Progress 06/01/04 to 05/31/08
Outputs
The Ohio-Israel Agriculture Initiative (henceforth The Initiative) USDA funded project began in June of 2004 as a unique program to strengthen the agricultural connections between Ohio and Israel's farmers, trade organizations, businessmen, researchers, and educational and government entities. The project, a one-of-a-kind endeavor, was advised by a binational committee made up of Ohio Department of Agriculture officials including former director Fred Dailey, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, development specialists, agrobusiness leaders, other agriculture experts, and Negev Foundation staff. As stated in the Initiative's original proposal, the goals of the program included: 'increase agricultural ties between Ohio and Israel;' 'develop joint R&D activities;' 'foster trade;' establish an active and meaningful relationship between representatives of the Ohio and Israeli agriculture, agricultural research and agri-business sectors;' 'identify new agriculture-related opportunities;' 'identify and introduce potential investors to agricultural innovators in both regions;' 'expand market access in both regions;' and 'identify specific agriculture exchange, technology transfer and other opportunities.' To determine the best methods to address these objectives, the Initiative conducted studies to determine the most efficient areas to focus on in terms of fostering trade, facilitating communication between Israeli and Ohio agricultural stakeholders, promoting technology transfers, organizing student internships, and funding R&D projects. At the conclusion of this reporting period, the Initiative produced verifiable outcomes in terms of achieving its goals. The Initiative was especially effective at meetings its goals of fostering trade, technology transfers & collaborations, internships, and international research projects. Many trade projects were conceived, developed, or facilitated that resulted in the export of more than 5 million dollars worth of agricultural goods from Ohio to Israel to date. Four binational research projects were funded that increased the understanding of compost microbiology as it relates to plant disease suppression, the extraction of soy Saponins, cattle genetics, and Israeli greenhouse technology feasibility in Ohio. One highlight from these projects is that the soy Saponins research led to additional research funding from BARD (Bi-National Agriculture Research and Development) and a business collaboration with a technology company. Over the past four years, the Initiative has participated in 18 tradeshows, exhibitions, and annual agriculture conferences in Ohio and Israel; organized 26 mission trips to both countries; arranged for nine joint informational workshops; and sponsored an internship exchange program for seven aquaculture students from Hocking College (Nelsonville, OH) to work at Israeli fisheries. These events developed cooperative business arrangements, technology exchanges, and research efforts between stakeholders from both countries in an effort to meet the Initiative's ambitious goals. PRODUCTS: The Initiative organized two aquaculture workshops for the Ohio Aquaculture Association (OAA) in July of 2004 at The Ohio State University (OSU). At these workshops, an Israeli inventor explained conservation technology that recirculates water in aquatic systems. In November of 2006, the Initiative organized two Kosher Food Certification and Marketing workshops in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. Three kosher certification and marketing experts gave educational presentations to twenty-nine participants including food company representatives and members of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. They learned certification requirements, expected costs, and kosher marketing strategies. Since then, one participating company has become kosher certified and two other companies are in the process. Another three companies not in attendance contacted the Initiative for kosher certification information. The Initiative represented seventeen Ohio food companies at the Israfood-Hotex Food and Beverage Exhibition in Tel-Aviv (2004, 2005) and Israeli agrobusinesses at the Ohio State University's Farm Science Review (2004-2008). Agriculture experts and marketing representatives showcased irrigation, fertilizer, greenhouse, dairy, poultry, aquaculture, and other agri-technologies or products. The Israeli Export Institute and various trade organizations were also represented. From 2005 through 2007 the Initiative also participated in the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and OAA annual meetings by sponsoring informational booths. For these events, the Initiative produced materials including displays, videos, and brochures describing the Initiative's work. The Initiative also produced materials to attract companies to these events. For example, flyers and mailings were distributed to Ohio companies informing them of the Israfood exhibition and how they could get involved through the Initiative. The Initiative also produced materials to recruit Ohio companies for two other Israeli events (American Month and Blue Square's Health Food Month). The initiative organized 26 missions for agriculture stakeholders from both Israel and Ohio. These educational and trade tours have brought farmers, researchers, academics, businessmen, and government officials together to discuss the issues important to both Ohio and Israel's agriculture industries. Delegation participants toured state-of-the-art agriculture facilities, experienced innovative technology, met their respective industry counterparts, and participated in international tradeshows. Mission trips to Israel include: Agribusiness/Trade (May 2006), Agriculture and