Progress 07/01/10 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Ohio-Israel Agricultural Initiative, a USDA-funded project, began in June 2004 as a unique program to strengthen the agricultural connections between Ohio and Israel's farmers, trade organizations, businessmen, researchers, and educational & government entities. The project, a one-of-a-kind endeavor, is advised by a bi-national committee made up of business development & agribusiness leaders, agriculture & food technology experts, farmers, academia & extension professionals, agriculture association representatives, rural development experts, Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, Ohio Dept. of Development, Israel & U.S. Embassy officials, and Negev Foundation staff. The goals of the program are to 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 & agri-business sectors; identify new agriculture-related opportunities; expand market access in both regions; and identify specific agriculture exchange, technology transfer and other opportunities. At the conclusion of this reporting period, the Initiative produced verifiable outcomes towards achieving its goals. The Initiative was especially effective at meetings its goals of fostering trade, promoting technology transfers and collaborations, and facilitating communication between Israeli and Ohio agricultural stakeholders. Many trade projects were conceived, developed, or facilitated resulting in further trade of agricultural goods between Ohio and Israel that resulted in total trade worth 9-12 million dollars between 2004-2010. Trade in 2011-2012 will reach about 13.8 million dollars, and is projected to be higher next year. The Initiative's various projects were well publicized in the U.S. and Israeli media. During the reporting period, the Initiative had an Israel booth at 13 tradeshows and conferences in Ohio, presenting 35 Israeli agribusinesses, and attended another tradeshow; had an Ohio booth at a tradeshow in Israel, presenting 5 Ohio agribusinesses, and attended 5 other Israeli tradeshows; organized 9 professional visits of Israelis to Ohio with 14 Israeli delegates, and 5 Ohio trade delegations to Israel with 16 delegates; presented a symposium in Israel about Israel-U.S. trade opportunities and 18 informational workshops & seminars in Ohio about drip irrigation, horticulture, trade with Israel, food export, kosher certification, bi-natonal R&D, and student internship; attended 21 Ohio meetings and conferences; presented 10 Israeli drip irrigation and horticulture companies at a permanent training & demonstration unit in a university setting; had a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Ohio and a meeting of the Leadership Forum in Israel; and worked directly with many Israeli and Ohio agribusinesses interested in trade & collaboration. These events developed cooperative business arrangements, technology exchanges, and research collaboration opportunities between stakeholders from both countries in an effort to meet the Initiative's ambitious goals. PARTICIPANTS: Initiative representatives presented seminars in Ohio on trade and collaboration with Israel (at ODA Export Seminar, Going Global International Trade Forum, ODOD Food Export Seminar, NE Ohio Agribusiness Forum, OSU, and OARDC), and in Israel (a symposium on needs and opportunities in agriculture, food and energy in the U.S.). Initiative and Israeli representatives gave presentations about Israeli horticulture technologies and products at 9 OSU workshops and obtained funds to expand the OSU demo unit which showcases products of 10 Israeli horticulture companies. The Initiative gave a presentation to students at OARDC about the agricultural internship program in Israel. The Initiative presented 25 Israeli agribusinesses at its Israel Agriculture Pavilion at Farm Science Review 2010; 3 Israeli horticulture companies at its booth at OFA 2010, 4 companies at OFA 2011, and 3 companies at OFA 2012; 17 Israeli companies at its booth at OPGMA 2011; 13 Israeli companies at CENTS 2011; 1 Israeli company at OAA 2011; and 1 Israeli company at the Ohio Food Industry Expo, and had informational booths at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation 2010 & 2011 Tradeshow, OSU's 2010 Renewable Energy Workshop, 2011 Scarlet, Gray & Green Fair, and Farm Science Review 2011. The Initiative presented 5 Ohio agribusinesses in an Ohio booth at Israel's AgroMashov 2011 International Agriculture Exhibition, and 2 Ohio companies at Arava 2011 Agricultural Tradeshow. Initiative representatives attended CleanTech 2011, Watec 2011, AgroMashov 2012 and Agritech 2012 tradeshows in Israel, and OEFFA 2012 tradeshow in Ohio, as well as 21 Ohio workshops, seminars and conferences dealing with international trade, food export, agribusiness, and advanced energy. The Initiative used displays, videos, digital presentations and brochures to educate and promote Ohio-Israel trade. The Initiative organized Ohio visits of 9 Israelis specializing in trade, R&D, aquaculture, cattle genetics and dairy, and was instrumental in the visit of an Israeli food buyer to Ohio. A 9-member trade delegation toured Israel for meetings with Israeli organizations and companies interested in collaboration and entering the U.S. market in conjunction with AgroMashov 2011 and 2 attended AgroMashov 2012; a 2-member delegation visited Israel in conjunction with Arava 2011 tradeshow; a 4-member Ohio legislators economic development delegation visited Israel and met with agribusinesses; and a 3-member trade mission visited Israel in conjunction with Agritech 2012. The Initiative organized a meeting of its Advisory Committee in Ohio and a meeting of its Leadership Forum in Israel, and worked directly with many Israeli and Ohio food and agri-businesses interested in trade and collaboration towards achieving this goal. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Through participation in tradeshows in Ohio and Israel and other means, the Initiative identified companies interested in trade & collaboration, and has been working with these agribusinesses and food producers towards achieving their goals. The Initiative was involved in trade of agriculture, agribusiness, and food products between Ohio and Israel that reached more than $9-12 million between 2004-2010. Trade in 2011-2012 will reach about 13.8 million dollars, and is projected to be higher next year. Specific examples for this reporting period include: (1): Israeli companies: a dairy herd software and equipment company that has set its North America logistics & distribution center in Ohio to handle about $10 MM/year worth of merchandise while creating and maintaining local jobs; a dairy manufacturer that is planning on setting up manufacturing operations in Ohio for the U.S. market; companies that produce plant cuttings, seedlings, fertilizer injectors, micro-irrigation systems, and greenhouse and poultry equipment, that have increased their sales in Ohio; companies which produce soil-less plant growth substrate, greenhouse dehumidifiers, cattle genetic traceability kit & software, and a mastitis prevention product, that have been introduced to potential Ohio distributors and clients; and cattle traders and meat importers interested in importing feeder calves and meat to Israel that are at various stages of inquiries and discussions with Ohio entities to export feeder calves & meat to Israel (2): Ohio companies: a company that produces a soil-less synthetic hydroponic growth substrate which has exported its goods to Israel; a cereal producer which has been exporting breakfast cereal and health foods to Israel; a producer of cookies that has exported to Israel; an Ohio farmer that has exported organic spelt to Israel; a manufacturer of water treatment equipment which has been selling its products through an Israeli distributor; two pet food manufacturers which are exporting cat and dog food to Israel; a fish food company that has been exporting fish feed to Israel; and a research lab that has obtained research contracts from several Israeli clients. The Initiative's training of Ohio farmers and showcasing the irrigation and horticulture products of 10 Israeli companies resulted in enhanced familiarity of Ohio farmers with such products, which may lead to more sales for the Israeli companies and better yield for Ohio farmers. In addition, the Initiative made progress towards the export of meat, feeder calves, bovine semen and embryos, processed food, grains and flour, and other products from Ohio to Israel and the import of Israeli dairy, greenhouse, irrigation systems, horticulture and other products to Ohio. The Initiative helped stakeholders establish contacts within both countries which may lead to future trade.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 07/01/10 to 06/30/11
Outputs
The Ohio-Israel Agriculture 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 & government entities. The project, a one-of-a-kind endeavor, is advised by a bi-national committee made up of business development & agribusiness leaders, agriculture & food technology experts, farmers, academia & extension professionals, agriculture association representatives, rural development experts, Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, Ohio Dept. of Development, Israel & U.S. Embassy officials, and Negev Foundation staff. The goals of the program are to 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 & other opportunities. At the conclusion of this reporting period, the Initiative produced verifiable outcomes towards achieving its goals. The Initiative was especially effective at meetings its goals