A Light Bulb Moment:

It was Chanukah 2012. A group of young Israeli social entrepreneurs and agriculturalists gathered to find a way to channel their passion for organic farming into a solution for vulnerable youth. They wanted to improve the lives of young people who struggled to adapt to conventional, indoor, adult-driven learning frameworks.

 

The Location:

An abandoned, rock-strewn patch of land in Beit Zayit, a moshav on the outskirts of Jerusalem.  Preparing the site required backbreaking work, as the land wasn't ready for us.  We, however, were ready for the land; ready to invest time and love into bringing it back from its centuries-long slumber. This involved removing boulders, weeds, and debris, loosening the soil for root growth, testing and adjusting the soil's pH and nutrient levels, and ensuring adequate drainage.

  

Our Roots Take Hold:

Within a few months, thanks to generous neighbors who donated the land, our committed founders, and a highly motivated team of volunteers, we planted our first crops and welcomed our first youth.

 

Today:

Kaima Beit Zayit encompasses 50 dunams (12 acres) of rich, fertile land. Our weekly yields feed 2,500 people, supplying our CSA customer base and providing vital vegetable donations to those in need. Today, we stand as the prototype for a growing social farming network that impacts thousands of vulnerable lives and enriches the general community.