Some 50 km to the north west of Majdal lies another estate owned by the proprietors of Majdal.  It is located in the upper Jordan valley below the ancient and beautiful city of Gedara (“Jadar”or “Um Qais” in Arabic).  Gedara is known, in addition to its classical amphitheatre and ruins all built in basaltic stone, and its association with Epicurean philosophy, for its hot springs, which are referred to in the Bible.  The farm itself is partly watered by one of those hot-springs and mainly from the Yamouk River, a tributary of the river Jordan which is located at 190 meters below sea level. 

In this semi-tropical mini-climate, the successful growing of Mediterranean type trees, such as olives, figs and grapes,  can be combined with other trees such as palm dates and citrus fruits.  The main varieties of citrus in the 300 acre farm are clementine, mandarin, Washington navel, Shammouti, blood orange, Valencia, lemon and new citrus hybrids.  In addition the farm has about a thousand date palm trees divided almost equally between the Medjool (sometimes known as the California date) and the Barhee varieties.  The farm is completely organic and the owners plan to use its citrus to create infused extra-virgin olive oil.

One of the advantages of growing dates in the upper Jordan valley is that, whilst almost elsewhere in the Middle East, where dates are grown, the fruit reaches the ripeness stage in July or August, in the northerly position of the farm, the dates reach the fresh date stage, i.e. the rutab stage, only in mid-September.  The dates are sold locally where they are in great demand, or in the Gulf countries where they appear on the market as fresh dates later than other dates.

The farm is run by Mr. Ibrahim who came from Darfur some twenty years ago.  Enquiries as to the sale of dates should be made to Mr. Asad Jyres, General Manager.