of fostering trade, promoting technology transfers & collaborations, and facilitating communication between Israeli & Ohio agricultural stakeholders. Many trade projects were conceived, developed, or facilitated resulting in further trade of agricultural goods between Ohio and Israel that since the inception of the program reached more than $9-12 million. The Initiative's various projects were well publicized in the U.S. and Israeli media. During the reporting period, the Initiative had an Israel booth at10 tradeshows and conferences in Ohio, presenting 32 Israeli agribusinesses; had an Ohio booth at a tradeshow in Israel, presenting 5 Ohio agribusinesses, and attended 2 other Israeli tradeshow; organized 5 professional visits from Israel to Ohio with 6 Israeli delegates and 3 Ohio trade delegations to Israel with 13 delegates; presented a symposium in Israel about Israel-U.S. trade opportunities and 10 informational workshops & seminars in Ohio about drip irrigation, horticulture, trade with Israel, food export, kosher certification, and student internship; attended 17 Ohio meetings and conferences; presented 10 Israeli drip irrigation and horticulture companies at a permanent training & demonstration unit in a university setting; had a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Ohio and a meeting of the Leadership Forum in Israel; and worked directly with many Israeli and Ohio agribusinesses interested in trade and collaboration. These events developed cooperative business arrangements, technology exchanges, and research collaboration opportunities between stakeholders from both countries in an effort to meet the Initiative's ambitious goals. PRODUCTS: The Initiative presented seminars on exporting to Israel at ODA Export Seminar, Going Global Monthly International Trade Forum, ODOD Food Export Seminar and NE Ohio Agribusiness Forum, and a symposium in Israel on needs and opportunities in agriculture, food and energy in the U.S., to help develop Israel-Ohio agribusiness trade. The Initiative and Israeli company reps gave presentations about Israeli horticulture technologies & products at 6 workshops at OSU S. Centers and obtained funds to expand its horticulture training & demo unit which showcases products of 10 Israeli companies. The Initiative gave a presentation at OSU/OARDC about the Israel student Ag internship program. The Initiative presented 25 Israeli agribusinesses at its Israel Agriculture Pavilion at OSU's 2010 Farm Science Review Tradeshow, showcasing the latest in Israeli agricultural innovations, technology, and equipment; presented 3 Israeli horticulture companies at its booth at the OFA 2010 Tradeshow and 4 companies at OFA 2011; 17 Israeli companies at its booth at OPGMA 2011 produce growers & marketing tradeshow; 13 Israeli companies at CENTS 2011 nursery & landscape tradeshow; 1 Israeli company at OAA 2011 aquaculture tradeshow; and 1 Israeli company at the Ohio Food Industry Expo, and had informational booths at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation 2010 Annual Meeting and Tradeshow, OSU's 2010 Renewable Energy Workshop, and Scarlet, Gray & Green Fair. The Initiative presented 5 Ohio agribusinesses in an Ohio booth at Israel's AgroMashov 2011 International Agriculture Exhibition, and 2 Ohio companies at Arava 2011 Agricultural Conference and Tradeshow, and met Israeli agribusinesses interested in trade with Ohio. The Initiative attended 17 workshops, seminars and conferences in Ohio dealing with international trade, food export, agribusiness, and advanced energy. The Initiative used displays, videos, digital presentations and brochures to educate and promote trade. The Initiative organized a visit of 2 Israeli aquaculture professionals in Ohio to help set up an Ohio demo farm using Israeli technology, a visit of a controlled feeding company CEO to explore markets in Ohio aquaculture industry, a visit of cattle ID company rep to present their products to potential Ohio users, and a visit of Israel's Agriculture Attache to promote trade opportunities in Ohio, and was instrumental in the visit of an Israeli food buyer who met with Ohio food producers interested in exporting to Israel. A 9-member trade delegation toured Israel for meetings with Israeli organizations and companies interested in collaboration and entering the U.S. market in conjunction with AgroMashov 2011, a 2-member delegation visited Israel in conjunction with Arava 2011 tradeshow, and a 4-member Ohio legislators economic development delegation visited Israel and met with agribusinesses. An Initiative rep attended CleanTech 2011 Summit and Exhibition in Israel. The Initiative organized a meeting of its Advisory Committee in Ohio and a meeting of its Leadership Forum in Israel, and worked directly with many Israeli and Ohio agribusinesses interested in trade and collaboration towards achieving this goal. OUTCOMES: Through participation in tradeshows in Ohio and Israel and other means, the Initiative identified companies interested in trade & collaboration, and has been working with these agribusinesses and food producers towards achieving their goals. The Initiative was involved in trade of agriculture, agribusiness & food products between Ohio and Israel that reached more than $9-12 million since the program's inception. Specific examples for this reporting period include: an Israeli dairy software and equipment company that has set its N. America logistics & and distribution center in Ohio to handle about $4 MM/year worth of merchandise; an Israeli seedlings company that has increased its sales in Ohio; an Israeli company that has sold fertilizer injectors in Ohio; an Israeli company which produces soil-less coco coir-based plant growth substrate that is in contact with potential Ohio distributors and clients to supply the products to Ohio farmers & nurseries; an Israeli company that developed a DIY genetic traceability molecular kit and software which provides a genetic tool for cattle parenthood authentication and increased food safety in meat products, that is in discussions with Ohio cattle breeders, farmers & associations towards testing and implementing the product in Ohio; an Israeli company that manufactures greenhouse dehumidifiers which identified a potential distributor and a greenhouse to demonstrate the product; Israeli cattle traders and meat importers interested in importing feeder calves and meat to Israel that are at various stages of inquiries and discussions with Ohio entities to export feeder calves & meat to Israel; an Ohio company that produces a soil-less synthetic hydroponic growth substrate which has exported its goods to Israel; a cereal producer which has been exporting breakfast cereal and health foods to Israel; a producer of cookies that is exporting to Israel through a new distributor; an Ohio farmer that has been exporting organic spelt to Israel; a manufacturer of water treatment equipment which has been selling its products through an Israeli distributor; 2 pet food manufacturers which are exporting cat and dog food to Israel; and a fish food company that is in the process of getting the certification to export to Israel. The Initiative's training of Ohio farmers and showcasing the irrigation and horticulture products of 10 Israeli companies resulted in enhanced familiarity of Ohio farmers with such products, which would lead to more sales for the Israeli companies and better yield for Ohio farmers. In addition, the Initiative worked on and made progress towards the export of meat, feeder calves, processed food, grains and flour, and other products from Ohio to Israel and the import of Israeli dairy, greenhouse, irrigation, horticulture and other products to Ohio. The Initiative helped stakeholders establish contacts within both countries which may lead to future trade. An Ohio farmer expressed interest in the Initiative's agricultural internship program in Israel, with the anticipation that after completing the internship she will apply the gained experience to Ohio's goats & sheep farming and creamery industries. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: As part of its dissemination efforts, the Initiative secured media coverage in both Israel and the U.S. for its activities and events. For each significant event, the Initiative produced press releases and distributed 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 on file many articles which discuss the Initiative's activities. Media coverage was secured in regional newspapers including The Daily Standard (Celina, OH), E-Newsletter of the U.S. Commercial Service Ohio - Cleveland/Akron U.S. Export Assistance Center, and ODOD Global Markets Division E-Newsletter; Various Jewish media, including the Israel Update e-newsletter of the Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia and Ohio Jewish Communities E-Newsletter; and Israeli agriculture magazines such as Kav LaMoshav, Harefet Vehachalav, Mashov Haklaut (Mashov Agriculture), AgroMashov E-Newsletter, and AgroMashov Exhibitors Catalogue. Several Ohio, national and international trade and agricultural publications covered the Initiative's work, including The Ohio State University's News and Media, OSU South Centers website, EDI's Fortnightly Report - a review of Israeli and Regional Business, Developments and News, Israel Update e-Newsletter of the Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia, Magazin Agricol - a Romanian agriculture magazine, and FloraCulture International (FCI) which is based in Amsterdam. The Initiative's website at www.negev.org was updated to include current activities. The Initiative utilized events it participated in as a way of promoting its activities. The Initiative had a booth at 10 Ohio tradeshows: Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Meeting and Tradeshow, Ohio State University Annual Farm Science Review, Ohio State University Renewable Energy Workshop, OFA 2010 and OFA 2011 International Horticulture Tradeshows, Ohio Produce Growers & Marketing Association Tradeshow, Central Environmental Nursery Tradeshow, Ohio Aquaculture Association Conference and Tradeshow, Ohio Food Industry Expo, and Scarlet, Gray, and Green Fair, as well as at AgroMashov International Exhibition for Agribusiness, Technology and Product in Israel which also included a special symposium on U.S.