holidays, dining (three meals a day conducted in the commune dining room give the community more relaxed time to spend together) and more. Yotvata Dairy is a milk products factory which provides the kibbutz with its main source of income and occupies the highest number of members. Agriculture ranks second in terms of income but perhaps first in importance to the community character and pride. Agriculture branches are irrigated land (onions, potatoes, corn, animal feed, garlic and pumpkins), plantations (dates and mangos) and a big and modern dairy farm. There is also a big road stop shop on the Arabah Road that provides refreshments for travelers. Other small branches are a picturesque horse stable that lies in the date plantation east to the kibbutz and a few artistic studios. All members take turns contributing to the kibbutz service branches: kitchen, dining room, laundry, and security. The kibbutz gets all its drinking and irrigation water from aquifer wells in the Arabah valley. Attractions Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve is dedicated to reintroducing extinct species mentioned in the Bible, as well as other endangered desert animals, to the wild. It has three parts: a park for herbivorous animals; a Predators Center that displays reptiles, small desert animals and large predators; and the Desert Night Life Exhibition Hall to observe nocturnal animals during their active hours. 15 km south of Yotvata lies Timna valley, where the sandstone and calcareous rock formations present some breathtaking desert features such as the Solomon's Pillars, Mushrooms, Arches and more. Timna is also known for its ancient copper mines. The area provides many great desert walks including canyons, roman routes, sand dunes, fossil hunting, rock-climbing and more. References External links Official website Kibbutzim Kibbutz Movement Nahal settlements Populated places in Southern District (Israel) Populated places established in 1951 1951 establishments in Israel