1 Annual Report Ohio-Israel Ag & Cleantech Initiative of the Negev

Annual Report Ohio-Israel Ag & CleanTech Initiative of The Negev Foundation FY 2016/2017

INTRODUCTION

The activities of the Ohio-Israel Agricultural Initiative of The Negev Foundation in FY 2016/2017 focused on promoting and enhancing trade opportunities, business attraction, technology transfer, and cooperation between Ohio and Israel in the agriculture, food and CleanTech industries. The Initiative’s goal is to enable Ohio to Israel export and Israel to Ohio business and technology attraction in these sectors in order to enhance business opportunities in Ohio through collaboration with Israel. The Initiative pursues these objectives by working directly with Israeli and Ohio companies, participating in tradeshows, presenting seminars, facilitating demonstration of company products, assisting in technology transfer, planning for and having missions and delegations between the two regions, and promoting and coordinating collaborative R&D between Ohio and Israel. Detailed below are activities that took place in the FY 2016/2017 funding cycle (7/1/16-6/30/17).

ACTIVITIES

One-on-One Trade Assistance to Ohio and Israeli Companies and Organizations

The Initiative works directly with Ohio and Israeli agribusinesses, food producers, and CleanTech companies. It assists these companies in pursuit of initiating or expanding export/import between the two regions and in finding potential partners for export-import, business attraction, and technology transfer. Examples of work done in this reporting period are:

Ohio Companies

CleanTech Companies

Quasar Energy Group Quasar Energy Group (www.quasareg.com), based in Cleveland, OH, offers anaerobic digesters for the conversion of biomass to energy. The Initiative has been helping Quasar with their interest in setting up operations in Israel. The Israeli company that Quasar partnered with, Evilon Environmental Solutions Ltd., is still working on importing the Quasar system to Israel. Progress is slow due to regulators in Israel. A couple of other Israeli entities expressed interest in the Quasar product, and they will work through Evilon.

MetaMateria MetaMateria Technologies, LLC (www.metamateria.com), based in Columbus, OH, is a company that the Initiative has been assisting in introducing them to the Israeli market. MetaMateria is an inventor, developer, manufacturer and marketer of advanced nanotechnology –based water purification solutions for the water and wastewater markets. The company approached the Initiative asking for help in identifying exporters/shipping companies to ship samples of their products to Israel for field trials. The Initiative contacted entities in Israel (Gal-

R International Forwarding Ltd. and Mor Yam Marketing, Ltd.) regarding Ohio to Israel exporting and shipping and referred MetaMateria to these companies. The Initiative had also introduced MetaMateria to Ohio organizations that help with export issues (the Ohio DSA, the Ohio DSA’s Columbus-based SBDC Rep, and Columbus2020),

Ag Companies

Ricerca Ricerca Biosciences, LLC (www.ricerca.com, http://www.ricerca.com/agrochemical- services.asp), based in Concord, OH, is a company that the Initiative has been assisting with the Israeli market. Ricerca provides studies under GLP for registration of agricultural compounds, taking agrochemicals from discovery to global registration. Ricerca asked the Initiative for help in getting into the Therapeutic Marijuana market in OH from the regulatory testing aspect. The Initiative connected Ricerca with Ohio’s Sure to Grow and IGrow companies, and with Israel’s Agam Greenhouse Energy Systems, Ltd..

Higher Ground Agriculture Higher Ground Agriculture (Highergroundag.com), based in Columbus, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company does commercial hydroponics/aquaculture (aquaponics) projects. They were looking for strategic partners. The Initiative connected Higher Ground Agriculture with Israeli greenhouse/hydroponics companies that we currently work with (Growing Smart and GoHydro).

Scotts Miracle-Gro Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (http://www.scottsmiraclegro.com), based in Marysville, OH, is an industry-leader in lawn, garden and outdoor living products and services. The Initiative has been working with Scotts, introducing Israeli companies to them. Scotts has recently bought General Hydroponics of California (hydroponics supplies such as growing medium, potting soils, and hydroponic kits) and Gavita Hydroponics (a Dutch lighting company) and expressed interest in buying companies, technologies and products that deal with hydroponics. They are open to looking at Israeli companies, technologies and products in hydroponics. The Initiative, which had presented Israel’s Groundwork to Scotts, has presented to Scotts Israel’s Agam Greenhouse Energy Systems, Ltd. and put the companies in direct communication.

Food Companies

General

Search for New Ohio Food Companies Interested in Exporting to Israel The Initiative reached out to various Ohio organizations to help identify Ohio based food companies that might be interested in exploring Israel as an export destination. These organizations include Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Proud program at ODA, Ohio based kosher certification authorities, the Midwest Food Export Association/the Ohio DSA, and JobsOhio.

Specific Requests from Israel The Initiative is in contact with the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, The Israel Chamber of Commerce, and Israeli importers to find out what specific food products Israel is looking for to import from the U.S. Based on that the Initiative searches for Ohio sources, so that Ohio will have an opportunity at the Israeli market. Examples of specific requests in Israel are: applesauce, natural maple, chestnuts, white, yellow or red onions, ornamental fish, frozen broccoli and cauliflower, kosher certified grape juice,

Israeli Importers The Initiative was looking to increase its pool of Israeli food importers and approached Ohio and Israeli organizations for input, including: USDA Rep in the U.S. Embassy in Israel, Israel Chamber of Commerce, Israel Economic Mission to the U.S. in Chicago, Israel Food Industry Association at the Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI), the Israel Export Institute, Ohio DSA, and the Midwest U.S. Food Export Association,

Specific Food Companies

JohnVince Foods JohnVince Foods (http://johnvince.com/products-c13.php) has a manufacturing and packaging facility in Lordstown, OH. It is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures bulk and packaged kosher certified food products ranging from nuts, dried fruits, beans and peas, chocolates and candies, spices, herbs, and more. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the company’s Director of Operation/Manufacturing and with their sales person. A Rep from the Youngtown/Warren Chamber joined the meeting. The Initiative is working with the company on preparing materials to e-present the company to the Israeli market. In addition, the Initiative will connect potential Israeli food manufacturers looking to enter the U.S. market to the company.

Big Dipper Food Company, Inc. Big Dipper Food Company, Inc. (www.bigdipperfood.com) of Youngstown, OH is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures kosher certified snacks. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative will assist once the Youngstown/Warren Chamber presents the company to the Initiative and coordinates a site visit.

Cleveland Kraut Cleveland Kraut (clevelandkraut.com) based in Cleveland, OH is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures non-kosher unpasteurized sauerkraut which is all natural, non-GMO, vegan, raw with rustic cut, made using old-world fermentation techniques that contains naturally created probiotics and enzymes. The product comes in 6 flavors and needs to be kept refrigerated. The company is in the process of kosher certifying their products. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the Director of Sales/Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)/Co-owner of the company. The Initiative presented the company to the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, and directed the company to the following Israeli importers: Green Field Foods, Ltd., Hamama Food Trading Ltd., SUIDAN - Sons of Malek Suidan Ltd., Shukha -

Sons of George Shukha Ltd., MorYam, Leiman Schlussel, Tiv Taam/Israco Group, Sufersal, Neto, Rami Levy Chain Stores, Yochananof, and Strauss.

Great Lakes Smoked Meats Great Lakes Smoked Meats (greatlakessmokedmeats.com) of Lorain, OH is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes non-kosher meat snack sticks which are gluten free and made of muscle meat. The company expressed interest in kosher certifying their products and in export to Israel. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the company’s President and Sales/Marketing Manager. For input into kosher certification, the Initiative connected the company with Tibor’s Kosher Meat Market and 6 Ohio based kosher certification authorities. For general export assistance the Initiative connected the company with the Ohio DSA. For export to Israel the Initiative introduced the company to the Israel Chamber of Commerce and the USDA Rep of the U.S. Embassy in Israel as well as to Israel’s importing company MorYam and Israel’s non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco. The company decided not to pursue kosher certification, as it is too complicated for the type of products they make.

The Mustard Man The Mustard Man (https://www.themustardman.net) of Canton, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes kosher certified specialty mustards, some of which are gluten free. The company manufactures at 2 co-packer facilities. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director met with the company’s owner. The Initiative connected the company with the Ohio DSA for general export assistance. For export to Israel, the Initiative presented the company to the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel. The Initiative then connected the company with specific Israeli importers: MorYam, who expressed interest in the products and asked for pricing, and to Green Field Foods, Ltd., Moga International, AFY, Cohen Brothers, Dip, Neeman, H. Cohen, and Neptune. Upon receipt of further information from the company, the Initiative will present the company to the Israel Chamber of Commerce.

Rust Belt Pepper Company, LLC Rust Belt Pepper Company LLC (http://www.rustbeltpepper.com), based in Canton, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures non-kosher gluten free, vegan pepper relish (roasted sweet peppers in tomato sauce with garlic). They use a co-packer facility for their production. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director met with the company’s owner to learn more about the company’s interest and needs. As the company was considering kosher certification, the Initiative encouraged the company to kosher certify their products to increase their chance of entering the Israeli market (as well as new market niches in the domestic market), and presented to the company 3 Ohio based, regional kosher certification authorities. For general Export assistance, the Initiative connected the company with the Ohio DSA and with the Cleveland office of the International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. As for export to Israel, the Initiative presented the company to the Israel Chamber of Commerce and the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel. In addition, the Initiative presented the company to the following Israeli importers: Mor Yam Marketing, Ltd., Green Field Foods, Ltd., the non- kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco, and Livyatan trading. The company worked on

4 getting export pricing and looking into kosher certifying their products. The Initiative assisted the Ohio company in their communications with the Israeli importers. In addition, the Initiative introduced the company to the Ohio DSA and its 2 regional DSA Reps (SBDC) and the Food Export Association.

Shema Global, LLC Shema Global, LLC (www.shemastore.com) of Delaware, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures and distributes all natural (plant based) hair and skin care products such as soaps, lotions, and oils, which contain Shea Butter (an edible plant in some parts of the world) as an ingredient. The Initiative Program Director communicated with the company’s Managing Director who expressed interest in exporting their products to Israel. The Initiative introduced the Ohio DSA to the company for general export assistance, and presented the company to the Israel Chamber of Commerce.

Holmes Made Foods, LLC Holmes Made Foods, LLC (http://holmesapplesauce.com), headquartered in Cleveland, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes 2 types of non-kosher applesauce, original and cinnamon flavor. The applesauce is 100% all natural, with no added sugar, gluten free, non- GMO, and vegan friendly. Following up on a request from Israel for applesauce, the Initiative approached the company and met with the company’s Founder/CEO and the regional Ohio DSA (SBDC) Rep. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel as well as in kosher certifying their products. The Initiative introduced 6 Ohio based kosher certification authorities for assistance in kosher issues and the Ohio Proud program to the company. In addition, the Initiative presented the company to the Israel Chamber of Commerce. The Initiative introduced the company to Israel’s Tiv Taam/Israco, the non-kosher supermarket chain that was looking to import applesauce from the U.S. via the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel. Tiv Taam/Israco expressed interest, approached the Ohio company and started direct communication regarding the possibility of exporting the company’s applesauce from Ohio to Israel (specific info, packaging details, etc.). The Initiative assisted in keeping the communication going. Another Israeli food importer, Neeman Ltd. (Neeman Leorech Zman Ltd.) expressed interest in the company’s applesauce. The Initiative connected between the Ohio producer and Israeli importer to allow direct communication between the 2 parties regarding the potential of exporting from Ohio to Israel, e.g., pricing.

