CSA Palestine model farm
Boxes of organic vegetables ready to deliver in Palestine
Canaan Farm in Palestine sells weekly boxes of healthy organic food direct from the farm to local Palestinian families. This is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) that is feeding Palestine!
THE GOALS: To develop consumer organic awareness and establish a local organic market in Palestine, and to bring Palestinian farmers year round self sufficiency and a steady income. This means Food Sovereignty for Palestinians!
THE HISTORY: Traditionally – up till about 30 years ago - you could tell the season in Palestine by the fruits and vegetables in the market. Baladi (from Balad, country) in Palestine is food grown on rainwater with traditional knowledge. It uses natural fertilizers and has maximum flavor.
It has almost disappeared from Palestine markets. Instead, mass-produced Israeli produce, grown with pesticides and insecticides, has flooded the markets during the occupation.
THE PROJECT: Canaan Farm is a 2 acre organic model farm in Jalame village run with regenerative practices - cover crops, landrace seeds, no till, composting. The farm distributes weekly food boxes to local subscribers. Each box has 10 to 20 different vegetables according to what is at peak freshness. The farm has developed its own seed bank, makes its own compost, and has started to introduce schoolchildren to the meaning of organic and sustainable agriculture.
THE IMPACT: There are currently 5 paid workers at the organic model farm. 8 young farmers, who will be the next generation farming Palestine, are training on the farm. Three farmers are aiming to start their own organic farms! Farmers can supply produce to the farm boxes or learn how to set up their own CSA network of marketing and delivery.
Young farmers training at the organic model farm
LOCF is supporting Sponsorship grants for young farmers to establish one acre (4 dunom) organic farms. The candidate farmers have their land and greenhouse already. Our sponsorship grants support the necessary irrigation, preparing the soil, special organic tools, landrace seeds, and planning and training with CORE extension to launch their organic farm.
THE BENEFITS: Farmers get paid throughout the season and they get to know the people who eat the food they grow. Members eat ultra fresh organic food with flavor and nutrition benefits. There is a sense of community between members and farmers.
THE RESULTS: This is a simple idea with a profound impact. It includes all the regenerative agriculture, education and extension programs you already support. The result is long term food sovereignty for Palestine. Food Sovereignty means people have the right to healthy food, sustainably produced.
This global movement puts those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of their own food system. It helps people and the environment rather than making profits for big agriculture.
YOU CAN HELP: If you like the idea of bringing traditional baladi food back to Palestinians, please support the new CSA Palestine model farm and start young farmers on a regenerative future. Give tools and equipment to a new organic farmer.