From Field to Future: Agriculture, Education, and Industry Come Together

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration in Israel, WIZO youth villages in the north have partnered with Strauss to create an innovative educational program connecting agriculture, industry, and hands-on learning.

As part of the initiative, students from grades 7 to 12 at WIZO Nir HaEmek and WIZO Nahalal cultivated approximately 40 dunams of chickpeas, which are now integrated into the production process of Strauss’s “Achla” hummus products.

Throughout the year, students take part in every stage of the process, from sowing and fieldwork to agricultural observation, experimentation, and harvest. The program combines agriculture, biology, and practical learning, creating a meaningful educational experience that connects theory with real-world application.

Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including youth from urban and rural communities as well as Na’ale students who immigrated to Israel without their families. For many, the agricultural environment serves not only as a learning space but also as a therapeutic one, offering connection to the land, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to develop practical skills.

While the current scale of production is still modest, the long-term vision is to expand the program to additional youth villages, strengthening both agricultural education and local industry.

This collaboration reflects a broader approach to education, one that connects students to responsibility, innovation, and future opportunity, while reinforcing the role of youth villages as spaces for growth, resilience, and impact.