Farmers (February 2006; February 2007; February 2008), Aquaculture (December 2005), Beef Industry (February 2004; September 2005; November 2006), Dairy Industry (May 2008), and Greenhouse Industry (March 2008). Mission trips to Ohio include: Agribusiness/Trade (July 2007; January 2008), Aquaculture (August 2006) Dairy Industry (November 2007, June 2008; August 2008), Beef Industry (April 2005; June 2005; January 2006; July 2006; March 2007; May 2007), Greenhouse Industry (April 2008), Rural Development (September 2007; January 2008), and Water Management (November 2007). OUTCOMES: The Initiative was involved in the exporting from Ohio to Israel of almond cookies, cereal, green coffee, organic spelt, and soybeans resulting in over $5 million worth of trade. The initiative hopes to facilitate the import of automatic nursing stations for calves from Israel. The initiative worked towards the export of beef, wines, feeder calves, gardening machinery, hardwood, honey, petfood, popcorn, and horses from Ohio to Israel and the import of Israeli onsite dairy processing systems to Ohio. The Initiative helped stakeholders establish contacts within both countries which may lead to future trade. Seven students from an Aquaculture program at Hocking College (Nelsonville, Ohio) interned at high-tech fisheries in Israel. Students worked with various aquaculture systems and received hands-on training in the management of an aquaculture facility. Since completing the internships, one student began work in the Ohio aquaculture industry and another is working towards starting his own facility. The Initiative funded four R & D projects concerning soy Saponins, cattle genetics, plant root microbiology, and Israeli greenhouses. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers working with OSU researchers studied the functionality of Saponins. Their research developed a procedure to extract Saponins, previously shown to lower cholesterol, from soybeans and chickpeas. These Saponins were then added to bread to increase its health benefits. The results of this research led to a grant from BARD to pursue further Saponins research and a pending business collaboration with a Columbus technology company. Researchers from Ohio and Israel examined cattle genetics by using Ohio bulls' (Red Angus, Black Angus, and Hereford) sperm to impregnate Israeli cows. This approach avoided conflicts with Israel's ban on importing American cattle due to a 2004 case of BSE in the U.S. The study seeks to identify differences between Israeli calves and mixed Ohio/Israel calves' growth rates, calf weight, meat quality, and potential beef market value. The study, currently ongoing as the calves are still developing, also compares breeds used and their conception rates. Researchers from the Agricultural Research Organization, OSU, and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem jointly studied the microbiology of compost as it relates to plant disease suppression. Using multiple rRNA gene sequences, the researchers found that as compost cures a number of different microbial communities are produced depending on the stage of the compost. A greenhouse feasibility study detailed how to implement commercial Israeli greenhouse technology in Ohio, which plant species would produce the best profits, where a structure could be built, and what technology would be best suited based on the greenhouse's needs. The Initiative facilitated contact between an Ohio aquaculture businessman and Kovax Ltd., an Israeli fish vaccine maker. An Ohio company was formed to market the fish vaccines. The company is close to gaining U.S. approval for a KHV vaccine that has plagued aquaculture operations worldwide and is seeking to develop a vaccine for VHS which affects the Great Lakes region. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: As part of its dissemination efforts, the Initiative secured media coverage in both Israel and America for its activities and events. For each significant event, the Initiative produced press releases and distribute them to relevant news media outlets including regional newspapers, radio and television stations, internet news sites, and agricultural trade publications. The Initiative actively corresponded with media persons in order to gauge how much press the Initiative was receiving and to promote more media coverage of its activities. The Initiative has collected over 30 articles discussing the Initiative's activities, but at least fifty other articles exist. Media coverage was secured in regional newspapers including the The Daily Standard, The Columbus Dispatch, The Courier Journal of Louisville (KY), The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Daily Record of Wooster, and The Dayton Daily News. Various Jewish media including the Cleveland Jewish News, The New Standard, and the Ohio Jewish Chronicle also reported on events as did Israeli agriculture magazines. Many Ohio and national agricultural publications also covered the Initiative's work including Farm and Dairy, American Small Farm Magazine, Ohio's Country Journal, and Farm World. The Initiative utilized events it participated in as a way of promoting its activities. From 2005-2007, the Initiative participated in the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's (OFBF) Annual Meeting and Tradeshow. The opportunity to present OIAI information on the ABN Ohio radio network which broadcasted at the event was utilized. The OFBF booth allowed the Initiative to recruit interested parties for Agrobusiness/Trade, Dairy, and Greenhouse mission trips. Previous delegation participants were on hand to highlight their positive experiences with mission trips. The Initiative has taken part in four Ohio State University annual Farm Science Reviews (2004-2007), two Israfood-Hotex exhibitions in Tel-Aviv (2004-2005), and three Ohio Aquaculture Association annual meetings. At these events, the Initiative promoted its upcoming and past missions to Israel using brochures, flyers, and video materials. Representatives of the initiative also were on hand to promote its programs such as workshops and R&D projects. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Following the completion of the Initiative's initial funding period, the following projects have been planned: A study will be conducted to determine the potential for integrated pest management based on crop and region attributes. Experts will explore the relationship between Israel and Ohio's organic agriculture sectors and how they might improve methodology and marketing. This project will be carried out with assistance from organic associations from both countries. The Initiative hopes to continue exploring aquaculture technology transfers between Ohio and Israel. Such work will be a continuation of the Initiative's missions and workshops. Based on the number of prior trade projects, the Initiative plans to continue fostering trade agreements between Israeli and American agriculture companies. The Initiative is also exploring the ability to export feeder calves, beef, and cattle genetics/embryos to Israel now that Israel has allowed the importation of some U.S. beef. The export of other agriculture products will also be explored and encouraged. As part of these trade efforts, the Initiative will assist more companies in becoming Kosher certified to increase their products' markets. Because of the successful work with vaccine developers, the Initiative will continue to follow up on the development of vaccines for Great Lakes fish with the developers. The Initiative is also examining potential technology and knowledge exchanges regarding the following areas: horticulture/greenhouse development, precision agriculture, and no-till agriculture. Another component of these projects is examining the market for any products produced by such development. In 2008, a presentation of Israeli technology for small dairy farms (150 to 200 cows) is planned for Ohio. This project, in cooperation with The Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Dairy Farmers of America, hopes to demonstrate the efficiency of online management control for the cow's feed, milk production, and health monitors. The Initiative will continue to encourage and sponsor agriculture and aquaculture internships for Ohio students in Israel. The Initiative will also continue sending delegations on mission trips and hosting exhibits at trade shows. Already planned are the 2008 Farm Science Review where for the fifth consecutive year the Initiative will host an Israel Pavilion and the 2008 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting Hospitality Corner. Besides these Ohio shows, the Initiative plans an Ohio trade mission to Israel which will include participation in the Agritech 2009 exhibition. Furthermore, a February 2009 Ohio agricultural tour is planned for relevant Israeli locations. In the fall of 2009, a greenhouse industry mission trip to Israel in conjunction with the Ohio State University Extension is also planned. Finally, representatives from Israel's Extension Services and Agribusinesses are expected to tour Ohio date to take part in seminars, workshops, and meetings with Ohio agriculture specialists.
Impacts
The Initiative's work in trade projects increased economic activity of both the U.S. and Israel. The Initiative was involved in the trade of over $5.55 million and growing for items including soybeans, packaged cereal, snacks, organic spelt, and green coffee. The result of more trade is a stronger agriculture industry and more jobs in this and related sectors. Furthermore, consumers benefit from the expanded trade as this provides more product choices. The Initiative produced a number of educational benefits deriving from agricultural technology transfers, information exchanges, and research. Because of the facilitation of technology exchanges, Ohio aquaculture producers have access to Israeli technology that provides effective water recirculation, healthy environments, and higher fish yields. The U.S. will have access to important fish vaccines developed by an Israeli company, KoVax Ltd. that should reduce the loss of fish both in controlled and natural aquaculture environments. The aquaculture internship program of the Ohio students in Israel benefits the Ohio aquaculture industry. Because of their internship experiences, the students gained valuable knowledge and skills that enable them to find employment in Ohio. The Initiative's joint Ohio-Israel research increased the knowledge of micriobiology of plant root compost, extraction process of soy Saponins, feasibility of greenhouse technology, and cattle genetics. Researchers made important strides that will influence future agriculture work in these fields and encourage further Ohio and Israel scientific collaboration.
Publications
- Danon, M., Franke-Whittle, I. H., Insam H., Chen Y., and Hadar, Y. 2008. Molecular analysis of bacterial community succession during prolonged compost curing. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 65 (1), 133 to 144.
- Green S.J., Inbar E., Michel, F.C. Jr., Hadar, Y., and Minz D. 2006. Succession of bacterial communities during early plant development: Transition from seed to root and effect of compost amendment. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 72 (6): 3975 to 3983.
- Green, S.J., Michel, F.C. Jr., Hadar, Y., and Minz, D. 2007. Contrasting patterns of seed and root colonization by bacteria from the genus Chryseobacterium and from the family Oxalobacteraceae. ISME Journal. 1 291 to 299.
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