ECHO Farms helping people in Cuba for the first time

ECHO Farms helping people in Cuba for the first time
Story Created: Nov 12, 2012 at 6:05 PM

LEE COUNTY, Fla. - An organization dedicated to helping feed the hungry
is now serving people in Cuba. ECHO Farms is in north Fort Myers, but
reaches thousands across the nation.

"The first thing you notice as you're flying into the country, is you
notice theres just vast stretches of unused land." Before Stan Doerr
even set foot in Cuba he saw opportunity in a country ravaged by
communism. And a glimmer of hope.

"Policies within the government are changing now, and in 54 years since
the revolution, churches are able to get land they can use for
agricultural purposes," Doerr said.

Doerr is the president and CEO of the Educational Concerns for Hunger
Organization, teaching thousands of people in countries across the globe
how to grow their own food.

This is the non-profit's first visit to Cuba.

The team used religious visas to gain access and meet with church groups.

"They said for 54 years, now we have not been able to have private farms
and the knowledge of agriculture has been lost," Doerr explained.

"That's where the organization can make a difference: by reaching out
and providing education, and options to farmers who are learning how to
grown once again.

One of the things that really struck me was the people. Their
willingness to work and to develop, with the little they had, you know,
doing so much there," said Jimiro Feliciano, with the organization.

Doerr and his team are hoping to return to the island next year.

http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-11-12/ECHO-Farms-helping-people-in-Cuba-for-the-first-time#.UKJvUYaGBhU