this product and works with companies such as John Deere. It has factories in three countries with a total number of 1600 employees. In the factory the employees and executives who are residents of the kibbutz all earn the same, while non-kibbutz residents who are employed in the factory earn according to their work. Various services have developed in the kibbutz; some of them are operated privately by the kibbutz members, such as the "IDEA Information System", which provides software for 70% of the museums in Israel, including Yad Vashem. In 2019 the kibbutz finalized a deal with the kibbutzim of Evron and Sa'ar to buy a quarter of their share of a company called Bermad, estimated to be worth around 450 million NIS. The company manufactures water control products that are provided to over 70 other companies, with annual revenue of half a billion NIS, employing around 700 workers. Demographics According to the 2008 census, 22% of the residents were under 17 years of age, 64% between 18 and 64, and 14% were over 65. The median age was 30. The number of residents born abroad decreased from 32.8% in 1972 to 20.9%. Out of these, 41.5% immigrated until 1960, 21.3% immigrated between 1961 and 1989, 24.7% between 1990 and 2001, and the remaining 12.5% after 2002. The average number of children born per woman decreased from 2.5 in 1972 to 1.7. 41.4% of the residents older than 15 worked in manufacturing, 16.4% in education, 11.6% in agriculture, 7.9% in community, social, personal and other services, and 5.4% in real estate, renting and business activities. 9.8% of the residents older than 15 worked outside of the locality. Mishmar HaEmek has a secular Jewish community. Education Early childhood education is provided at Mishmar HaEmek. The children of the kibbutz study in an elementary school in HaZore'a and then continue to Megiddo Secondary School near Ein HaShofet. Until the 1990s, students in grades 7-12 attended Shomeria secondary school. The complex of the Shomeria School continued to serve the kibbutz for informal education, and following a renovation it now houses offices and a library. Landmarks The Palmach Cave is located on the outskirts of the kibbutz, near the forest. It was used by the Palmach unit of the Jewish militia during the Intercommunal conflict in Mandatory Palestine. The cave was chosen by the Palmach upon its establishment in 1941, as a training