Route 9 Cooperative Route 9 Cooperative (http://www.route9cooperative.com/) of Carrollton, OH, is a new company for the initiative. Route 9 Cooperative is a co-op of owners of 5 chestnut orchards in Carrollton, OH. They produce and market chestnuts. Following up on a request from Israel for chestnuts, the Initiative approached the co-op’s President. The co-op expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative introduced the co-op to Israel’s Tiv Taam/Israco, the non-kosher supermarket chain that was looking to import chestnuts from the U.S. via the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel.

Sobaby Jam Co. Sobaby Jam Co. (https://www.sobabyjamco.com/), based in Springfield, OH, is a new company to the Initiative. The company makes organic certified, non-kosher chunky style applesauce,

5 jams (strawberry, pineapple, mango, pineapple jalapeno, and mango jalapeno), and a cooking jam (bell pepper jalapeno). Following up on a request from Israel for applesauce, the Initiative approached the company and communicated with the company’s President. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative introduced the company to Israel’s Tiv Taam/Israco, the non-kosher supermarket chain that was looking to import applesauce from the U.S. via the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel.

Five Star Foodies, LLC Five Star Foodies, LLC (http://www.fivestarfoodies.com) located in Cincinnati, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes non-kosher frozen veggie burgers (patties) which are gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, as well as non-kosher cold pressed ciders (using high-pressure pasteurization process with no heat) which requires cold storage. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel and in kosher certifying their products. The Initiative Program Director communicated with the company’s Director of Operations to learn about products and interest and plan course of action. The Initiative introduced 6 Ohio kosher authorities to the company to inquire about kosher certifying their products. As of general export assistance, the Initiative referred the company to the Ohio Proud program and to the Ohio DSA. The Initiative presented the company to the USDA Rep of the U.S. Embassy in Israel and to Israel’s largest non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco. Once we get additional information from the company, the Initiative will introduce the company to the Israel Chamber of Commerce as well.

Agvest Quality Brands Agvest Quality Brands (www.agvest.com) of Bedford, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes frozen fruits, and whole fruit powder made from frozen fruits (e.g., conventional & cultivated blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, red & black raspberries, as well as organic black & red raspberries and aronia berries). Products are non-GMO, all natural, gluten free, no sugar added, organic or conventional and are kosher certified. The company sells to manufacturers of vitamins and supplements, the nutritional market and the industrial market (as food ingredients). The company was interested in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director met with the owner of the company to learn about the products and interest and plan course of action. The Initiative then presented the company to the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and to the Israel Chamber of Commerce.

Phillips Syrup Phillips Syrup (PhillipsSyrup.com) of Westlake, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes kosher certified gourmet syrups, sauces, and toppings such as coffee sauces and syrups, ice cream toppings, slush bases, and shakes fountain syrups, in various flavors. The company approached the Initiative with their interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the Manager to learn about the products and interest and plan course of action. The Initiative then introduced the company to the Ohio Proud program. The Initiative presented the company to the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and to the Israel Chamber of Commerce. As a result, Israel’s importing company American Quality Products Ltd. (A.Q.P.) expressed interest in the products. The Initiative had connected the Israeli importer with the Ohio company, product samples were sent

6 from the Ohio company to the Israeli importer for evaluation. Both sides are now in direct communication.

Mancan Wine Mancan Wine (www.mancanwine.com) of Cleveland, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures non-kosher wine in a can, in 3 blends (dry red, dry white, and fizz). The company expressed interest in the Israeli market. The Initiative Program Director visited the company’s headquarters and met with the company’s CEO. The Initiative then introduced the company to the USDA Rep of the U.S. Embassy in Israel and the Israel Chamber of Commerce as well as to the largest non-kosher supermarket chain in Israel Tiv Taam/Israco.

Stadium Salsa LLC Stadium Salsa LLC (www.stadiumsalsa.com), based in Bowling Green, OH, is a manufacturer of non-kosher all natural and gluten free salsas and of tortilla chips. This is a new company for the Initiative. The company asked the Initiative for help in exploring Israel as an export destination. The Initiative Program Director had a meeting with the company’s Owner/Founder. The Initiative then presented the company to the USDA Rep of the U.S. Embassy in Israel and to the Israel Chamber of Commerce as well as to Tiv Taam/Israco, Israel’s largest non-kosher supermarket chain. The salsas are non-kosher, and since the current co-packer is not interested in kosher certifying, the company is looking for a co-packer that can make kosher certified salsas for them.

Via Vecchia Winery Via Vecchia Winery (www.ViaVecchiaWinery.com) in Columbus, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company is a winery, producing non-kosher all-natural, hand crafted, red wines made from whole grapes, with no additives. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director met with the company’s co-owner/vinter. The Initiative introduced the winery to the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and to the Israel Chamber of Commerce as well as to Israel’s largest non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco. As a result, the Israeli importing company Alternativa Trade Ltd. expressed interest in the Via Vecchia wines, requesting a wine catalog and export price list, at which stage the Ohio and Israeli companies started communicating directly.

Bissell Maple Farm Bissell Maple Farm (bissellmaplefarm.com) of Jefferson, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. Following up on a request from Israel for maple syrup, the Initiative has identified this company as a potential source for Ohio export to Israel. The company makes high quality 100% pure all natural maple syrup products which are kosher certified and have a long shelf life. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the company’s President. The company is interested in the possibility of exporting to Israel. The Initiative presented the company to the Israel Chamber of Commerce and to Tiv Taam/Israco supermarket chain which was the one that had the initial inquiry about importing maple syrup from the U.S. to Israel via the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel.

Jack and Frank Patillo BBQ, Link & Sauce Co.

Jack and Frank Patillo BBQ, Link & Sauce Co. (patillosbbq.com) of Huber Heights, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes all organic BBQ sauce in various flavors, seasoning products, all beef links and sausages, and seasoned all beef patties. The company expressed interest in exporting their products to Israel and in looking into kosher certifying their products. The Initiative Program Director met with the company’s Program Manager to review their interest and needs. The Initiative presented to the company 6 Ohio based kosher certification authorities, for help with kosher certification issues. For general export assistance the Initiative introduced the company to the Ohio Proud program and to the Ohio DSA. As for export assistance, the Initiative presented the company to the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and to the Israel Chamber of Commerce. The Initiative then connected the company with the largest Israeli non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco as well as with the Israeli food importers Cohen Brothers, Dip food distributers, Tallas food industries, Neeman food distributers, Ristretto imported global cuisine, A. A. Lerner and H. Cohen.

Toledo Spirits Company Toledo Spirits Company (www.toledospirits.com), based in Toledo, OH, is a manufacturer of spirits (vodkas, liqueurs, and whiskeys). This is a new company for the Initiative. The company expressed interest in exploring Israel as an export destination and in looking into kosher certifying their products. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the company’s President. The Initiative then introduced 6 Ohio based kosher certification authorities to the company. The company followed up by meeting with at least with one of them, to learn more about the kosher certification process as it applies to their line of production, and will decide if they want to pursue kosher certification. The Initiative introduced the company to Ohio Proud and the Ohio DSA for general and export assistance. As for assistance in exploring Israel as an export destination, the Initiative introduced the company to the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and the Israel Chamber of Commerce, as well as to the Israeli non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco.

Wyandot, Inc. Wyandot, Inc. (www.wyandotsnacks.com), based in Marion, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures plant-based healthy snacks. Many of the products are organic, all-natural, non-GMO, with no nuts. Most products are kosher certified and Halal. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel their Munch Rights Veggie Puffs and Fruit (apple) Puffs through ATI (American Trading International). The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the manufacturing facility and met with the company’s President & CEO, Vice President for Technical Services, and National Sales Manager. The Israeli importing company Mor Yam expressed interest in the products. The Initiative promoted communication between Wyandot, ATI, and Mor Yam. Mor Yam had ordered the first shipment of products in order to test the products in Israel.

Nutritional Medicinals LLC (Functional Formularies) Nutritional Medicinals LLC (Functional Formularies) (www.functionalformularies.com) of Centerville, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes organic, whole food, feeding tube formula and meal replacement under the brand name Functional Formularies. The company is interested in exporting to Israel and is looking for distributors that sell to medical supply companies, hospitals and governmental hospitals, long term care facilities, pharmacies,

8 and end users. The Initiative connected the company with 6 Ohio kosher certification authorities for their interest in kosher certifying their product, and presented the company to the Israeli market through the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel and the Israel Chamber of Commerce. An Israeli importing company, Meir Maya Company, expressed interest in the product. The Initiative connected between the Ohio company and the Israeli importer and put them in direct communication.

JES Foods, Inc. JES Foods, Inc. (www.jesfoods.com), with headquarters in Cleveland, OH, and manufacturing facility in Celina, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company, which is a co-packer, is a specialty source ingredient supplier for custom prepared foods, from sautéed and roasted vegetables to wet and dry blends. Most products are frozen. They also make dry blends and infusion for meat products and finished products such as sauces in pouches. Products can be made kosher certified. The company expressed interest in export to Israel, and is looking for importers that sell to food manufacturers such as pasta sauce makers, fruit drinks makers, baby food makers, makers of jams, and makers of many other types of food products. The Initiative’s Program Director met with the company’s Executive Vice President. The Initiative presented the company to Israel via the USDA Rep of the US. Embassy in Israel, and will assist further once the company submits a filled out business proposal form.

Guy's Award Winning BBQ Sauce Guy's Award Winning BBQ Sauce (www.guysbbq.com) with headquarters in Newton Falls, OH and manufacturing in Boardman, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes BBQ sauces in several different flavors. The products are healthy, nutritious, vegan and vegetarian, free of sugar, gluten and trans fats, low in sodium, carb and calorie. The company is interested in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director met with the company owner, the co-packer’s Sales Manager, and the Manager of Business Development for Trumbull County of Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. The Initiative introduced the company to Israel’s non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco.

Plant Kingdom Bakery LLC Plant Kingdom Bakery LLC (www.plantkingdombakery.com) of South Euclid, OH is a new company for the Initiative. The company has a large inventory of Canadian-grown toasted and shelled hemp seed for sale and expressed interest in exporting the hemp seed inventory to Israel. The Initiative’s Program Director met with the company, and will assist.

