Rooted in Faith: Growing Numbers of Jewish Farmers Revive Ancient Agrarian Traditions in the US

A growing movement of Jewish individuals across the United States is returning to agriculture, drawing inspiration from faith, cultural heritage, and values centered on land stewardship and community support. While comprehensive demographic data on religion is not tracked by the US Department of Agriculture’s farming census, networks and non-profit agricultural groups report a marked increase in first-generation Jewish farmers seeking purpose and connection through working the land.

Historical Context and Modern Revival

Agricultural roots run deep in Jewish history. Many major holidays, including the autumn harvest celebration of Sukkoth, are tied directly to the agricultural calendar. By 1933, organizations such as the Jewish Agricultural Society—chartered in 1900 to help eastern European immigrants resettle on US farmland—helped more than 100,000 Jews earn all or part of their living from agriculture. However, as the broader US population urbanized over subsequent decades, many Jewish families transitioned to cities and suburbs.

Today, a new generation is returning to rural environments. Shani Mink, co-founder of the Jewish Farmer Network, notes that her organization now serves approximately 1,800 farmers, offering educational classes, conferences, and farm-to-table gatherings. Modern participants range from independent smallholders to non-profit farming initiatives.

Diverse Expressions of Land Stewardship

Individual farmers and projects interpret their traditions in varied ways:

• Chutzpah Hollow Farm: Located in Tryon, North Carolina, Wendy Rhein launched a 10-acre farm at age 52 after previously working in Washington DC. Rhein practices pe’ah—a Talmudic concept requiring farmers to leave a portion of their harvest for the needy—by donating 10% of her production to a local food bank. She also utilizes a pig to manage food scraps, reflecting the principle of bal tashchit (limiting waste), though her choice remains a subject of debate among strictly kosher-observant consumers online.
• Ma’alot Farms: Run by Rabbis Shoshana and Philip Ohriner in Los Gatos, California, this 16-acre farm uses grant funding to cultivate diverse produce explicitly for food-insecure populations, including seniors and afterschool program participants, while emphasizing living wages and worker benefits.
• Adamah Farm: Based at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut, this 20-acre non-profit operates a community-supported agriculture (CSA) model and runs a three-month fellowship that trains young adults in ecological and agricultural practices.
• Ekar Farm: Situated at an eldercare community in Aurora, Colorado, executive director Jason Plotkin oversees intergenerational gardening programs that donate approximately 20,000 pounds of organic produce annually to refugee and Indigenous-led organizations.
• Robariah Farms and Migrash Farm: Producers like Robbie Friedman in Massachusetts focus on pasture-raised kosher poultry utilizing regenerative methods, while Ian Yosef Hertzmark in Maryland specializes in ancient grains planted seasonally to align with traditional dietary laws regarding new and old crops.

Practical Implications and Reader Verification

The rising interest in Jewishly inspired agriculture highlights broader trends in sustainable food systems, localized distribution, and faith-based community service. While some operations focus on commercial meat or produce delivery, many function as non-profits centered on charitable giving (tzedakah) and environmental education.

Readers seeking to verify these details, explore agricultural fellowships, or learn more about the broader movement can consult the official interactive feature published by The Guardian at https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2026/oct/22/jewish-farmers-tradition-agriculture.