Farming Tribe
Roles and Descriptions

The Farming Tribe is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining an agricultural and aquaponics program that will produce a wide variety of food resources for our facilities and the public, create visually pleasing green space both inside and outside all our facilities, and train Sojourners so that they can pursue a career in a related field.  The pursuit of non-conventional methods for raising crops and animals is critical to being ahead of the curve in the field while using the fewest amounts of chemicals and encouraging free-range animal production.  The aquaculture program is conducive to the area, striving to be the frontrunner instead of a follower in this extraordinary field.

The Farming Tribe is structured as follows:

Shebaniah Barn (sheh buh ni' uh) is a name appearing in short and long form in Hebrew meaning, “Yahweh came near.” It is the headquarters of the Farming Tribe with the Farming Minister, Scribe, Temple Keeper, and Clerks operating from here.  There are three labor divisions; Herdsmen, Laborers, and Tillers, each having specific assignments and duties related to the various projects the Tribe is involved in.  Farming and horticultural classroom space and instructors are located here. The classrooms provide training and hands-on experience in farming and home gardening basics as well as more advanced courses.  The Zookeeper cares for and maintains the aquariums and displays of birds (such as African Gray Parrots), reptiles, and small animals throughout our facilities also is headquartered at the Shebaniah Barn.  
 

Plowman’s Cookhouse Plowman was another name for a farmer, in general (1 Sam 13:20-21; Isa 2:4).  A cookhouse is a building or place for cooking, especially a camp kitchen. It is a place for those visiting the Tribe and staff to meet, take a break, and/or share a meal.

The Farming Tribe is divided into the following labor divisions:
 

Herdsmen: Closely akin to the shepherd was the herdsman (Gen 4:20). Jabal is described as one “having cattle.” (Isa 28:24; Jer: 14:4; Mt 13:3; Mk 12:1; James 5:7) The only distinction that might be made between a shepherd and herdsman is in their charges: the shepherd, sheep; the herdsman, cattle.   We have lumped the two together, and our Herdsmen are those who work with the animals. These individuals, led by the Head Herdsman, raise and care for the variety of animals residing at our facilities.  These animals are used for training and education, and many times as a food resource.  
 

Laborers: To the Hebrews, the terms “grain” and “corn” included almost every object of field culture.  The farmers cultivated miller, spelt, various species of beans and peas, pepperwort, cumin, cucumbers, melons, flax, and perhaps cotton.  Farming was practiced by Cain, Noah, Elisha, David, Uzziah, and Solomon.  Farmers were also called laborers, and they were subject to certain laws (Isa 28:24; Jer 14:4; Mt 13:3; Mk 12:1; and James 5:7). The manpower for the Farming Tribe is the Laborers, led by the Head Laborer.  The Laborers are responsible for doing chores and assisting in the upkeep of all garden and landscape areas at our facilities.  Weeding, watering, feeding, cleaning, mending, and assisting in animal processing and crop harvesting are included in their areas of responsibility.
 

Tillers: Tillage is a KJV term that appears as the translation of two different Hebrew words  Nı̂r is translated “tillage” in the KJV of Proverbs 13:23 (“fallow ground,” NASB, NKJV; “field,” NIV). The Hebrew term also appears elsewhere; see Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12, where nı̂r appears as both a noun (“fallow ground”) and a verb (“break up”).  The other word,  ‛ăbôdâ is not always translated “tillage.” It refers to labor or service, either as servile labor (Lev 25:39); work, or business (1 Chron 9:19); or work of the field, agriculture (Neh 10:37; 1 Chron 27:26; both “tillage,” KJV; the NKJV reads “farming communities” and “work of the field,” respectively; NIV, “towns where we work” and “who farmed the land,” respectively).  These individuals, led by the

Head Tiller, cultivate the food crops and the green spaces at our facilities.  Horticulture students will work with the Tillers on designing, planting, and maintaining indoor and outdoor green spaces such as Ruth’s Enhaddah and the Engannim Nooks.  The students also coordinate the Adopt-a-Plant Program and the sale of plants and flowers to the public.
 