The Mennel Milling Company The Mennel Milling Company (http://mennel.com/) of Fostoria, OH with a plant in Morral, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company markets kosher certified raw popcorn ready to be popped, in bulk. The company is interested in the Israeli market. The Initiative’s Program Director visited and toured the company’s plant and met with the company’s management. The Initiative connected the company with Ohio Proud, with the Ohio DSA, and with Columbus2020 for export assistance, and will assist with introduction to the Israeli market.

Silver Bridge Coffee Silver Bridge Coffee (https://silverbridgecoffee.com/), based in Bidwell, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures kosher certified, flavored and non-flavored roasted specialty blends of coffee. The company is interested in exporting to Israel. The Initiative’s Program Director visited the facility and met with the owner and the regional Ohio DSA (SBDC) Rep. The Initiative connected the company with the Kroger kosher consultant for help with marketing through Kroger, and will introduce the company to the Israeli market.

Roots Poultry, Inc. Roots Poultry, Inc. (http://www.rootspoultry.com/) of Fremont, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company pproduces and markets frozen shredded chicken, beef and pork, barbequed shredded chicken, beef and pork, chicken products, chicken noodle soup, and chicken broth. The company expressed interest in export to Israel. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the company’s President. The Initiative introduced the company to 6 Ohio kosher certification authorities to consider kosher certification of their products, to the Ohio DSA for general export assistance, and will assist with introduction to the Israeli market upon receipt of filled out business proposal form and e-catalog.

Summer Garden Food Manufacturing Summer Garden Food Manufacturing (http://www.summergardenfood.com/), based in Boardman, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company is a co-packer of sauces such as BBQ, pasta, salsa, and seafood sauces. The Initiative Program Director met with the Director of Zidian Specialty Foods, which is part of the Zidian Group that does the Distribution for Summer Garden Food Manufacturing. As the products are not kosher certified, and the co- packer is not interested in kosher certification, and based on the potential market share the company decided not to pursue the Israeli market for now.

La Bamba Tortilleria La Bamba Tortilleria (www.labambatortilleria.com) of Cleveland, OH, is a new company for the Initiative. The company makes flour tortillas, corn tortillas, and non-GMO gluten-free corn tortillas in various sizes as well as tortilla chips. The company approached the Initiative with an interest in exporting to Israel. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of the facility and met with the company’s President. The Initiative also introduced the company to the Ohio Proud program. As the products have a relatively short shelf live without refrigeration and are non-kosher, and the company is not ready yet to go through the kosher certification process, and needs time to design products with longer shelf life, it was decided to put things on hold till the company is ready.

Lucy’s Sweet Surrender Lucy’s Sweet Surrender (www.lucyssweetsurrender.com) of Shaker Heights, OH makes baked goods. The company expressed interest in exporting to Israel. This is a new company for the initiative. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit at the bakery and met with the owner. The products are non-kosher, expensive, and have a short shelf life, and thus do not fit the criteria of exporting to Israel. The company decided not to pursue Israel as an export destination.

East-West International Group, Inc. (EWIG) East-West International Group, Inc. (EWIG) (www.eastwestintlgroup.com), of Moreland Hills, OH is a company that the Initiative has been assisting. The company represents and is a distributor and exporter of 10 U.S. food & beverage companies (7 of which have kosher certified products). The company approached the Initiative with a renewed interest in exploring Israel as an export destination. The Initiative Program Director met with the company’s President to learn about their current needs and interest. The Initiative introduced the company to the USDA Rep of the U.S. Embassy in Israel and to the Israel Chamber of Commerce, as well as to the largest Israeli non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam/Israco.

Miceli Dairy Miceli Dairy (www.miceli-dairy.com) of Cleveland, OH, is a manufacturer and distributor of cheese (e.g., Ricotta, Mozzarella). The Initiative has been working with Miceli on Israel related trade opportunities. Miceli Dairy asked the Initiative for help with export of kosher canned chicken from the U.S. to Israel. The Initiative, with input from the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, found out that Israel’s Ministry of Health food control services doesn’t object to the importation of chicken and meat products as sensitive foods since the market opened for American meats. The products have to be Kosher certified. The best way for an Ohio/U.S. producer to export to Israel is to be involved with an Israeli importer which can later sell the products locally. The Initiative presented the info and the Israeli USDA Rep contact to Miceli.

Latinex International Ltd. Latinex International Ltd., based in North Olmstead, OH, is a distributor of food products and commodities. The Initiative has been introducing Israel opportunities to Latinex. The company has asked the Initiative for help in identifying Israeli grain importers, to export grains such as corn and wheat from Ohio and the U.S. to Israel. The Initiative has connected Latinex with the USDA Rep at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv for direct help with the Israeli market. Latinex was also looking for Ohio sources of grains for export. The Initiative connected Latinex with Ohio’s Hirzel Farms which specializes in organic small grains, soybean and corn, and with Ohio’s Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) organization. Latinex was also looking into alternative exporting routs from Ohio. The Initiative connected Latinex with the Lorain, OH based Richard Konik Export-Import company for the Toledo and Cleveland Port Authorities routs. Latinex also plans to import from Israel sugar-coated peanuts, and asked the Initiative for help with Ohio-based distributors. The Initiative suggested to Latinex two contacts - King Nut of Solon and Midland Foods Inc. of Cleveland, OH.

Belmont Confections Belmont Confections (http://www.belmontnutrition.com/) based in Youngstown, OH, is a manufacturer of protein and health bars. The company is interested in exploring Israel as an export destination. As the Initiative had already done a site visit and facility tour and met with the company’s owner and COO, we will assist the company with introduction to the Israel market once we get specific input from them.

Kroger The Kroger Company (www.kroger.com) is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. The Initiative has been working with Kroger, int4roducing to them Israeli food manufacturers. In this reporting period the Initiative met with the Kosher food consultant for Kroger, and introduced to him old

11 and new Israeli food manufacturing companies that are interested in selling through Kroger: Agro Fresh Pro Ltd., Green Field Foods, Ltd., Mahroum Oriental Sweets, and Of Tov.

Israeli Companies

CleanTech Companies

BlueGreen Water Technologies BlueGreen Water Technologies (www.bgtechs.com), based in Tel Aviv, Israel, manufactures a proprietary biocide product to control and prevent the intensification of harmful algal blooms in water reservoirs and large bodies of water with a sophisticated floating, slow-releasing oxidizing formulation.

The Initiative has been introducing the company to Ohio as an option of dealing with Ohio’s toxic algae problems. In addition, the Initiative kept the Israeli company informed about problems and issues related to algae blooms in Ohio and a toxic algae conference in Toledo, OH.

The company finished the production phase and was moving towards commercialization of the product in different territories around the world, including the U.S. It was looking for business opportunities with local players and potential Ohio clients as well as doing pilots/trials in collaboration with Ohio entities such as those that run/manage water reservoirs, water utility companies, and water bureau personnel. The Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the following Ohio economic development organizations: Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Toledo Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and REDI Cincinnati/Cintrifuse. In addition, the Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) and Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA), to the Federal EPA group based in Cincinnati, OH, to Proctor & Gamble, and to the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo.

The company needs to properly register their product for use in the U.S. The Initiative introduced the company to experts at the U.S. EPA who explained to the company the process and requirements of getting an EPA license. The company was looking for distribution partners who would also be licensing partners for local registration. During the period that the company does not have their product licensed in the U.S., the company was looking for potential end-users that could be interested in pre-registration use, e.g., on an experimental basis.

The Initiative Program Director had a meeting with the company’s CTO in Israel to review progress to date and future activity plans in Ohio including upcoming conferences and tradeshows.

The company expressed interest in finding a U.S. Ohio Rep. Trying to attract the company to Ohio, the Initiative presented the company’s interest in to the following entities that would either be interested themselves or spread the word, and shared these contacts with the company: Cleveland Water Alliance, Akron Global Water Alliance, Exponent, the Ohio Aquaculture

Association (OAA), the Ohio EPA, Stone Lab/OSU, OSU’s F2F (Field to Faucet), and Turnkey Leadership.

The Initiative invited the company to attend Ohio’s Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) 2017 conference and tradeshow which will give the company exposure to the Ohio market. The company’s CEO attended the conference and gave a presentation about their product and applications. He met with a number of potential clients and partners, and followed up with them directly.

Treatec21 Industries, Ltd Treatec21 Industries, Ltd. (http://treatec21.com/) of Hertzlya, Israel offers water and wastewater depuration systems, including wastewater treatment systems for small communities. The systems are simple, modular, fixed-bed, aerobic bioreactors, with net media and upward air flow, resulting in zero sludge, with no smell and no noise. The company is interested in selling their wastewater treatment systems in Ohio.

The Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the following Ohio economic development organizations: Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Toledo Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and REDI Cincinnati/Cintrifuse. In addition, the Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) and Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA), and to Greater Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc., to be introduced by them to 360water, Inc. of Columbus, OH.

The Ohio EPA chose to use Treatec21 Industries, Ltd. as 1 of 3 companies used for their trial of the Battelle questionnaire designed to qualify water related technologies in order to find the flaws of the questionnaire. By having the Israeli company respond to the questionnaire for the trial run, the Ohio EPA and Battelle were able to identify faults in the original questionnaire such as the fact that the Battelle questionnaire cannot work as a “one size fits all”.

The Initiative Program Director had a meeting with Treatec21 General Manager and VP Business Development at their headquarters in Herzlya, Israel, which was followed by a site visit and tour of a facility where the company’s system is used in a small rural community. The Initiative Program Director also reviewed with the company progress to date and future activity plans in Ohio.

WellToDo WellToDo (http://welltodo.co.il/) of Shahak Industrial Zone, Israel, offers an economical, environmentally-friendly technology for cleaning Nitrate contaminated water by converting Nitrate to a non-polluting compound using a physical-chemical process. The process uses a proprietary activated carbon cloth-supported catalyst, which enables a reduction reaction that uses Hydrogen to convert Nitrates into gaseous Nitrogen and Water. The WellToDo system can deal with municipal drinking water, industrial wastewater, and agricultural waste (e.g., dairy farm wastewater).

The Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the following Ohio economic development organizations: Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Toledo Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and REDI Cincinnati/Cintrifuse. In addition, the Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) and Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA), and to the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, and presented it again to the Ohio EPA to be considered for inclusion in the trial run of the Ohio EPA questionnaire.

The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of WellToDo’s headquarters in Israel and met with the company’s CEO to review progress to date and plan future activities in Ohio. In addition, WellToDo’s CEO visited Ohio on 1/9/17 and met with Cleveland Water Alliance and with Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA). This visit and meeting arrangements were coordinated by the Initiative, and the Initiative’s leadership participated in all meetings. The Cleveland Water Alliance offered to introduce WellToDo to the Eaton Corp (which was not interested for the time being) and other potential opportunities.

The Initiative and the AGWA organization invited the company to attend Ohio’s Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) 2017 conference and tradeshow and give a presentation there, but eventually WellToDo could not attend.

