Institute of Soil and Soul

08/31/2026

With Sukkot right around the corner, we welcomed North Shore Congregation Israel to the farm to explore the agricultural roots of one of Judaism’s great harvest festivals. 🌾🌿

Long before Sukkot became the holiday we know today, it was Chag HaAsif — the Festival of Ingathering — a celebration marking the gathering of the harvest at the end of the agricultural year.

The sukkah itself brings us back to those ancient agricultural rhythms: simple, temporary huts like those farmers would build near their fields during harvest season — places to rest, eat, gather, and remain close to the crops as the work of bringing in the harvest unfolded.

Standing together in the fields, these ancient traditions suddenly feel a little less distant.

Sukkot reminds us that Judaism was shaped not only in synagogues and study halls, but through seasons, harvests, soil, rain, and the experience of depending upon the land.

08/31/2026

This month’s Farm-to-Table Shabbat brought two traditions to one table!

For the month of Elul, we gathered on the farm for an evening of food, joy, reflection, and celebration — featuring a beautiful Oaxacan-Jewish menu created by Chef Ernesto Rodriguez.

Drawing from the flavors and traditions of Oaxaca and Jewish cuisine, Chef Ernesto created a meal that showed us what can happen when cultures meet with curiosity.

At the center of it all was the farm — food grown from the soil beneath our feet, harvested for the table, and shared in community.
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08/25/2026

08/12/2026

Farm School at Soil & Soul | Week 4: Integrated Pest, W**d & Disease Management

What if the pests aren’t actually the problem?
In regenerative agriculture, pests, weeds, and disease are often symptoms of greater imbalances within the farm ecosystem. Simply suppressing the symptom—whether through pesticides, herbicides, or other interventions—does little to address the conditions that allowed it to thrive in the first place.

The solution? Build a healthier ecosystem.
By increasing biodiversity, strengthening soil health, creating habitat for beneficial insects and predators, and working with natural ecological relationships, we can build farms that are more resilient and better able to regulate themselves.

The goal really isn’t a farm without pests. It’s a farm healthy enough to keep them in balance.

07/31/2026

Congratulations to our Founder and Executive Director, Gabe Gould, on being named one of JUF’s 36 Under 36 in Chicago!

What began as a vision for a Jewish regenerative farm has grown into a thriving community dedicated to nourishing both people and the land. Gabe’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping our educational programs, cultivating meaningful community partnerships, and building the farm from bare ground into a place where Jewish life, regenerative agriculture, and food justice come together.

Over the last three years, the Institute of Soil & Soul has:
🌱 Donated approximately 30,000 pounds of fresh, organically grown food, valued at more than $200,000
🥕 Reached more than 10,000 individuals across 4,500 families throughout the Chicago area
📚 Welcomed thousands of students to experience hands-on learning on the farm
🌾 Trained 30 emerging farmers in regenerative agriculture

This recognition reflects not only Gabe’s vision and dedication, but also the incredible community of supporters, volunteers, partners, educators, and donors who have helped make this work possible. Together, we’re demonstrating how local farms can address food insecurity, educate the next generation, and strengthen Jewish community from the ground up.

Congratulations, Gabe, on this well-deserved honor. Here’s to the next chapter of growing healthier people, healthier communities, and healthier land.

CommunityLeadership InstituteOfSoilAndSoul

07/30/2026

What will the future of our food system look like?

Farms don’t exist in isolation, like trees standing alone in a field. They’re part of a much larger community ecosystem.

If we want more people to have access to organic, chemical-free food grown in ways that regenerate the land rather than degrade it, we have to think beyond farming alone. Building resilient food systems means strengthening the relationships between farms, nonprofits, institutions, landowners, educators, donors, and neighbors. It means recognizing that healthy soil and healthy communities grow together.

Today, 1 in 5 Jewish households in Chicago experiences food insecurity. It’s a statistic that’s hard to believe, but it’s real. At the same time, there is underutilized land, untapped generosity, and dormant potential all around us. Landowners can steward their land differently. Communities can invest locally. Together, we can build food systems that nourish both people and the places they call home.

We’re deeply grateful to The Ark, JUF Chicago and all of its supporters for joining us at the Institute of Soil and Soul to celebrate our partnership and to explore the role local regenerative farms can play in transforming communities—from soil to soul.

07/28/2026

07/24/2026

The Manna Mobile is at Am Shalom every Friday from 9:30am-12:00pm! This is ONLY way members from the community can purchase our incredible edibles. Come wrap tefillin, kibbitz, and walk away with real, chemical-free food.

07/21/2026

Garlic harvest is underway!

Today we pulled our first garlic of the season, bringing in around 250 pounds. This crop has been in the ground since last November, when students from KAM Isaiah Israel joined us to help plant every clove. It’s always rewarding to see a project come full circle like this!

With the garlic now out of the ground, we’re turning the bed over quickly and planting 300 feet of beans that will be donated to our friends at The Ark. Onto the next!

07/19/2026

July on the farm.

It’s been a month of rain, heat, smoky skies, muddy boots, and growth! We’re heading into the busiest part of the season, and despite the weather keeping us on our toes, the spirit around the farm is high. The harvests are picking up, the fields are full, and there’s no place we’d rather be. Here’s to the long days ahead!