Archippus Stable (är kĭp’ əs) master of the horse. It is generally assumed that Archippus was the son, or possibly brother, of Philemon. “Our fellow soldier” indicates his aggressive participation in the Christian warfare. The Stable is intended as a future project should space be available, purposed to raising, training, and caring for horses and donkeys for riding by security, Sojourners, and the public.
 

Beth Eked (bĕth e’ kĭd)a place mentioned only in 2 Kings 10:12, 14, and reads, “shearing house.” and is responsible for humanely butchering and processing all living creatures being used for consumption, as well as the recycling and repurposing of all related waste.  The public can purchase products not being used by our facilities at Beth Eked.  The Agriculture Inspector has offices here.

Beth Haggan (Behth-hag' gan) is the name of a place meaning “house of the garden.” Beth Haggan has multiple greenhouses which are the starting point for the many plants, flowers, and crops grown at our facilities. Experimental gardening techniques are also on-going in the greenhouses. The Adopt a Plant Program for staff and Sojourners is run from here as well.
 

Beth Hakkerem (Behth-hak' ke rehm) means “house of the vineyard“ and is responsible for raising herbs, vegetables, and plants for landscaping areas including our rooftop “Sky Gardens.”  Gardening in the Bible illustrates security of the church (S of S 4.12), spiritual prosperity of the church (Isaiah 58.11; Jeremiah 31.12), and when dried up, the wicked (Isaiah 1.30).  Crops include (but are not limited to):  artichokes, beans, berries, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, herbs/spices, jicama, melons, peas, peppers, potatoes, spinach, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatillos, and tomatoes.  It could also include Viticulture, which is the growing of grapes.  Beth Hakkerem manages the Fungi Farm, growing and cultivating mushrooms.  It also experiments with and develops several authentic “Native Flower and Plant Gardens.”
 

Elzabad Atrium (ehl zay' bad) is a name that means, “God made a gift.” from Lev 10:4; 1 Chronicles 12:12; 2 Chron 29:13; Is 58:11; Jer 31:12. An atrium is a large open space within a building, often featuring a glass roof. The Elzabad Atrium is operated and maintained by the Farming Tribe.  It is a quiet getaway spot for staff.  Lavish plantings and hedges with fountains and pools, covered shaded areas, an Old Mill and water wheel – the courtyard provides a foot-soaking area.  This is a “Do Not Disturb” zone where staff can go at any hour to relax, refresh, and have a quiet time with the Lord.  
 

Groves in Genesis 21:33, a tree planted in Beersheba by Abraham was a grove. More than likely it was a tamarisk. Our Groves will be orchards of everything that can be grown – apples, peaches, plums, pears, nuts, and olives.
 

Threshing Floor the Hebrew, gōren, “even”.  A level and hard-beaten plot in the open air (Judg 6:37; 2 Sam 6:6), on which sheaves of grain were threshed (Isa 21:10; Jer 51:33; Micah 4:12; Mt 3:12). The floor is where all our animal feed crops are grown.
 

Creatures of the Ark most people have heard about Noah, who built an Ark (a water vessel) under God’s direction to save Noah, his family, and representatives of all animal life from the flood that destroyed everything else living on the earth.  As such, the ark became both a symbol of faith on the part of Noah and a symbol of grace on the part of God (Gen 6:8, 22).  The goal of Creatures of the Ark is to raise breeds of animals associated with the birth of Christ that resemble closely what those animals were like as well as animals for educational purposes to show how God has a purpose for every creature He created.  The Creatures will be featured in a variety of displays throughout the year.  
 

The Shem, Ham & Japheth Rectory is named for the sons of Noah, (Gen 5:9; 7:6-7; 9:18, 24; 10:2,21-22; 11:10-11; 14:13) who joined him on the ark during the great flood.  A rectory is a rector or parish priest’s house provided by the church. Th Rectory provides housing for those Herdsmen who must keep constant watch over the Creatures.  Some of the creatures include:
 

Bee’s Bunkhouse Bees contribute to biodiversity and make our environment attractive. These insects promote the growth of many different species of plants, flowers, and trees, contributing towards a vibrant ecosystem that sustains other insects, birds, and mammals. We have beehives (the Bunkhouses) placed strategically throughout our facilities to promote proper pollination of our many plants and vegetables, as well as to produce delicious honey and beeswax.
 