Aquanos Ltd. Aquanos Ltd. (www.aquanos.net) of Shoshanat HaAmakim, Israel, provides a novel, algal-based wastewater treatment system characterized by a dramatically lower energy consumption compared to conventional wastewater treatment systems. It can be used for small-scale wastewater treatment situations such as small communities. The Initiative introduced Aquanos to the following Ohio economic development organizations: Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Toledo Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and REDI Cincinnati/Cintrifuse. In addition, the Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) and Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA).

Fluence Corp. (formerly Emefcy Ltd.) Fluence Corp. (formerly Emefcy Ltd.), (https://www.fluencecorp.com, formerly www.emefcy.com) based in Caesarea, Israel, is a new company for the Initiative. The company is a manufacturer of decentralized energy efficient, modular, quiet and odorless biological wastewater treatment systems for e.g., rural villages and small towns. The system is based on a Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactors (MABR) technology, which is especially suitable for decentralized wastewater treatment applications, utilizing the effluent (treated wastewater) for water reuse applications. The company’s wastewater treatment technologies can be applied to domestic type of sewage such as municipal and commercial applications. Its energy efficient systems are cost competitive relative to conventional alternatives with respect to both capital and operating expenses. The Spiral Aerobic Biofilm Reactor (SABRE) is a self-respiring, prefabricated modular unit for biological wastewater treatment. It reduces energy consumption as well as sludge production, relative to conventional aerobic processes. The company expressed interest in setting up systems in Ohio and finding a sales Rep for Ohio.

The Initiative contacted the company and spoke with the company’s then Co-founder/Managing Director/CEO and currently President of Products & Innovation/ Executive Director, then Vice President Sales and currently Global Vice President of Sales, and then Director of Sales, currently U.S. Sales Manager to learn more about their technology and interests in Ohio.

The Initiative invited the company to attend Ohio’s Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) 2017 conference and tradeshow but they could not attend.

The Initiative presented the company’s interest in finding an Ohio Rep to the following entities that would either be interested themselves or spread the word, and shared these contacts with Fluence: Cleveland Water Alliance, Akron Global Water Alliance, Exponent, the Ohio EPA, Stone Lab/OSU, OSU’s F2F (Field to Faucet), and Turnkey Leadership.

Ayala Water and Ecology Ayala Water and Ecology (www.ayala-aqua.com) is a new company for the Initiative. The company focuses on the development and application of phytotechnology-based ecological engineering solutions for water, soil and air pollution. They offer long-lasting natural biological systems (NBS) for the purification of water, soil and air in a sustainable way. The system, which is modular, removes environmental contaminants through the root system of plants, and can be applied to industrial waste, home waste, and water pollution. They offer tailored solutions. The system can be applied to small scale, rural wastewater treatment, to help with the septic tank failure problem in Ohio. The Initiative Program Director visited Ayala Water and Ecology’s headquarters in Moshav Zippori, Israel and met with its CEO & Founder. The company is interested in the U.S. market, and in setting up projects in Ohio. The Initiative started promoting the company to the water/CleanTech sectors in Ohio.

Neotop Water Systems Neotop Water Systems (www.neotopwater.com) is a new company for the Initiative. The company manufactures modular covers for ponds and water reservoirs to decrease evaporation from reservoirs and save water while limiting algal growth in the water and preserving water quality. The product is an innovative, designed sphere, which fills halfway when released into water. It can be used in water reservoirs to prevent and control harmful bluegreen algal blooms. The Initiative Program Director met with the CEO of the company in Israel. The company is interested in setting up a pilot in Ohio and entering the Ohio market. The Initiative started promoting the company to the aquaculture and water/CleanTech sectors in Ohio.

Ag Companies

Biofeed Biofeed (www.biofeed.co.il) of Kfar Truman, Israel, is a new company for the Initiative. The company developed a novel, slow fluid release (SFR) patented technology which enables harnessing the power of lure (e.g., pheromones) into highly effective, non-spraying, eco-friendly, sustainable pest control products (pesticide used is e.g., Deltamethrin). The development of a product is rapid and low-cost. It may be done within 6-18 months and under $3M budget per pest type (current technologies take about 10 years and $300M to develop a new pest control chemical product). The Biofeed patented technic has 2-10 times longer effectiveness period and

15 affects up to 10 times the area of alternative methods. The product, which is based on gravity rather than evaporation, is simple, economic, safe, effective (99% protection), with long efficacy, no chemical residues in the produce, and affects only the target organisms. Biofeed has a product for fruit fly control (e.g., Mediterranean fruit fly, Olive Fruit Fly), based on fruit fly attractants using an SFR formula and platform traps, and is selling this product in Israel. Biofeed continues to develop attractants for fruit flies. Biofeed is developing and producing a line of products using shelf lures for additional pests and markets (e.g. for Mosquitos). Markets include agriculture (fruit, crops, and greenhouses), gardens (urban, home), forestry, and healthcare (e.g., mosquitoes, flies). The company expressed interest in expanding activity to cover new markets and develop new product categories, outsourcing production activity, selling directly to local or regional distributers (e.g., pesticide distributors) that will be in charge of registration and marketing, and scientific cooperation, in all forms, with commercial companies as well as with government institutions, especially in the fields of slow release (SFR), chemistry and ecological chemistry. The Initiative reviewed the company, products and interest, and will pursue interests in Ohio once we can specific directions from the Israeli company.

GoHydro GoHydro (www.go-hydro.green) of Moshav Shdema, Israel, is a new company for the Initiative. The company designs top quality commercial hydroponics growing systems and offers turnkey hydroponics projects for urban agriculture and rooftop hydroponics, growing various vegetables, herbs, and lettuce. GoHydro offers growers the latest state-of-the-art stationary, automated and indoor hydroponics technology, as well as training and close support. The company expressed interest in setting up projects in Ohio. The Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of a facility in Mishmar Ayalon, Israel, and met with the company’s Co- Founder. The Initiative introduced the Israeli company to BioHio Research Park in Wooster, OH, as BioHio was looking for a greenhouse company for their Research Park and was communicating with several, but have not committed to any yet. The Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the following Ohio economic development organizations: Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Toledo Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and REDI Cincinnati/Cintrifuse. In addition, the Initiative introduced the Israeli company to Ohio’s Higher Ground Agriculture company.

Agam Greenhouse Energy Systems, Ltd. Agam Greenhouse Energy Systems, Ltd. (www.agam-energy.com, www.agam- greenhouses.com) of Hod HaSharon, Israel, designs, manufactures and sells heating and dehumidification systems for the horticulture greenhouse industry. The product, a VLHC, is a highly efficient, unique & revolutionary dehumidifying, filtering & heating system for greenhouses in cold and moderate climate conditions. The Initiative has been introducing the company in Ohio. The company’s U.S. Reps attended the Cultivate (OFA) 16 tradeshow in Columbus, OH, and took quite a few growers from the tradeshow to see the Agam machine which is installed in a greenhouse in Delaware, OH, and serves as the company’s Demo center in Ohio. The Initiative presented the company to the Dayton Development Coalition, and through them also to the Canadian company Golden FreshFarms that builds ta greenhouse in Wapakoneta, OH. In addition, the Initiative presented the company to The Scotts Miracle-Gro

Company. The Initiative also introduced to the company the new Ohio market niche of therapeutic Marijuana which became legal in Ohio.

Growing Smart, Ltd. Growing Smart, Ltd. (growing-smart.com) of Tel Aviv, Israel, is a project development and consultancy firm with integration capabilities, knowhow, and A to Z approach, providing knowledge and technology suitable for farmers, agriculture companies and investors interested in exploring new technologies, including a unique new greenhouse type suitable for Ohio’s climate. They also do greenhouse upgrading and turnkey greenhouses. The Initiative introduced the company to BioHio Research Park in Wooster, OH, as BioHio was looking for a greenhouse company for their Research Park and was communicating with several, but have not committed to any yet. The Initiative introduced the Israeli company to the following Ohio economic development organizations:Columbus2020, Dayton Development Coalition, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Toledo Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and REDI Cincinnati/Cintrifuse. In addition, the Initiative introduced the Israeli company to Ohio’s Higher Ground Agriculture company.

Netafim (+Arkal Industries, Dorot, ARI, Arad, ODIS) Netafim (www.netafim.com, www.netafimusa.com) of Kibbutz Hatzerim, Israel, offers drip irrigation products and water management solutions. The company is a global leader in the advancement of drip irrigation and a supplier of drip irrigation equipment for agriculture, greenhouses and nurseries. In the U.S. the company also represents and sells products by Arkal, Dorot, ARI, Arad and ODIS. The Initiative presented Netafim (+Arkal Industries, Dorot, ARI, Arad, ODIS) to the Dayton Development Coalition and to the Canadian company Golden FreshFarms that builds the greenhouse in Wapakoneta, OH.

Amiad Amiad (www.amiadusa.com, www.amiad.com, www.pepfilters.com) of Amiad, Israel, which represents Arkal, Filtomat, Amiad, and Pep offers water filtration systems for agriculture and irrigation, aquaculture, food & beverage, oil & gas, and water. The Initiative presented the company to the Dayton Development Coalition and to the Canadian company Golden FreshFarms that builds the greenhouse in Wapakoneta, OH.

Tefen Advanced Plastic Products Ltd. Tefen Advanced Plastic Products Ltd. (www.tefentech.com) of Kibbutz Nahsholim, Israel offers fertilizer injectors for agricultural and garden applications. The Initiative presented the company to the Dayton Development Coalition and to the Canadian company Golden FreshFarms that builds the greenhouse in Wapakoneta, OH.

Pelemix Ltd. Pelemix Ltd. (www.pelemix.com) of Kiryat Gat, Israel specializes in the production and marketing of coco coir based substrates for soil-less and hydroponics culture, based on coco coir, for professional growers in greenhouses; Coco coir for nurseries, mixing companies and potting soil companies; and Home gardening and DIY markets. Growing bags are for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, cut flowers, herbs and more. The Initiative presented the

17 company to the Dayton Development Coalition and to the Canadian company Golden FreshFarms that builds the greenhouse in Wapakoneta, OH.

Groundwork BioAg Ltd. Groundwork BioAg Ltd. (www.groundworkbioag.com) of Moshav Mazor, Israel, offers mycorrhizal inoculants for mainstream agriculture, to increase yield and reduce fertilizer use. The company is interested in selling to the U.S. market. The Initiative has been helping the company in Ohio, introducing them to both the Ohio Ag sector and the Ohio CleanTech sector (to reduce fertilizer runoff).

For the first time the company had a booth at the Farm Science Review 2016 tradeshow in London, OH, which was shared with the Initiative. The Initiative helped the company’s VP of R&D, the Ohio Rep of Groundwork, his assistants, and the Indiana Rep of the company who attended the event to promote Groundwork to attendees and exhibitors. Groundwork also participated in the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) 2017 tradeshow for the first time, with Groundwork’s Ohio Rep using the Initiative’s booth as a base. A number of Ohio farmers stopped at the booth, expressed interest in the Groundwork product, and offered to participate in future field trials for Groundwork. These farmers represented a variety of produce and crops such as fruit trees (apples), peppers, tomatoes, and pumpkins. In addition, a new potential distributor was identified, Grimes Horticulture, of Concord, OH, which can also do field trials. The Initiative invited Groundwork to attend Cultivate (OFA) 2017 and share the Initiative’s booth there, and the company’s Ohio Rep accepted.

