Journal 3: Reflections on the field trip to ECHO
Echo is to serve as a resource for people working in tropical settings around the world. For farmers and growers really it helps to give the necessities of life without all the technologies of the information era. But I really see it as a place where Americans use innovations that are low cost and from common things to help poor unruly countries. To me, this seems like a step backwards but it might help young inventors see the world a little bit differently. Echo started in 1981 on five acres and now has about 50 acres. The first tree that Bob the guide showed us was a Juju tree, which is drought tolerant fruit tree. Another tree we saw was a bamboo tree which I don’t know if it is a tree or grass or something, but standing near it you could nearly hear it grow. With some kind of crackling noise, must have been from the wind. Neem was an interesting plant from India (right now I am taking a class and have to read about 7 books about India) that is a pest repellant plant. The twigs kill bacteria and many people in other countries use them as tooth brushes because it kills bacteria.
Jatropha was another poisonous plant which they said could be used as an oil substitute, but I doubt that will go anywhere with corn ethanol being a problem as it is. I wonder what would happen to my car with this gas in it. My overall experience of Echo was nice. My mom said I went there on a field trip in first grade; of course I didn’t remember that. It is nice that people work in these kinds of fields but I don’t think there is much for me. I like nature as much as the next man but a pit of worms would keep me away for good amount of time.
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