Students from the Adam VeAdama network of high schools, operated by the Hashomer Hachadash movement, are assisting some 400 Israeli farmers across the country this year, the network’s CEO Amit Meir said on the eve of Tu Bishvat. Meir marked the holiday together with hundreds of students, alumni, and staff, noting the network’s growing role in supporting Israeli agriculture during a challenging period.
The Adam VeAdama network currently operates seven agricultural boarding schools, stretching from Mitzpe Ramon in the Arava to the Golan Heights. This year, an additional branch was established in Yir’on in the Upper Galilee, with the aim of supporting farmers along the northern border with Lebanon.
Students follow a distinctive daily schedule: they rise before dawn and spend five hours each day working in agricultural fields, followed by academic studies toward their matriculation exams. Evenings are dedicated to IDF service preparation, alongside hikes across the country, educational journeys, and participation in national projects.
“Our students grow fruits and vegetables themselves and produce their own honey and olive oil,” Meir said. “They come from all parts of Israel, from kibbutzim, moshavim, villages, and cities, and we plan to open additional branches in the near future.” Yarden Gal, an 11th-grade student at Adam VeAdama, shared her experience: “During the war, I was looking for a school with meaning. I found Adam VeAdama and integrated very well. We wake up very early for agricultural work, study for our matriculation exams, and prepare for military service, all with a big smile and a strong desire to be part of something truly special.”
The Adam VeAdama network enrolls students from across the country. As part of Tu Bishvat celebrations, students showcased agricultural produce they grow and manufacture, some of which is already sold in locations across Israel.