The Initiative introduced Groundwork to the following Ohio economic development organizations: Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), Toledo Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and REDI Cincinnati/Cintrifuse. The Initiative also presented Groundwork to the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) and to the Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA). In addition, the Initiative introduced Groundwork to the Israeli Economic Mission to the Midwest in Chicago for input about other Midwest states.

As Groundwork expressed interest in applying for US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) funding via the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO)/Volcani in Israel to perform field trials of their Mycorrhizae on vegetables and was looking for an Ohio partner, the Initiative connected Groundwork with an expert at OSU South Centers in Piketon, OH so that they can submit a grant application together. The Initiative also connected Groundwork with a researcher at OSU OARDC in Wooster, OH, as Groundwork was interested in doing collaborative research under Ohio funding. In addition, the Initiative connected Groundwork with the Ohio and U.S Reps of Israel’s Netafim, as Groundwork expressed interest in doing R&D with Netafim in Ohio.

Groundwork Reps met with a researcher at OSU South Centers, Piketon, OH to discuss possibilities of field trials. The Initiative re-introduced Groundwork to Rupp Seeds Inc. of Wauseon, OH, for future field trials in both corn/soy and vegetables (e.g., pumpkins), as well as a potential distributor. Groundwork is interested in signing agreements with Ohio distributors

18 and are looking into several options (e.g., NovusAg, Landmark). The Initiative has been assisting Groundwork with such contacts.

As Groundwork was looking to enter the medical marijuana growers market, the Initiative connected Groundwork with SureToGrow and IGrow of Beachwood, OH, and Envirotech Cultivation Solutions, which is active in Ohio.

The Initiative followed up with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company of Marysville, OH. promoting Groundwork as a business opportunity for Scotts. Scotts tested the product by an independent lab and the results looked promising. Awaits further developments and decisions.

Groundwork continued to do field trials of their product in Ohio during the 2016 season with Ohio farmers, OSU researchers, and contract research organizations. Some of these trials were under contract, bringing income to the Ohio partners. These 2016 season field trials looked promising. One of the field trials done by an Ohio farmer had shown 30% corn yield improvement by using Groundwork’s Rootella product.

Groundwork’s top management visited Ohio throughout the year. In addition, the Initiative Program Director had a site visit and tour of Groundwork’s facility and lab in Israel and met with the company’s CEO, VP Sales and Marketing and VP R&D to review progress to date and plan future activities in Ohio.

Food Companies

Gad Dairy The Initiative continues to assist Gad Dairy (http://www.gad-dairy.com/en/) of Bat Yam, Israel’s Ohio based joint venture Ezra’s Dairy (www.ezrasdairy.com) which the Initiative has been instrumental in setting up. The company has been seeing a slight increase in sales of Ezra's Dairy feta, reformulated the feta to a firmer block that can be vacuum sealed in a pouch with no brine, and developing a label for the vacuum sealed in a pouch product. The objective is to move more product into venues that did not like the cup with brine packaging, to increase sales.

Livyatan Trading & Agriculture Products Ltd. Livyatan Trading & Agriculture Products Ltd. of Granot, Israel, with a meat processing facility in Moshav Beit Hanania, Israel, is a new company for the Initiative. The company is an importer, processor and distributor of high quality kosher fresh meat and meat products (e.g., hamburgers, hot dogs/sausages, meat patties), under the brand name “Eytan Meat Products”. Clients include wholesale/food service/institutional markets such as hotels, restaurants, delis, event halls, catering, etc. The company also has a store next to their manufacturing plant, where they sell their products and related products. The company expressed interest in importing from the U.S. high quality kosher certified Black Angus meat and specialty products that go with meat and processed meat, hamburgers, hot dogs/sausages, BBQ, etc. The Initiative presented to the Israeli company Ohio companies that make specialty products that might be of interest to them. As for kosher certified Black Angus meat, Ohio does not make it.

Ohio Organizations

Ohio Development Services Agency (DSA) The Initiative has an ongoing work relationship with DSA. DSA had asked the Initiative for help in recruitment efforts of Ohio food companies for the How to Successfully Enter Foreign Markets workshop to be presented by the Food Export Association for the Midwest and the Ohio DSA on 9/13/16 in Columbus, OH. The Initiative was invited to attend, be one of the workshop presenters, and to talk about the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative, trade opportunities with Israel, and how the Initiative can assist Ohio food manufacturers with the Israeli market. In order to help DSA in their recruitment efforts, the Initiative promoted the workshop to 50 Ohio food companies and 4 Ohio organizations that we work with, informing them about the workshop and encouraging them to attend. Through the Initiative’s efforts at least 1 Ohio food manufacturer signed up for the event and another Ohio food manufacturer and an Ohio organization expressed interest. DSA appreciated the Initiative’s assistance in promoting the event. The workshop was eventually cancelled.

DSA had asked the Initiative for help in recruitment efforts of Ohio food companies for the Food Export Association’s Natural Products Buyers Mission in conjunction with the Natural Products Expo in California in March 2017. There was no Israeli buyer in the International group of buyers at the Buyers Mission and the event did not take place in Ohio. Thus, the Initiative normally does not get involved in such events. However, to help DSA, the Initiative had referred DSA to 6 Ohio food manufacturers which the Initiative works with that might be interested in attending.

Historically, the Initiative has been helping the Ohio DSA with recruitment of Ohio food companies to attend the Midwest Food Buyers Mission which stops in Ohio (in Cleveland or Columbus) once every 2 years. The Initiative had also worked directly with the Israeli buyer attending the mission, preparing him/her for the visit and assisting during the Ohio visit. The Ohio DSA was handling the Ohio visit part of the Midwest Buyers Mission 2017 which is organized by the Midwest Food Export Association, and approached the Initiative for help. However, the Midwest Food Buyers Mission 2017, which was scheduled for July 2017, did not stop in Ohio but rather visited 3 other Midwest States.

The Initiative has been referring to the Ohio DSA Ohio companies which the Initiative identifies and works with and express an interest in export.

Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG) The Initiative has been working with the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG) on business opportunities with Israel, including business attraction. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Growing Smart, GoHydro, Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

Toledo Regional Growth Partnership The Initiative has been working with the Toledo Regional Growth Partnership on business opportunities with Israel, including business attraction. The Initiative has introduced to the

20 organization the following Israeli companies: Growing Smart, GoHydro, Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

Team NEO The Initiative has been working with Team NEO on business opportunities with Israel, including business attraction. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Growing Smart, GoHydro, Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

REDI Cincinnati and Cintrifuse The Initiative has been working with REDI Cincinnati and Cintrifuse on business opportunities with Israel, including business attraction. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Growing Smart, GoHydro, Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

Columbus2020 The Initiative has been working with Columbus2020 on business opportunities with Israel, including business attraction. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Growing Smart, GoHydro, Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

Dayton Development Coalition and Dayton Region Israel Trade Alliance (DRITA) The Initiative has been working with Dayton Development Coalition and Dayton Region Israel Trade Alliance (DRITA) on business opportunities with Israel, including business attraction. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Growing Smart, GoHydro, Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, Treatec21 Industries, Ltd., Agam Greenhouse Energy Systems Ltd., Netafim, Arkal Industries, Dorot, ARI, Arad, ODIS, Amiad, Tefen, and Pelemix. In addition, the Initiative introduced to the Dayton Development Coalition the Israeli agribusinesses which are showcased at the OSU South Centers Demo Unit in Piketon, OH.

The Dayton Development Coalition presented the Israeli horticulture companies and technologies to Golden Freshfarms which was building an hydroponic greenhouse in Wapakoneta, OH.

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber The Initiative has been working with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber on business opportunities with Israel, including business attraction. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Growing Smart, GoHydro, Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

The Initiative has been working with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber helping regional food manufacturers explore the Israeli market as a potential export destination. In addition, the Initiative has helped the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation with their planning of a Youngstown mission to Israel.

Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) The Initiative has been working with the Cleveland Water Alliance on introducing Israeli CleanTech products and technologies through the Cleveland Water Alliance to NE Ohio, Ohio and the Great Lakes region. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) The Initiative has been working with the Akron Global Water Alliance on introducing Israeli CleanTech products and technologies to the region. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: Groundwork BioAg Ltd., Aquanos Ltd., WellToDo, Bluegreen Water Technologies, and Treatec21 Industries, Ltd.

Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo The Initiative has been working with the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo on introducing Israeli CleanTech products and technologies to the region. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the following Israeli companies: WellToDo and Bluegreen Water Technologies.

Columbus Sister Cities The Initiative has been working with the Columbus Sister Cities and helped the organization with their planning of a visit to Herzlya, Israel which is the Columbus Sister Cities’ sister city in Israel and Kfar Saba, Israel, which is the Columbus Jewish Federation’s sister city in Israel.

BioHio The Initiative has been working with BioHio which was looking to attract a greenhouse operation to their campus. The Initiative has introduced to the organization the Israeli greenhouse company Growing Smart.

Cuyahoga County The Initiative assisted the Cuyahoga County administration in their planning of their mission to Israel.

Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, Ohio Corn Marketing Program, and Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program The Initiative has been working with the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, Ohio Corn Marketing Program, and Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program. The Initiative presented to the organization an update on export of grains from Ohio and the U.S. to Israel.

Drink Local Drink Tap The Initiative has been working with Drink Local Drink Tap. The Initiative gave to the organization information about an Israeli low-tech water treatment system.

U.S. Rep Marcia Fudge (OH-11) The Initiative met with Congressional Staff for U.S. Rep Marcia Fudge to review regional Ohio Urban Ag and what Israel has to offer.

Cuyahoga County OSU Extension The Initiative communicated with Cuyahoga County OSU Extension to learn about their local Urban Ag activities and present what Israel has to offer.

Israeli Organizations

The Government of Israel Economic Mission to the Midwest, Chicago The Initiative has been working with the Government of Israel Economic Mission to the Midwest in Chicago on projects of mutual interest. The Initiative presented to the group our Ohio-Israel activities in the Ag, Food and CleanTech sectors. The Economic Mission offered to look for Israeli companies and technologies that deal with environmental problems facing Ohio such as the issue of fertilizer runoff. The Economic Mission will also let the initiative know of any Israeli company in the food, Ag and CleanTech sectors interested in entering the U.S. market that we might be able to help and attract to Ohio and any Ohio company in these sectors that approaches them about exporting to Israel.

Israeli Consulate in Philadelphia The Initiative has been working with the Israeli Consulate in Philadelphia and assisting with their Ohio needs.

