that have--there is no neighborhood Home Depot to run to and get watering cans, shovels or sprinklers.  All of this must be taken care of with what they have immediately available. ECHO is the extreme of 'sustainability'.

Photo: Lauren Lukasik

Photo: Lauren Lukasik

    Organizations like ECHO are so important to the world because they are sometimes the only thing that is keeping an entire community alive--without the research and techniques developed there, these people would be left with nothing.  The fact that we can have people on one side of the world have pizza delivered right to their doorstep and yet on the other side not even have clean water is baffling.  There is no way that we can have the technologies and communications that we do have nowadays and not use them to help those that are in need. This kind of organization is important to me because as an engineer, I have a moral responsibility to use my education and my talents to help elevate those not only around me, but also from afar.

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)

    A prime example of adaptive technology is ECHO's community-scale biodigesters.  As shown in the photos, food waste is thrown into the anaerobic container (black container) that allows the waste to be digested and produce methane gas.  This methane gas is then hooked up to a series of tubing which will provide the necessary medium to start a flame.  With this energy source, a stove top can be powered, or a kettle/oven combination.  This technology has the power to save lives in that it can boil water to rid it of contaminants or cook food that would otherwise have to be eaten raw or many other ways. (above)

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik) 

    Bamboo is used as materials for construction and many other uses to small scale farmers. (above)

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)

    The moringa tree, or 'miracle tree', is the most important tree grown at ECHO.  Due to its fast growing quality and resistance to drought, the moringa tree's young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables.  These are packed full of magnesium, fiber, potassium, manganese and Vitamin C. (above)

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)

    The integration of SALT, sloping agricultural land technology, into farming helps with planting nitrogen fixing trees and these trees' roots stabilize the soil (prevents mudslides) and provides a source of feed for famers' animals. (above)

(Photo: Lauren Lukasik)

    Chaya, another vital plant grown at ECHO, is sometimes said to have more nutrients than spinach.  It can tolerate heavy rains and some drought and is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, calcium and iron. However, leaves must be boiled for a few minutes prior to eating as they do contain toxic hydrocyanic acid. (above)

    Furthermore, I think I will be looking into ECHO's internship program when I am trying to figure out post-graduation plans.  I think being an onsite intern would be especially unique as an environmental engineer and it would a special experience for me since I am from the area and could be participating in life-changing research and experiments in my own backyard.

Food Footprint Reflection: 

What are your experiences growing plants or gardening? How would your life be different if you had to find or grow your own food, as many people around the world have to do? 

    As a kid, I would always help my parents out in the yard with yard work and my mom would always encourage my little sister and I to pick up some seeds at the store and plant our own little gardens on the side of the house.  Now I absolutely love succulents and bonsai trees.  While succulents are little to no maintenance, they come in the most stunning array of shapes, sizes and colors.  Bonsai trees on the other hand are very particular with their water intake, surrounding temperatures and pruning.  I love to look out on the porch and see my plants grow knowing I'm taking care of them.  My life would be completely topsy turvy if I had to find or grow my own food as I love my weekly trips to Publix where I can easily pick up exactly what I need when I need it and move on. 

Describe the feelings during a time when you fasted or experienced a situation when you were very hungry?

    Just about every Tuesday and Thursday, I'm in class from 8am-4pm nonstop in classrooms that do not allow food and if I don't take breaks in between to sit in the hallway and scarf down a granola bar, I get very irritable and become incredibly unfocused. I can't imagine what it would be like to deal with the extreme hunger and challenges one must overcome to fight that hunger just for a few hours.

Why do you think it is important to grow a biodiversity of foods?

    I think it is important to grow a biodiversity of foods so as to take the precautionary steps against the worst possible situation.  Take for example the Great Potato famine--a staple in their diet, the Irish potato crops were completely destroyed and many people dealt with the consequences of starvation with their loss of life.  Not only do we get our nutritional needs from many different foods, we need to diversify our crops in preparation for changes in weather, rain variations, natural disasters and such.

How might you reduce your footprint on the land?

    Personally, I try my very best to only buy what I'm going to eat and only prepare what I know I can finish.  It hurts me to see all these people buying up all of this food only to have it spoil in their refrigerators. Likewise, I'm always irritated when I go out to eat and I'm served a monster portion that no healthy human should be able to finish in one sitting.  I imagine all of the food that goes to waste and rots in the garbage can.

    At our restaurant, we do not believe in throwing our product away. When my dad and I are preparing the numbers for the bagel bakes, we take into consideration what day of the week it is, the season of the year, if there are any special events going on, if we have any donations planned and, most importantly, look back on numbers from years' past.  We always keep track of how much we bake and how much is left over at the end of the day and try to factor this into our planning.  We try to provide enough product to satisfy our customers without wasting surplus.  However, there are times when we do miss the mark.  We are sometimes left with 7 grocery sacks of bagels left at the end of the day and never sell old product.  However, we always donate these leftovers to local fire and police stations, soup kitchens, churches, fundraisers and the like.  Never will you find our dumpster full of leftover bagels, nor will you find an organization that is not thankful for these donations!

ECHO: Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization