Because of your support, planting is actively underway on the hilltop of Ayyir Hashachar in Israel—and it’s happening seed by seed.
Baruch Kogan is leading this work. Born in Russia, raised in the United States, and shaped by eight years in the U.S. military—including two tours in Iraq and agricultural reconstruction projects in Afghanistan—Baruch made aliyah to live on and restore the Land of Israel. Today, he is taking the lead on planting and land renewal on this hilltop.
What’s happening in the field
Baruch is planting across a 12-dunam (3-acre) site already prepared with mulch and drip irrigation. He is using seed balls, a proven permaculture method that protects seeds and gives them everything they need for their initial growth.
Each seed ball is made from clay and compost and contains six to fifteen seeds, including fig, pomegranate, carob, ziziphus spina-christi, and thornless prickly pear.
Using a marked chain with red indicators spaced every 50 centimeters, Baruch places each seed ball directly next to an irrigation dripper. This precision allows large areas to be planted quickly while ensuring every seed receives water and nutrients when the rains arrive.
“When the rain hits them, they’re going to sprout,” Baruch explains. “Everything those trees need for that first growth spurt is already there.”
Why planting in Israel matters
Trees secure the soil, anchor communities to the land, and turn vulnerable hilltops into living, rooted places. Every seed placed in the ground strengthens Jewish presence, restores land described in Scripture, and helps ensure that these hills are cultivated, protected, lived o, andnot abandoned.
This work connects past, present, and future: ancient land restored with modern methods, tended by people committed to living here for generations.
What comes next
Seed balls are already in the ground, and early seedlings are beginning to emerge. With this system, Baruch can plant thousands of seeds in a single rainy season. God willing, the goal is to place up to 10,000 seed balls by the end of the season, laying the groundwork for a diverse, resilient forest.
Thank you
This planting is happening because of you.
If you feel moved to continue supporting this work, your ongoing partnership helps ensure more seeds are planted, more land is restored, and this hilltop continues to come alive, season after season.
Thank you for standing with Baruch and for helping plant Israel’s future, one seed at a time.