US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) The Initiative has been assisting US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) in Ohio. BARD approached the Initiative asking to help in announcing BARD 2017 funding cycle and in looking for potential Ohio applicants. The Initiative promoted BARD 2017 to Ohio researchers that we work with, including OSU researchers that study functional foods, bioenergy, horticulture, animal sciences, grains, natural rubber plants and aquaculture nutrition. In addition, the Initiative promoted BARD 2017 to top administration of various groups and departments at OSU, including OSU/OARDC, OSU/South Centers, OSU Extension, OSU Engineering, OSU Aquaculture program and OSU SeaGrant program. The entities that the Initiative has approached might be interested in the BARD themselves but were also asked to spread the word among their colleagues.

Upon receiving specific requests from Ohio entities, the Initiative refers them to BARD. Examples include referring Groundwork BioAg/Agricultural Research Organization (ARO)/Volcani in Israel and an expert at OSU South Centers in Piketon, OH to BARD regarding their interest to perform field trials of the Groundwork’s Mycorrhizae on vegetables and referring an expert at OSU South Centers in Piketon, OH to BARD for help with finding Israeli partner(s) for the field trials at OSU S. Centers.

Agricultural Research Organization (ARO)/Volcani The Initiative has been communicating with Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization (ARO)/Volcani on issues relating to ARO/Volcani and to the Friends of Volcani.

Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce The Initiative has been working with the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, introducing through them to the Israeli business community Ohio companies interested in entering the Israeli market.

The Initiative Program Director had a site visit at the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in Israel and met with the Business Development Executive at the International Relations Division of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in charge of the U.S. The Initiative Program Director introduced the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative program and discussed future collaboration with the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce. The Israeli Chambers of Commerce promised to work closely with the Initiative on Israeli Ag, Food and CleanTech companies that are members of the Chamber, are interested in the U.S. market, and willing to look at Ohio as a gateway. In addition, the Israeli Chambers of Commerce will help the Initiative in looking for Israeli importers/distributors that are members of the Chamber and might be interested in Ohio companies which expressed interest in entering the Israeli market.

U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv The Initiative has been working with the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, introducing through them to the Israeli business community Ohio food manufacturers interested in entering the Israeli market. The Initiative Program Director met in Israel with the Senior Agricultural Specialist, Foreign Agricultural Service at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv and with the Administrative Assistant of the program to discuss opportunities of collaboration with the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative on export of Ohio food products to Israel. The Initiative also presented to them 2 new Ohio food manufacturers that the Initiative was working with: Belmont Confections and JohnVince Foods. The Initiative reviewed past Midwest Food Association/Ohio DSA Food Buyers Missions to the Midwest U.S. in which Israeli food buyers came to Ohio to scout for food products, and what the Initiative’s role was, and discussed the planned Food Buyers’ Mission for 2017, which was expected to include Ohio, and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv’s expected role in nominating an Israeli food buyer to join the mission. The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv staff offered to help the Initiative in looking for Israeli importers for Ohio food manufacturers which are presented to them by the Initiative.

Specific Projects

Cattle Genetics The Initiative continued to support the Ohio to Israel cattle genetics project designed to help Israeli cattle ranchers in their quest for strengthening the genetics of their herds and improving their operations. The Initiative was involved in the process of getting a special import permit from Israel, and securing 5 Black Angus and 20 Texas Longhorn embryos from Ohio farms (Maplecrest Farms of Hillsboro, OH and Dickinson Cattle Co., Inc. of Barnesville, OH, respectively) and 14 Red Angus embryos from a U.S. breeder that were purchased by Israeli cattle ranchers and were then shipped to Israel by Ohio’s Select Sires company. The Initiative also oversaw the transfer of the previous batch, un-used 22 Ohio Red Angus embryos that were initially intended for Ramat Negev to AMBAL, Israel’s Cattle Breeders Association, and to be safely stored at Sion in Israel until ready to use. In addition, the Initiative was involved in the planning and logistics of the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle delegation which included an

Ohio vet and an Ohio cattle trader and in which the Initiative Program Director participated (see Missions and Delegations section). 41 of the 61 available embryos were transplanted at the Gilboa Forest Ranch Farm during this visit.

Started planning and working on the logistics of the next, Sept. 2017, Ohio cattle delegation to Israel.

CleanTech The Initiative continues to work on the CleanTech sector, presenting Israeli CleanTech companies and technologies to Ohio. In the previous FY the Initiative presented 5 Israeli companies to Ohio. In this FY the Initiative presented 5 additional Israeli CleanTech companies to Ohio. The Initiative continues to promote all CleanTech companies in Ohio and search for additional ones. The Initiative keeps communicating with the Ohio EPA to make sure it is aware of the Israeli CleanTech technologies and to consider taking these companies through the Battelle questionnaire / vetting process. Drinking water cleanup companies (including nutrients and algae issues) will be handled by the Ohio EPA’s Division of Drinking Water, and wastewater treatment system companies will be handled by the Ohio EPA’s Division of Surface Water.

First group of Israeli CleanTech companies: For small scale, rural wastewater treatment, to help with the septic tank failure problem: ● Treatec21 Industries, Ltd. (http://treatec21.com/) – For small scale wastewater treatment system instead of the failing septic tanks. ● Aquanos (www.aquanos.net) - A novel, algal-based wastewater treatment system characterized by dramatically lower energy consumption compared to conventional wastewater treatment systems. It can be used for small-scale wastewater treatment situations such as small communities. To reduce fertilizer runoff: ● Groundwork BioAg Ltd. (www.groundworkbioag.com) – For using less fertilizer, thus reducing fertilizer/phosphorus runoff. To prevent and control harmful bluegreen algal blooms: ● BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. (www.bgtechs.com) – Biocide treatment of harmful bluegreen algae to prevent harmful algal bloom . To reduce Nitrates in water: ● WellToDo Ltd. (http://welltodo.co.il/) - An economical, environmentally-friendly technology for cleaning Nitrate contaminated water by converting Nitrate to a non-polluting compound using a physical-chemical process.

Second group of Israeli CleanTech companies: For small scale, rural wastewater treatment, to help with the septic tank failure problem: ● Fluence Corp. (formerly Emefcy Ltd.) (www.fluencecorp.com) – Fluence Corp. develops and provides advanced, energy efficient, modular, quiet and odorless biological wastewater treatment systems especially suitable for decentralized wastewater treatment applications such as rural villages and small towns. ● Ayala Water and Ecology (www.ayala-aqua.com) - The company focuses on the development and application of phytotechnology-based ecological engineering solutions for

water, soil and air pollution. They offer long-lasting natural biological systems (NBS) for the purification of water, soil and air in a sustainable way. The system, which is modular, removes environmental contaminants through the root system of plants, and can be applied to industrial waste, home waste, and water pollution. They offer tailored solutions. To reduce fertilizer runoff: ● Netafim (www.netafim.com, www.netafimusa.com) - Drip irrigation products and water management solutions. A global leader in the advancement of drip irrigation and a supplier of drip irrigation equipment for agriculture, greenhouses and nurseries. Products are by Israel’s Netafim, Arkal, Dorot, ARI, ODIS and Arad. Drip irrigation is a targeted approach to irrigation, which applies less water and as a result reduces amount of excess water in the field, which helps reduce fertilizer runoff. ● Tefen Flow & Dosing Technology (www.tefentech.com) - Fertilizer injectors for agricultural and garden applications. Fertigation technology takes advantage of drip irrigation, where calculated amounts of fertilizers are added to the irrigation system and result in directed fertilization through the drippers while applying less fertilizer than the amounts used in conventional applications. To prevent and control harmful bluegreen algal blooms: ● Neotop Water Systems (www.neotopwater.com) - Neotop Water Systems manufactures modular covers for ponds and water reservoirs to decrease evaporation from reservoirs and save water while limiting algal growth in the water and preserving water quality. The product is an innovative, designed sphere, which fills halfway when released into water.

Green Industry The Initiative Program Director met with OSU-Extension Green Industry researcher based at OSU/OARDC to discuss reunion of the Initiative’s 2008 Ohio Green Industry mission to Israel to discuss future Ohio-Israel plans for the group.

Workshops, Seminars, Tradeshows and Conferences

Presentations in Workshops and Seminars

In Ohio

Doing business with Israel

Food Industry Roundtable – The Initiative Program Director gave a presentation at the 5/10/17 Food Industry Roundtable of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber in Youngstown, OH, describing the OIAI Program and presenting Ohio to Israel export opportunities. Event attendees included reps of regional food manufacturing and service companies and members of regional economic development organizations.

Agriculture, Horticulture, Drip Irrigation

Ohio Hops Field Night – The Ohio Hops Field Night workshop took place on 8/16/16 at OSU South Centers in Piketon, OH. The workshop was presented by Brad Bergefurd of OSU Extension at South Centers’, in the classroom and the field. The Initiative Program Director

26 attended the event and gave a presentation about the Initiative and the OSU South Centers Demo Unit which is supported by the Initiative. Reps of Israeli Ag companies showcased at the Demo Unit were invited by the Initiative to join. The Rep of Israel’s fertigation company Tefen, which is represented in the U.S. by DEMA Engineering, selling the MixRite fertigation systems attended the event and gave a technical presentation about fertigation and the MixRite system. In addition, the owner of Columbus Irrigation Company LLC, based in Ashland, OH, who is a distributor of Tefen (MixRite), gave a presentation, and promoted Tefen’s MixRite product.

Northwest Ohio Hops Field Night – The Northwest Ohio Hops Field Night workshop took place on 8/18/16 at the Agricultural Incubator Foundation in Bowling Green, OH and was sponsored by the Ag Incubator Foundation Center at Bowling Green and CIFT. The workshop was presented by Brad Bergefurd of OSU Extension South Centers who also spoke on behalf of the Initiative. Topics covered included irrigation and fertigation, and, thus, Israeli technologies/companies which are showcased at the Initiative supported Demo Unit at OSU South Centers were presented.

Pumpkin Field Night – The Pumpkin Field Night workshop took place on 9/15/16 at OSU South Centers in Piketon, OH, in conjunction with OSU South Centers’ 25th Anniversary celebration. The workshop was presented by Brad Bergefurd, OSU Extension South Centers, in the classroom and the field. Topics covered included Israeli drip irrigation management. The field presentation showcased the use of Netafim drip irrigation system and Tefen (MixRite) fertigation system. The Initiative Program Director attended the event and gave a presentation about the Initiative and the Initiative supported OSU South Centers Demo Unit. In addition, Israel’s Netafim company Rep, who was invited by the Initiative and works for Netafim USA, the company that represents 6 Israeli drip irrigation related companies, attended the event and gave a technical presentation about drip irrigation and the respective Israeli products.

Strawberry Field Night - The Strawberry Field Night workshop took place on 5/25/17 at OSU South Centers, Piketon, OH. Topics included Israeli drip irrigation demonstration and management and fertigation and nitrogen management. The workshop was presented by Brad Bergefurd of OSU Extension South Centers, in the classroom and the field. The Initiative Program Director participated in the workshop and presented the Initiative, its activities and opportunities with Israel. A regional Rep of Israel’s Groundwork BioAg, who was invited by the initiative to participate, attended the event (with the second Ohio company Rep) and gave a presentation about the Groundwork product and how it can improve crop yield.

