Shortly before the onset of the Shmittah year, the Keren haShmittah administration convened for another session prior to the upcoming year with the members who are full partners with the organization's activities to date regarding mapping the farms that will join the project and the logistics of the imminent Shmittah year itself.
The members of the administration, representatives of gedolei Yisrael, heard a comprehensive assessment regarding the many activities already underway throughout the country these past few months and were briefed on the various projects embarked upon as proposed by the rabbonim of the Beis Din of the Keren Hashevi'is.
Chairman of the Foundation, Rabbi Ben Zion Kugler, presented to the administration the data which has come in from the fields in question as reported by the coordinators, noting that to date, some 3000 farmers have already joined up, a figure 20% higher than 5768, seven years ago. The land involved will come to some 300,000 dunam (75,000 acres), with more farmers joining their giborei koach brothers who are committed to keeping Shmittah kehilchasah.
An innovative program setup was presented at this meeting for satellite supervision of all the agricultural lands being laid fallow with the purpose of keeping strict tabs on the execution to ascertain that the money donated for this objective be used efficiently and properly. The members discussed criteria for receiving financial support, as determined by the rabbonim, heads of the Keren.
