“It’s hard to find a group of farmers as brave, hardworking, creative, curious, and diverse as the members of Kibbutz Neot Semadar,” says farmer Michal Havivian. “This southern kibbutz is involved in a wide range of activities, and cultivating fruit orchards in the harsh desert climate of the Arava is one of their boldest endeavors. In addition to growing vegetables for their own dining hall, the surplus from their orchards is distributed throughout the country.” 

The orchards of Neot Semadar thrive due to the kibbutz’s elevation and the cold temperatures during the winter. The bio-organic growing conditions, combined with the saline soil and the grassy fields that surround the trees, enrich the soil and give the fruit its juicy texture and wonderful sweetness. The fruit is picked by hand by all of the members of the kibbutz. At the kibbutz’s processing center, nothing goes to waste — every part of the fruit is used to produce juice, cider, wine, energy bars, date molasses, spreads, olive oil, dried fruits, and even skincare products. This creates a complete cycle of cultivation, production, and marketing. The kibbutz also raises goats, and uses their milk to produce yogurt and some of the finest organic cheeses in the country.

A shop selling products at an inn, Photo: Noam Prisman

The produce from Neot Semadar can be found at organic food stores, or you can stop by the kibbutz’s inn on the way to Eilat. For the complete experience, consider staying a night or two in the enchanting guest houses.