Hops Field Day - The Hops Field Day workshop took place on 6/15/17 at OSU South Centers, Piketon, OH. The workshop was presented by Brad Bergefurd, OSU Extension South Centers, Piketon, OH, in the classroom and the field. Topics included irrigation and fertilization, and therefore Israeli systems that deal with drip irrigation and fertigation were showcased.

The Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative and its Activities

Negev Foundation Mission to Israel – Review – The Initiative Program Director gave a presentation titled Negev Foundation Mission to Israel – Review, describing the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative program and activities in general, and the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative /Negev

Foundation/Ohio Jewish Communities organized Ohio Legislative Trade & Development Mission to Israel in 2015. The presentation took place at the 7/13/16 Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC) Annual Meeting in Columbus, OH.

CleanTech

The CEO of BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. gave a presentation about BlueGreen Water Technologies’ product and applications at Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) 2017 conference and tradeshow in Akron, OH on 6/1/17.

Kosher Issues

Kosher Certification and Marketing Seminars - The Initiative started planning the upcoming Kosher Certification and Marketing Seminars scheduled for 10/19/17 in Cleveland and 10/24/17 in Columbus. The Initiative made arrangements with Rabbis of the Columbus based Buckeye Kosher to be key speakers in the seminars and secured a location for the Columbus seminar.

Participation in Workshops, Seminars, Tradeshows and Conferences

In Ohio

OFA 2016 (Cultivate16) OFA 2016 (Cultivate16) International Horticulture tradeshow (www.cultivate16.org) took place in Columbus, OH, on July 10-12, 2016. Cultivate16 is the largest all-industry horticulture event and tradeshow in North America, with over 130 educational sessions, and network opportunities. There are more than 8 acres of tradeshow exhibits by over 600 exhibitors, including technology, new products & services, and new plant varieties. About 10,000 professionals representing all segments of the industry from all 50 U.S. states and about 24 other countries attend the show.

The Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative had a shared booth at the tradeshow. The Initiative’s Program Director attended the tradeshow and met with representatives of Ohio horticulture companies to promote export from Ohio to Israel. Various Israeli horticulture companies had booths in the tradeshow, including some that had been represented by OIAI in previous OFA tradeshows, and others that the Initiative has been helping with their Ohio market promotion. In addition, Reps of other Israeli horticulture companies attended the show without having a booth.

The Initiative’s Rep met with the representatives of the Israeli companies to offer further assistance in Ohio, for updates and follow-ups, to ask for replenishing of the equipment that was donated by Israeli companies to the OSU South Centers Israel drip irrigation and horticulture Demo Unit, and to invite Israeli company Reps to participate in the OSU South Centers workshops where Israeli horticulture technology is showcased and discussed.

A Rep of a new Israeli hydroponics company had asked the Initiative to introduce his company, GoHydro, to the Ohio market. The owners of an Israeli company, Kamel Dawahry & Sons, Ltd., that manufactures and markets plastic pots asked for help with their marketing efforts in the U.S.

28 market. An Ohio hydroponics company, CropKing, expressed potential interest in future export of their systems to Israel.

Farm Science Review 2016 Farm Science Review 2016 agricultural tradeshow took place at Ohio State University’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, OH on September 20-22, 2016. The tradeshow, known as Ohio’s premier agricultural event, is a 3-day event for everything agricultural. It featured field demonstrations and 180 educational presentations, and showcased about 4000 product lines from more than 630 exhibitors. The tradeshow attracted 125,790 farmers, growers, producers and agricultural enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Canada.

The Initiative had a booth at FSR 2016, which was shared with the Israeli company Groundwork BioAg. Groundwork BioAg was represented at the show by their Israeli VP of R&D, as well as the company’s Ohio and Indiana Reps and 2 Ohio assistants. The Initiative, which promotes Groundwork BioAg in Ohio, helped the company with Ohio connections at the tradeshow.

In addition, Initiative staff met with Ohio farmers and other professionals from academia, agricultural associations, and various agribusinesses, and promoted Ohio-Israel trade opportunities and ongoing Initiative activities.

Two other Israeli companies were showcased at FSR 2016 – Netafim (by GF Ackerman Company, Curtice, OH, a distributor of Netafim) and Tefen/MixRite (by Columbus Irrigation Company LLC, Ashland, OH, a distributor of Tefen/MixRite).

Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) 2017 Congress and Tradeshow The Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative (OIAI) attended the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) 2017 Congress and Tradeshow (http://www.opgma.org/?q=congress), which took place on 1/16-18/17 in Sandusky, OH. This is the largest gathering of fruit and vegetable growers and farm market owners in Ohio. This convention and marketplace brought together about 400 produce growers, marketers and experts to share ideas, find products and services to help their business, and network with colleagues. About 41 Ohio and U.S. industry suppliers and organizations exhibited at the tradeshow to showcase the latest in produce varieties, equipment, products, and services. Attendees saw some of the latest innovations designed to help businesses grow and become more profitable.

OIAI had a booth at the OPGMA 2017 tradeshow, where a video program about Israel’s agriculture and Ag innovations was shown. Information about the 13 Israeli Ag companies which are showcased at OSU South Centers in Piketon, OH was made available to booth visitors. The Initiative rep promoted OIAI’s activities and looked for Ohio companies interested in exploring export opportunities to Israel. In addition, the Initiative displayed and promoted Ezra’s Dairy creamy Feta cheese. The Feta Cheese is a product of the Initiative-assisted joint venture between Israel’s Gad Dairy and Ohio’s Troyer Specialty Foods, Inc. (TSF), which is manufactured at the facilities of Bunker Hill Cheese Co., Inc. of Millersburg, OH, where Heini’s cheese is produced.

The Initiative hosted at its booth Israel’s Groundwork BioAg, and along with Groundwork’s Ohio Rep and his assistant, promoted Groundwork’s product and field trial opportunities to

29 regional farmers and potential distributors. A video explaining Groundwork’s product, its activity and advantages, was shown at the booth, and literature about the company was available to booth visitors.

Outcome: Israel’s Groundwork BioAg ● A number of Ohio farmers stopped at the booth, expressed interest in the Groundwork product, and offered to participate in future field trials for Groundwork. These farmers represented a variety of produce and crops such as fruit trees (apples), peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins. ● A new potential distributor was identified - Grimes Horticulture, of Concord, OH. They can also do field trials. ● The Initiative re-introduced Groundwork to Rupp Seeds Inc. of Wauseon, OH, for future field trials in both corn/soy and vegetables (e.g., pumpkins), as well as a potential distributor. ● Groundwork Reps met with Brad Bergefurd of OSU South Centers, Piketon, OH to discuss possibilities of field trials. Israel’s BioFeed ● The Initiative identified several OSU researchers that can test Biofeed’s pest control products, as well as received a referral to an Ohio company that might be interested in collaborating with Israel’s BioFeed. Ohio’s Fred’s Water Service, Inc. ● Fred’s Water Service, Inc. of Madison, OH is still interested in the Israeli market.

Erie Hack Water Innovation Summit 2017 Erie Hack Water Innovation Summit 2017 (http://eriehack.io/summit/), presented by the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), took place on 5/2-3/17 at the Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland, OH. The event included keynote speakers, expert panels, breakout discussions, and technical workshops focused on the various sectors of the burgeoning Blue Economy in the Great Lakes Region and across the world. The Summit featured experts who discussed the importance of water technology and innovation. The Summit explored the role of new technologies, innovation and collaboration (six cities, two countries) as part of an eco- system approach to generate enduring solutions to Lake Erie’s biggest challenges. The Erie Hack Summit was an extension of the effort of the CWA’s work which is resulting in new ideas, new start-ups and real economic development around freshwater issues that can serve as a global model. The Summit brought together some of the world’s leading minds in water innovation and technology, including experts from NASA, regional and national water utilities and large corporations such as GE and IBM. In addition, the event featured top entrepreneurs, philanthropists, watershed managers, elected officials and more. The Water Innovation Summit also featured the Erie Hack finalists. The 9 teams that advanced from competitions in the six partner cities, Cleveland, Detroit, Buffalo, Toledo, Erie (PA), and Windsor (Ontario, CA), presented their solutions to significant challenges facing Lake Erie. There were close to 250 participants, representing technologists, industry, community members, regional leaders, entrepreneurs, utilities, funders, students, watershed managers, researchers, elected officials, public sector, and municipalities.

The Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative attended the event, and promoted the 2017 Ohio to Israel Watec Mission by talking to various participants and presenting the mission verbally, handing out the mission flyers to all, and arranging for other parties to disseminate the information about the upcoming mission to their membership. In his talk, the Ohio EPA Deputy Director mentioned Israel as a source of innovative water technologies and a destination for Ohioans.

Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) 2017 Conference and Tradeshow Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) 2017 Conference and Tradeshow took place on 5/31- 6/1/17 at the University of Akron in Akron, OH. This year’s conference title was “U.S.A. Water Conference 2017: Toxins, Treatments and Tomorrow's Technologies”. The Initiative helped AGWA promote the event to 8 Israeli companies dealing with water technologies that the Initiative works with. Out of the 4 Israeli companies that considered attending (WellToDo, Treatec21 Industries, Ltd., BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd., and Groundwork BioAg Ltd.), Israel’s BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. and Groundwork BioAg Ltd. signed up. Groundwork BioAg Ltd. had sent its Ohio Rep and his assistant, who networked with conference and tradeshow participants and had an opportunity to present their company and product in the Q&A session. BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. CEO attended the event and gave a presentation about the company’s technology and product. He was looking for potential U.S. partners and clients, had networked with event participants to that end, and the Initiative had also introduced him to some key people in the industry, including the U.S. EPA. A third Israeli company which is a new company to the Initiative, FluidSens International, Inc., had a booth at the tradeshow, and was represented by its Managing Partner & CEO and Chief Operating Officer (COO). FluidSens International, Inc. expressed interest in finding an OH/U.S. Rep for their product, and the Initiative had connected the company with a potential Ohio Rep. The Initiative Program Director attended the event and promoted the upcoming September 2017 Watec Mission to Israel.

Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) 2017 Summer Tour and Tradeshow The Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) 2017 Summer Tour and Tradeshow took place on 6/28/17 in Urbana, OH. The Initiative Program Director attended the event, promoted the Initiative, its activities and the upcoming Water Mission to Israel, networked with other participants and visited the tradeshow.

OFA 2017 (Cultivate 2017) Cultivate (OFA) 2017 International Horticulture tradeshow (www.cultivate17.org) will take place in Columbus, OH, on July 16-18, 2017. The Initiative arranged to have a shared booth at the tradeshow and will attend. The objectives of attending the tradeshow are to invite Reps of Israeli irrigation and fertigation companies to participate in the workshops at the OSU South Centers Demo Unit at Piketon, OH; to meet with Israeli companies to ask for sales info; to promote the September 2017 CleanTech Mission to Israel; and to look for Israeli companies interested in help with entering the Ohio/U.S. market and Ohio companies interested in the Israeli market.

