| FEET ON THE GROUND The mix of adhering to core values (i.e., equality, collaboration, self-management) while having both feet on the ground and taking a practical economic approach shaped the pre-Israel rural communities more than anything else. While all rural communities obey economic constants, as if there is an alternative, few communities nurture core values to which they stick no matter what. With time, it became evident that the Kibbutz's core values rewarded its members with bounty and sustainable economic growth. Are core values “overweight” or an advantage to those imbracing them? The Israeli farming history provides an unequivocal answer: From 1850 to 1910, farmers focused on the professional aspects of farming to achieve economic prosperity. To this end, they reached out to acquire the most advanced technologies, knowledge, and production processing infrastructure and even received monthly wedges from philanthropists. Yet, they remained impoverished. In 1910, with the same or less access to funds or technologies, farmers who established the first Kibbutz embraced core values, which can also be viewed as “constraints”, yet their economic situation swiftly improved. Gender equality is part of the Kibbutz's broader view of equality as a core value. The Kibbutz education system, where children reside, interact, learn, and cultivate skills together round the clock from birth to 18, exemplifies a novel approach to age-old challenges. Such a solution couldn’t have happened if those pioneer farmers didn’t have and stick to their core values. Theories and reality have repeatedly shown that shared core values are essential for reaching and maintaining sustainable prosperity. Was it easy for the parents to have their children living and sleeping separately from them? Though they got used to it, they sometimes wished it was different, but it was a price they were happily ready to pay to keep their core values intact and see their community thrive and their dreams come true. RURAL COMMUNITY INNOVATION Economic constraints push us to change, but the direction of the change is determined by the core values we cherish and practice or their absence. Previous “rural community innovations” sought to conserve “the values of the past”, e.g., the Amish and monks practicing agriculture in monasteries. They survived and even thrived thanks to collaboration and cooperation. However, conservative approaches, longing for nostalgic past glories, offered little hope for farmers seeking proactive progress, change, and integration into the modern economy. The Kibbutz concept has thrived for over 100 years under three different administrations (i.e., Ottoman and British Empires, and the Israeli state) in varied environments (i.e., desert to snowing mountains), and energized by people originating from 70 countries, has proved its principles are global and timeless and can’t be accounted to technology, professional knowledge or financial support. You see, ideology mixed with practical economic constraints sculpted the Kibbutz society into how it turned and made it to the success it is known for. Ultimately, gender equality infused the Kibbutz with its distinctive essence, fueling its rapid ascent and accelerating the production of food, which was pivotal for rapid national population and economic growth. In return, the national establishment, who understood the potential inherent in Kibbutz communities, supported their fertile efforts to produce educated people who would serve the national cause more effectively. UNPRECEDENTED ACHIEVEMENT To get some perspective on the scale of achievement and added value the Kibbutz concept created, it is good to take a step back and look at the before-and-after macro agro sector state. During the first half of the 19th century, under the Ottoman Empire, in the territory of modern-day Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, 80% to 90% of the population(Arabs and Jews) lived in rural villages, versus 10% to 20% who lived in urban centers. Although most of the population was involved in food production, there was always a food shortage, poverty among most farmers, and occasionally hunger. Then, in 1910, the first Kibbutz appeared. Today, a mere 0.1% of Israel's populace engages in food production, which is export-oriented. Furthermore, 100% of Israeli farmers belong to the middle or high class, and no farmers suffer poverty or hunger. This contrasts with the countries surrounding Israel, where 30% to 60% of the population is involved in farming, and most farmers belong to the low-income class. Sixty-eight years after the Kibbutz where my father was born and 35 years after my parents established the Kibbutz where I was born, in 1983, I helped to establish a new Kibbutz. In this Kibbutz, the children lived with their parents from the very start. Today, having the children live and sleep together but separated from their parents is no longer necessary or a prerequisite to establishing a prosperous Kibbutz. Although the Kibbutz is remembered for its children’s boarding system, it was never part of its core values or principles. The core values and principles underpinning the creation of a flourishing Kibbutz community have remained steady for a century. The value of equality, in its broad sense, including gender equality, remains integral to this ethos and continues to be a pillar of the Kibbutz values. Furthermore, it made its way to the entire Israeli society and became its norm, e.g., women serving in the army. The narrative of Kibbutz history teaches us the pivotal importance of actively pursuing gender equality. Gender equality is not merely a moral imperative but also a pathway to tangible financial and social benefits. This approach empowers farmers to ascend into the national middle class, fostering economic growth and nurturing future generations. One of the things I am most proud of in my career is that Biofeed, a company I founded and led, won the Ministry of Economy Gender Equality Award. I walk the talk. How would you imagine the path and outcome of a successful agro-sector transformation in your country? Sign up to be part of The Nova Kibbutz Stewardship Community. If you enjoyed this column, please share it with a friend who will enjoy it too. ========================= Here are four ways you can work with me to help your rural communities step forward to shift from poverty into ongoing prosperity: * Consultancy on rural communities' models: Why, What, and How, e.g., based on the Kibbutz and Moshav lifestyle models. * Local & National programs related to agro-produce export models - Dream Valley global vertical value and supply chain business model and concept connects (a) input suppliers with farmers in developing economies and (b) those farmers with consumers in premium markets. * Crop protection: Biofeed, an eco-friendly zero-spray control technology and protocol solution, is most suitable for developing countries. * IBMA Conference - To learn, share, and practice novel business models: the IBMA 2025 conference theme is “Reshaping Agribusiness Models for Building Prosperous Rural Communities." Register now or contact me. TAKEAWAY MESSAGES » Core Values Provide Direction and Fuel Economic Development. » Embracing equality and collaboration amid economic constraints drives sustainable progress. » Gender Equality generates prosperity. » The Kibbutz children’s boarding system reflects an innovative approach to problem-solving. | 
