OUR FARMING PROGRAMS
We support farming for a sustainable future. The farms all engage in organic farming and support native and heirloom seed. Some of the things you’ll find on our farms include:
- Upcycling and recycling techniques.
- Organic fruit, vegetable and herb farming.
- Produce processing for market – pickling products, relishes and preserves.
- Animal farming including goats, sheep and chicken.
- Milk product production including cheese, yogurts, etc. ready for market.
- Irrigation techniques that conserve water.
- Conservation techniques that limit energy use.
- Bee keeping – production of honey for market.
- Composting and organic support systems.
Each of the four farms is strongly specialized in an area. Each has developed a strong suit and met the challenges of sustainable farming in different ways.
The Al-Bireh farm is a fully active farm with fig, olive and almond trees abounding. It includes an animal farm and has a line of cheeses and milk products they produce. They actively teach young people how to plant and the history of the flora and fauna native to the area. It is a large farm with a natural water spring on the property that visitors can hike to. The farm brings in community to engage on the merits of organic farming and the evening festivities include food and merriment. The cheese they produce is coveted in the area and it is difficult to keep up with demand.
The Jericho farm is a family owned farm and you’ll often find all the family members working full days. The farm successfully grows produce from which they make a line of pickles and relishes. They successfully market their products outside of Jericho. This farm has built a thriving business from marketing the specialty items. The climate of Jericho allows for year-round farming and is home to some of the best dates in the world. Meals prepared from the land are offered every day.
The Bethlehem farm is surround by 4 large settlements and manages to subsist as a completely independent entity using solar power and cisterns for water. Their farm offers a host of products including almonds, olives, figs. This farm also supports a vineyard and a small gift store sells their products. Fascinating environmentally safe methodologies are applied on this farm. One will find compost toilets, cave dwellings, a children’s summer program and an outdoor chapel. This is the largest of the 4 farms and covers 150 acres. The intricate system of caves has been modified and is used for facilities that serve as sleeping quarters for those who work on the farm. Recycling and upcycling methods are used throughout the farm.
The Bil’in farm represents a communal farm style and serves as a co-op for 26 families who eat from the farm year around. They have naturally fed (not sugar water fed) bee hives that deliver delicious honey for market. Young people are brought in to learn about organic and sustenance farming and the challenges to the Palestinian farming community.
This farm represents community supported agriculture that produces organic and seasonal vegetable for small families. They aim to provide healthy and organic food and to support the farmer by connecting the farmer and the consumer together through this model. They also act as an educational center to train and teach Palestinians about natural farming and managing small scale organic farms. The focus is on producing rather than consuming and on building a self-sufficient model.