The Camel’s Tent houses our Camel family, while the donkeys reside at the Donkey Dorm. Vincent Van Goat Hut has our goats staying there. The Ox Shelter has the ox, and the peacocks live in the Peacock Pen, while the sheep reside at the Sheep Shed.  Ducks are at the Duck Pond.  
 

We have a large area dedicated to raising all kinds of reptiles, known as the Reptilian Arboretum.
 

Really Big Bird Ranch raises ostrich and turkeys for consumption.  Ostriches take less space than cattle, have fantastic meat, and every single part of the ostrich is usable somewhere for something:  food, decorating or fertilizer. The Ranch also raises turkey for consumption.  Waste goes to Dung Hill and is turned into fertilizer.
 

Worm Farm is a Vermiculture program that operates in conjunction with Dung Hill. The farm serves two purposes; first the lowly little worms reduce our garbage down to very usable fertilizer to put on our many gardens.  Second, the little worms grow up while working in the garbage into big fat juicy worms that the fishermen just love to buy for their hooks.  
 

Creatures also raise a variety of stock for food consumption.  In addition to the goats, sheep, ducks, turkeys, and ostrich, they raise chickens at the Chick Inn.

An educational center called the Mt Ararat Base is open to the public to see and learn about the various creatures we are raising and the techniques we are using.
 

Zebedee’s Bethsaida (Zehb' e dee) meaning, “gift.” A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee and father of James and John, two of Jesus’ first disciples (Mk 1:19-20), Zebedee ran a considerable fishing business which included several hired servants, Simon Peter, and Andrew (Lk 5:10).  His wife, Mary, also followed Jesus and ministered to Him (Mk 15:40-41). (Behth say' ih duh) means, “house of fish.” The home of Andrew, Peter, and Philip (John 1:44; 12:21), located on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee. This is the aquaculture/aquaponics program that raises fish for consumption while using the aeration of the water to grow a variety of plants and vegetables.  Aquaculture, or Hydroponics, is the growing science of cultivating plants in water with dissolved inorganic materials instead of soil.  Inorganic material is neither organic life nor the product of organic life.  Aquaculture, using fish in the water, uses organic fertilizers and mulches consisting only of animal or vegetable matter with no use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.  By combining the two, there is the ability to raise vegetables above tanks of fish, using the water for the plants and the nutrients for the fish.  Zebedee’s is operated and maintained by Fishermen.  
 

Species currently able to be raised include Bluegill/Brim, Carp, Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Mangrove Snapper, Mullet, Perch (Silver, Golden, Yellow), Salmon, Sunfish, Tambaqui (Giant Pacu), Tilapia, and Trout.  Shellfish include Mussels, Oysters, Pearl Oysters, and Shrimp. Each system can produce approximately 5,000 pounds of a species per year.  
 

Crop production is about 72,000 heads of lettuce per system with the following crops able to be raised in a system: Aloe, banana, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, edible flowers, green onion, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lemons, lettuce, limes, oranges, peas, peppers, pomegranate, radishes, sunflowers, Swiss chard, and tomatoes.  
 

Zebedee's Bethsaida also operates a Trout Pond for consumable trout, and for public fishing fun.
 

Sea of Galilee Fish Factory (Gal' ih leeee) means, “circle.” In the first century the sea of Galilee was of major commercial significance. Fish was a major food in the area, and the fishing industry flourished because there was no other significant freshwater lake in the region.  A fish factory is another name for fish processing. Our Fish Factory processes all our fish for consumption, smoking fish and producing some very delicious food products for use at our facilities and for sale to the public.
 

Piscatorial Place (piskəˈtôrēəl) is of or concerning fishing and is an educational center open to the public where they can learn more about the world of aquaponics and aquaculture. It is where we are able to show off the inroads and innovations we are using in the aquaponics/aquaculture fields.