We ventured down south to Wadi Mashash, an experimental farm operated by researchers from Ben-Gurion University. The farm is located a few kilometers from the Negev Junction.

 

The research done at the farm is very unique -- all of the agricultural production there is supported through the harvesting of rainfall runoff. No irrigation has ever been used there. We were joined by Pedro Berliner, an emeritus faculty member from the Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, who has carried out many research projects at Wadi Mashash. 

 

Pedro spoke to us about the history of the farm, the reasons it was established, and the different techniques that they have experimented with. We toured some of the sites, which rely on channeling flood waters, and observed the amazing tree growth that they have been able to sustain in an area where that would otherwise be impossible. 

 

Afterwards, we sat in the shade and enjoyed a nice picnic.