The northern Negev is full of expansive agricultural fields, and at this time of year, the wildflowers are at their peak. On the Salad Trail, agronomist Uri Alon guides visitors along a series of advanced agricultural initiatives. Stops include a tomato hothouse at Moshav Mivtahim, full of hundreds of cherry tomato varieties; a kumquat orchard; a strawberry hothouse; and more. Alon also nurtures competitive carrier pigeons, one of which carries a bamboo whistle to ward off hawks. Visitors are invited to write a wish on a slip of paper and attach it to a pigeon's leg. The price: NIS 40 per person, including tastings, for 25-30 person tours. For details: (08) 998-2225.

Kibbutz Kissufim offers a tour of its fields. Visitors start by squeezing pink grapefruit and harvesting fruit at its citrus orchard, and then go to see the kibbutz's root vegetables and avocado trees. The tour also passes through the cowshed and the kibbutz yard. It is about 90 minutes long and costs NIS 10 for adults and NIS 5 for children. For details: (08) 992-8777.

The Naama Farm was established by Baruch (Buki) Adiri about 20 years ago. A few years ago he was joined by DanDan Boulitin, who established a wild animal hospital and refuge there. Visitors can milk sheep, nurse lambs, make cheese, bake pitas in a traditional taboun oven and ride in a tractor trailer to the badlands of Nahal Garar. NIS 28. For details: (08) 993-4205. Closed on the Sabbath.

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Winter is the most pleasant time to visit the southern Arava, also known as the Red Valley. Kibbutz Eilot offers tours of its fields, which include seasonal crops like onions, peppers and dates. Afterward, at the Ein Evrona farm, visitors can observe migratory birds and pools with flamingoes. The tour, in private vehicles or by bus, must be coordinated in advance. Groups of 10, NIS 20 per person. For details: 1-700-703-710.

Pundak Yotvata has initiated a tour around the kibbutz that includes a visit to the regional experimental agriculture station and explanations about new crops adapted to the desert climate. After that, guests see the date grove adjacent to the Jordanian border, observe the new irrigation method for field crops, and visit the stables, the cowshed and the Yotvata Dairy. The tour is offered every Friday at 9:30 A.M., and costs NIS 75. Hotel guests receive a discount. For details: (08) 635-6658.

Kibbutz Yahel lets visitors participate in the pomelo harvest. The grove is adjacent to the Jordanian border fence. NIS 15 per person. For details: (08) 635-7967/8.

The North

At the Kinneret, visitors can take a fishing tour from Kibbutz Ein Gev's wharf. The tour sets out every Saturday at 2 P.M. on a boat equipped with radar and a large net. Schools of fish are found by radar, then netted. The small fish are released, and the others are transferred to a transport boat. Participants get any sardines caught during the trip. The trip depends on weather conditions. NIS 40 for adults, NIS 30 for children. For details: (04) 665-8008.

At Dag Bakfar in Moshava Yokneam, visitors can build bamboo rafts and mud tabouns, cook in the fields and bake pita. Other activities include fishing, crafts for children and golf-cart rentals for touring the terrain. About NIS 50 per person. Fishing and crafts: NIS 26 per person.

The Zitterspieler family's Derech Hatavlinim Farm is located in Bethlehem Haglili. There they grow spices and medicinal plants, including verbena, sage, hyssop, oregano, lavender, paprika, saffron and more. Lectures are offered at the visitors' center. For details: (04) 953-3405.

Vradim Ve'od is a rose greenhouse at Moshav Hayogev. There visitors can watch employees tending to the plants, sorting, packing and creating bouquets. Short tours of the ecological hothouses are offered for free. For details: (04) 959-0501.

The Johndeereland World of Tractors museum was inaugurated recently at Kfar Tavor. There, visitors can find its large collection of tractors and agricultural machinery from the John Deere company, a combine suspended in midair, an interactive film that simulates a ride through the fields, a seven-meter slide into a pool of cotton, activities for children and more. NIS 37 per person or NIS 120 per family. For details: (04) 677-2560 or 70.