Kibbutz Neot Smadar
Kibbutz Neot Smadar, Arava Desert
An expansive, diversified bio-organic farm has been created at Neot Smadar, a kibbutz in the souther part of the Negev Mountain. Accompanying it is the frut-processing center, where various organic products are prepared exclusively from the local harvest and processed by kibbutz members and volunteers.
A variety of crops have been cultivated successfully in this desert environemt: vineyards for table grapes and for wine, olive groves as well as deciduous fruit trees such as apricot, nectarine, plum, apple, almond and more.
Neot Smadar has pioneered the use of the salt-water brine from the nearby desalination plants (known as residual water), taking what was formerly slated for the trash and creating a green belt surrounding the highway, growing plants that like the salty water, including Alfalfa for all their goats.
Their modern kibbutz–which was founded in 1989–has at its core the early principles of the kibbtuz movement. The kibbutz members emphasize the importace of sharing, and they swap family homes every five years or so to prevent attachment to material possessions. Moreover, they put intention into all of their building and design. Their structures are intelligently designed for the desert; they incorporate ancient knowledge to their crafts, including the use of air shafts in each building to cool the sttructures. Kibbtuz Neot Smadar approaches farming with the same deference towards local knowledge, having been “Organic” before the government even recognized it, inspired by the philosophy long before they knew of the term.
To learn more about Neot Smadar, see the Green Prophet review.
To reserve a tour of their fields or arts and crafts center, call 972-8-635-8111. See their website.
Neot Smadar’s Products:
Neot Smadar produces a wide-range or products, some of which we are not importing because they are perishable. However, their cheeses and fresh fruit juices are well worth the visit to this oasis in the Arava desert. Negev Nectars is currently importing a number of Neot Smadar products, all of which have been received quite well in the U.S. We hope to continue adding to the list. So far some of those products include:
Herbal Tea Blends
At Kibbutz Neot Smadar the kibbutzniks select the finest herbs from their organic paradise in the Arava and blend them together to create choice herbal tea blends. Negev Nectars is proud to be working with the kibbutznikim to provide different blends of herbal teas throughout the year. Our first shipment included an Herbal Tea blended with Lemon Verbena (Luiza), Lemongrass, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and sage. For our second shipment, because of the popularity of the first blend, we’ve kept the same blend as a base and have added Zoota (unique Negev herb) and Nana (spearmint).
Jam
We are bringing Apricot and Nectarine Jam from Neot Smadar that will be kosher for Passover.
Sesame-Date Delight
A smooth blend of dates and Tahini, the Sesame-Date Delight is incredible on its own or spread on a crackers or toast, with a swiss or goat cheese.
Pickled Sourya Olives
Pickled and brined Sourya olives with lemon rinds. The Sourya olive is an olive native to the Levant. Neot Smadar’s olives have a sharp, spicy flavor.
Dates
The most delicious dates, grown organically in the Arava desert.