Faith and Farming is a scripture engagement initiative, connecting the Bible with everyday farmers' experiences to facilitate the impact of Bible translation. It has two primary goals, to help all those who work on the land to:
1) engage with all of the Bible in the language that they use as they work on their farms or with their animals, and
2) make a connection between their faith in God and their day to day work, so that their whole life is impacted and reflects God’s greatness in everything they do and say.
To do this, the Faith and Farming materials highlight and draw on the many farmers in the Bible, including God Himself, the very first "farmer" who planted the Garden of Eden.
The LEAD Community of Practice and ECHO North America Impact Centre are excited to be hosting this training event, contextualising the Faith and Farming materials for community engagement workers in the Americas. The event is suitable for both farmers and those who work alongside and support farmers, and will provide an introduction to the wider Faith and Farming curriculum for those who would like to incorporate its principles into their own work. Visit the Faith and Farming website for more information about the Faith and Farming programme.
While efforts will be made to ensure the material is relevant and appropriate for the Americas region, as with all training, much of the material covered will need to be sensitively considered and potentially adapted for implementation in your own unique work setting. It should also be noted that this training event is open to people of differing faiths and no faith, and the LEAD community of practice recognises the benefits of diversity when dealing with complex topics. However, for this event in particular the training will be based on stories and principles from the Christian Bible. Please consider carefully whether this is an event that you will be comfortable participating in fully.
Event Goal:
Participants return to their organisations and places of work with a better understanding of the connections between their faith, farming and agriculture more broadly, and are equipped and motivated to share their learning with others.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the event participants will have...
A basic theological understanding of the connections between Faith and Farming,
Reviewed and considered what the Bible has to say about farming and agriculture more broadly, and what the implications are for us as we work with the land in a sustainable way,
Considered what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a farmer and the implications for Scripture Engagement initiatives,
Seen firsthand a selection of sustainable farming techniques demonstrated at the ECHO Global Farm,
Begun to plan what their next steps are for incorporating their learning into their own work and context.
And (we hope that) by six months after the event, participants will have shared their learning with at least one group and are considering how to run a training event in their location, with the support of others as needed.
DRAFT SCHEDULE
The following schedule is indicative of the content we expect to cover. Specific sessions or times may change to ensure the content fits the participants needs and contexts.
LOGISTICS
When? Monday 3 February 2025 – Friday 7 February 2025 (5 days). Arrive Sunday 2 February, depart by Saturday 8 February.
Where? ECHO Global Farm, North Fort Myers, Florida.
How? The training event will be facilitated in English, adopting a participatory style. Feedback to the whole group will be in English, but participants are encouraged to use whichever languages they are most comfortable with when working in smaller groups. The event will be hosted at the ECHO Global Farm and so will involve significant time outside around the farm, seeing ideas and practice first hand.
Accommodation and Meals: This event is all inclusive. Your accommodation and food, provided at the ECHO Global Farm, will be included in your registration fee. Registration fee is $780 per person, with an early bird reduction available before Sept 29th and a spouse/group booking discount also available.
Travel costs: Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for all their own travel costs (including transfer to the Global Farm), insurance, visa costs etc.
Any questions? Check out the FAQs and email languageimpact@sil.org if you have any remaining queries.
Registration is now OPEN. To sign up, visit ECHO’s registration portal HERE.
EVENT NARRATIVE
To follow during the event.