THIS IS THE SABBATICAL YEAR IN ISRAEL: Israeli farmers observe biblical sabbatical - with a wink and a nudge (Daniel Estrin, AP). Briefly, in order to keep farming so the country can eat, most of the farmers have sold their farms (short term) to a guy named George. Really. Alternatively, hydroponics can be involved.
The relevant biblical precept for the sabbatical year is found in Leviticus 25:1-7.