-Israel trade organized by the Initiative. Having booths at these events allowed the Initiative to publicize its activities, showcase Ohio and Israeli agribusinesses interested in trade, recruit new companies interested in economic opportunities between the two regions, and identify individuals interested in technology exchange and internships. In addition, the Initiative promoted these opportunities at conferences, tradeshows, workshops and seminars it attended, which included Arava MoPatuach Agricultural Conference & Tradeshow and CleanTech 2011 in Israel, and 10 informational workshops & seminars and 17 meetings and conferences in Ohio. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Following the completion of the Initiative's funding period, the following projects have been planned: The Initiative plans to continue exploring aquaculture technology transfers between Ohio and Israel, and help set up a demonstration & training for-profit recirculating aquaculture farm in Ohio using Israeli know-how. The Initiative also plans to expand the Drip Irrigation and Horticulture Training and Demonstration Unit in Ohio State University South Centers and continue supporting training workshops showcasing Israeli irrigation and horticulture technologies and products. The Initiative plans to help with the demonstration of an Israel-made dehumidifier in an Ohio greenhouse. The Initiative plans to continue fostering trade between Israeli and Ohio agriculture companies and to continue working directly with Israeli and Ohio agribusinesses interested in trade and collaboration. The Initiative plans to help Israeli importers explore exporting feeder calves and meat from Ohio to Israel once the health protocols between the US and Israel are signed. The trade of other agricultural 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. The Initiative plans to help an Ohio dairy goat farmer/cheese producer in arranging for an internship in Israel, and will continue to encourage agriculture and aquaculture internships for Ohio students and professionals in Israel. The Initiative also hopes to continue having agriculture experts and trade delegations visit Israel and Ohio. The Initiative plans to have a presence in Ohio tradeshows such as the 2011 Ohio State University Farm Science Review, the 2011 Ohio State University Renewable Energy Workshop, the 2011 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting and Tradeshow Hospitality Corner, OPGMA 2012 Conference and Tradeshow (fruits and vegetables) , CENTS 2012 Conference and Tradeshow (nurseries and landscaping), OAA 2012 (aquaculture), and OFA 2012 Tradeshow (horticulture). In Israel the Initiative plans to have a presence at Arava MoPatuach 2012 Agricultural Conference and Tradeshow, AgroMashov 2012 International Exhibition for Agribusiness, Technology and Product, and AgriTech 2012 International Tradeshow. The Initiative also hopes to present informational workshops & seminars as well as attend other conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings in Ohio and Israel. These activities will enable the Initiative to publicize its activities, showcase Ohio and Israeli agribusinesses interested in trade, recruit new companies interested in economic opportunities between the two regions, and identify individuals interested in technology exchange and internships.
Impacts
The Initiative's work in trade projects increased economic activity of both the U.S. and Israel. The Initiative was involved in trade of items between Ohio and Israel that reached more than $9-12 million since the inception of the program. We aren't always made aware of the actual dollar value of all business transactions between private companies, yet through both specific and general feedback, we feel that the estimate is accurate. The outcome 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, and information exchanges. Because of the facilitation of technology exchanges, Ohio producers have access to Israeli technology that provides effective irrigation, water recirculation, healthy environments, and higher yields.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|