Org. launches 'Northward' project to support farms in Israel's North
Farmers in the north have been lacking the agricultural manpower required to harvest orchards, work on vineyards, and perform other tasks.
The "Hiburim BaHachla'ut" (Connections in Agriculture) organization launched a project seeking to support the needs of agricultural workers in northern Israel and to renew the agricultural presence along the northern border, the organization said in a recent statement.
According to the organization, northern farmers have been returning to their border towns, but have been left without workers due to the evacuation of residents from northern Israel at the outbreak of Israel's war against Hezbollah.
This has led to farmers lacking the agricultural manpower needed to harvest orchards, work on vineyards, and perform other tasks, as there are not enough permanent farmers to sustain the region's agriculture.
"This is a national-strategic project which creates a real connection between young people and the land, significantly helps farmers, and strengthens the resilience of the communities in the northern border towns," Connections in Agriculture CEO, Berachia Rosenberg, stated.
"We are responding to a very significant need," she added.
Who are 'Connections in Agriculture'?
Connections in Agriculture has established mission groups of young adults in their 20s who live in the northern border communities, work in agriculture, and strengthen the recovering communities in the region. According to the organization, they provide a "unique blend of Zionism, social values, and working the land."The first group worked in Kiryat Shmona and included 14 young women from all over the country. These women got up at 4:30 a.m. daily to board a bus to agricultural fields in the border region, working until the afternoon, and then engaging in social and community activities, such as helping residents with tasks, local volunteering, and social activities, the organization added.
According to their website, they "assist hundreds of agricultural farms across the country with the help of thousands of volunteers throughout the year."
"Our vision is not only to rehabilitate agriculture but to rebuild the resilience of the communities in the border towns," Rosenberg added.
Connections in Agriculture are establishing additional groups, with one recently formed in Elrom, and another planned to form in Moshav Dovev, as well as other locations.
Statements from volunteers and farmers
"I felt I couldn’t sit in classes while there’s a war. The feeling that there’s a war going on outside and you want to take part really touched me, so I decided to pause my studies and work in agriculture in the north. For me, this is a mission — it’s my way to contribute," a group member said."I believe that while the soldiers fight for the territory against the enemy, we are fighting for the land itself, for agriculture, and for our borders. All of Israel’s envelope — north and south — needs our help," the volunteer stated.
"Many farmers say that all the manpower they had at the start of the war is already gone. Some even say they’re considering leaving agriculture if they don’t get workers. We have to understand that this is our land, and we’re the first Hebrew force on this land, in the hills of the Galilee," she added.
"These are mature and dedicated young women. They bring a fresh spirit. This could also develop into activities with children and community strengthening," he added, stating that there is a broad human contribution as well as productivity in the fields.
