Global Food Festival Returns to ECHO Farms With Week-Long Sustainable Agriculture Program

ECHO Farms in North Fort Myers comes alive as the Global Food and Farm Festival runs until March 21. This week-long celebration teaches visitors how to grow food in ways that help combat hunger around the world.

"We learn from farmers around the world, and then we take those learnings and offer those to other people. We're really a conduit for them," said John R. Smith, chair of the Global Food and Farm Festival, to Fox 4.

At this 57-acre property, guests can get their hands dirty squeezing fresh sugarcane juice and making peanut butter from scratch. The farm's tropical rainforest area showcases innovative ways to use renewable energy.

Daily workshops teach everything from plant growing basics to seed saving and farming in tropical climates. These sessions aim to help communities facing food insecurity.

"One of the things that's exciting about today is just the eye-opening experience of understanding global needs. I think it's easy for us in South Florida to get comfortable and know we can just go to Publix and get food, but here we're learning that it takes work for many people to produce a meal," said Grace Ju Miller, Director of ECHO's North American Regional Impact Center, to Fox 4.

The festival is located at 17391 Durrance Road. Visit ECHO's website for more information on the festival and the sessions offered.