Missions and Delegations

Israel to Ohio

WellToDo WellToDo’s CEO visited Ohio on 1/9/17 and met with the leadership of Cleveland Water Alliance and Akron Global Water Alliance.

Groundwork Groundwork’s VP R&D visited Ohio during the week of 9/20/2016 for technical development, meetings and participation in Ohio’s FSR 2016 tradeshow. Groundwork’s VP of Sales visited Ohio for meetings for a day during the week of 11/3/16.

Gilboa Forest Cattle Ranch Erez Cahaner of Gilboa Forest Cattle Ranch visited Ohio in January 2017 and again in February 2017 to meet with Ohio cattle breeders and discuss plans for the next phase of the Ohio to Israel beef cattle embryos project. Erez then visited Ohio in June 2017 to meet with Ohio’s Shamrock Vale Farms cattle rancher/breeder.

BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd.’s CEO visited Ohio on 5/31/17-6/1/17 to attend the Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) 2017 conference and tradeshow in Akron, OH, give a presentation at the event, and meet with potential clients and partners.

Israel Minister of Agriculture Ohio Visit Israel Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Honorable Uri Ariel, was planning to visit Ohio on 5/23-24/17 with a delegation from Israel. The Initiative along with the Ohio Jewish Communities took a lead in planning the events for his visit and inviting people to attend. The Israeli Consulate in NY was also involved. The visit was canceled at the last minute.

Ohio to Israel

November 2016 Ohio to Israel Cattle Delegation A small Ohio delegation that included Ohio’s Mary “Em” Mowrer, DVM, of Stonehouse Veterinary Service LLC in St. Clairsville, OH, Larry Baker, owner of Baker Livestock & Horse Transport LLC in Greenville, OH, and Sarah Horowitz, OIAI Program Director, visited Israel in November 2016. Ryan Ludvigson of Ludvigson Stock Farms in Billings, MT, an expert on Red Angus, joined the delegation. The purpose of the visit was to learn about Israel’s herd development needs; to oversee the transplanting of Ohio Black Angus, Ohio Texas Longhorn, and mostly Ohio Red Angus embryos into Israeli recipient cows to enrich the genetic pool of the Israeli cattle herds; and to help the local Israeli cattle ranchers and vets in improving the embryo transplant efficiency. The delegation was hosted by Erez and Katcha Cahaner of the Gilboa Forest Cattle Ranch and by Thierry Moens of Moshav Neot Golan, who is the Director of the Golan Heights Pastures cooperative. The delegation visited cattle ranches in the Galilee and the Golan Heights and Arik Sharon’s farm in the South of Israel.

Embryo transplantations were performed at the Gilboa Forest Ranch. Out of 80 donor cows that were synchronized to be in heat for the procedure 41 cows were in heat, and those were the ones that were transplanted. 41 Red Angus, Black Angus and Texas Longhorn embryos out of the 61 that were available, were transplanted – 5 Black Angus embryos, 15 old and 14 new Red Angus embryos, and 7 Texas Longhorn.

12 Israeli Vets (including 4 from Sion) were present. In addition, Ohio’s Select Sires/Worldwide Sires’ Israeli Rep (Piryon Genetics) came to meet the delegation. Visitors included ranchers from various cattle farms, AMBAL (Israel Cattle Growers Association)’s CEO, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) & Director of Veterinary Services at Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Israel’s past Ag Attaché to the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC and currently the Executive Director/Business Development of Israel’s LR Group, and the Senior Agricultural Specialist, Foreign Agricultural Service at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv and his assistant.

As a result, the Israeli hosts plan to order more cattle embryos from Ohio and to invite Ohio Vets to come to Israel to oversee the next round of embryo transplantation as well as to give a training workshop to Israeli vets on the subject.

In the Media - November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle delegation • An article titled “Cattle Connection for Ohio, Israel”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, was written by Erik Martin and published in the Times- Gazette on 12/8/16. • An article titled “Israeli Importation of Texas Longhorns”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, focusing on the Ohio embryos of the Texas Longhorn breed, which is better suited for the hotter, dryer Israeli climate and protection from predators, was written by Darol Dickinson and published in the Morning Ag Clips on 12/14/16. • A write-up titled “American Babies to be Born in Israel – Citizenship Concerns Raised”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, focusing on the transplantation of Ohio embryos in Israeli cattle and future plans, was written by Oren Shaked, Senior Agricultural Specialist at the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, and published in the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s GAIN (Global Agricultural Information Network) Report’s Tid Bits for November 2016 –Israel on 12/2/16. • An article titled “Israeli Importation of Texas Longhorns”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, focusing on the Ohio embryos of the Texas Longhorn breed, which is better suited for the hotter, dryer Israeli climate and protection from predators, was written by Darol Dickinson and published by Brian Allmer in the BARN OnAir & OnLine on 12/16/16. • An article titled “Israeli Importation of Texas Longhorns”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, focusing on the Ohio embryos of the Texas Longhorn breed, which is better suited for the hotter, dryer Israeli climate and protection from predators, was written by Darol Dickinson and issued as a Press Release by the Dickinson Cattle Co., Inc. on 12/14/16.

• An article titled “Cattle Connection for Ohio, Israel”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, was written by Erik Martin and published in the The Daily Advocate on 12/1/16. • An article titled “Ohioans Oversee Sale of Beef Genetics to Grow Israeli Herd”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, was written by Celeste Baumgartner and published in Farm World on 12/7/16. • An article titled “Israeli Cattle Ranchers Seek Out Ohio Genetics”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, was written by Catie Noyes and published in Farm and Dairy on 12/28/16. • An article titled “Ohio's strong livestock genetics shine through Israel trade mission”, describing the November 2016 Ohio to Israel cattle embryos delegation, was written by Joel Penhorwood and published in the Ohio Country Journal / Ohio Ag Net in the Mid-January 2017 edition on 1/12/17. • An article titled “Have you herd about Ohio cattle stock in Israel?”, describing the Ohio to Israel beef cattle embryo project and the November 2016 Ohio to Israel delegation, was written by Carlo Wolff and published in the Cleveland Jewish News (CJN) on 2/14/17.

November 2016 OIAI Program Director Israel visit The Initiative Program Director visited Israel in November 2016 and had site visits and meetings with Israeli companies and organizations regarding the Initiative’s Ag, Food, and CleanTech projects and activities. CleanTech companies which OIAI is in the process of presenting to Ohio: ● Groundwork BioAg – Site visit and meeting - Tour of the facility (greenhouses and lab), meetings with the company’s CEO, VP Sales and Marketing and VP R&D, and discussions and update on field trials in Ohio, potential Ohio distributors, R&D collaboration with OSU, and progress with Ohio’s The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. ● WellToDo – Site visit and meeting – Had a tour of the facility at WellToDo’s headquarters in Shahak Industrial Zone and met with the company’s CEO. The WellToDo system deals with municipal drinking water, industrial wastewater, and agricultural waste (e.g., dairy farm wastewater). WellToDo’s current U.S. activity includes demo/pilot systems with American Water and BIRD in NJ and IL, and with Nevada’s WaterStart and Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) in Las Vegas. Reviewed the situation with the Ohio EPA/Battelle process of vetting Israeli CleanTech companies. The company’s CEO is interested in the process and will be willing to participate in the trial run of the questionnaire. ● BlueGreen Water Technologies – Had a meeting at Mevo Beitar with BlueGreen Water Technologies’ CEO. Discussed current status and future plans of BlueGreen Water Technologies in Ohio, including upcoming conferences and tradeshows. Reviewed opportunities with P&G, Ohio EPA, and regional economic development organizations. The company is now moving towards commercialization of the product in different territories around the world, including the U.S., and is looking for business opportunities with local players. ● Treatec21 – Had a meeting at Treated21’s headquarters in Herzlya with Treated21’s CEO and VP Business Development, followed by a site visit at a Treatec21 operating facility in Luzit. Discussed opportunities in Ohio. CleanTech companies which OIAI is considering to present to Ohio:

● Ayala Water and Ecology – Visited Ayala Water and Ecology’s headquarters in Moshav Zippori and met with its CEO and Founder. The company focuses on the development and application of phytotechnology-based ecological engineering solutions for water, soil and air pollution. They offer long-lasting natural biological systems (NBS) for the purification of water, soil and air in a sustainable way. The system, which is modular, removes environmental contaminants through the root system of plants, and can be applied to industrial waste, home waste, and water pollution. They offer tailored solutions. The company is interested in the U.S. market, and in setting up projects in Ohio. Presented the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative and will work with the company as it relates to the Ohio market. ● Neotop Water Systems – Met with the CEO of Neotop Water Systems of Tel Aviv. The company manufactures modular covers for ponds and water reservoirs to decrease evaporation from reservoirs and save water while limiting algal growth in the water and preserving water quality. The product is an innovative, designed sphere, which fills halfway when released into water. The company is interested in setting up a pilot in Ohio and entering the Ohio market. Explained the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative. The Initiative will present the company in Ohio. Hydroponics/Greenhouse companies which OIAI is in the process of presenting to Ohio: ● GoHydro – Had a site visit at a newly constructed GoHydro hydroponic greenhouse in Mishmar Ayalon and met with the co-founder of GoHydro. The Initiative will continue to introduce GoHydro throughout Ohio. Economic Development companies and organizations - Visits and meetings: ● U.S. Embassy – Met with the Senior Agricultural Specialist, Foreign Agricultural Service at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv and with the Administrative Assistant of the program. Discussed opportunities of collaboration with the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative on export of Ohio food products to Israel. Presented two new Ohio food manufacturers that the Initiative is working with (Belmont Confections and JohnVince Foods). Presented and explained the past Food Association/DSA buyers’ missions to the Midwest U.S. in which Israeli food buyers came to Ohio to scout for food products, and what the Initiative’s role was. Discussed the planned food buyers’ mission for 2017, which is expected to include Ohio again, and what the Senior Agricultural Specialist’s role is expected to be. The Senior Agricultural Specialist and his assistant will help the Initiative in looking for Israeli importers for Ohio food manufacturers which are presented by the Initiative. ● Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce –Visited the offices of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce and met with the new Business Development Executive at the International Relations Division of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in Tel Aviv. Introduced the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative program and discussed future collaboration with the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce. The Business Development Executive will work closely with the Initiative on Israeli Ag, Food and CleanTech companies that are members of the Chamber, are interested in the U.S. market, and willing to look at Ohio as a gateway. In addition, the Business Development Executive will help the Initiative in looking for Israeli importers/distributors that are members of the Chamber and might be interested in Ohio companies which expressed interest in entering the Israeli market. ● LR Group - Met with the Executive Director - Business Development, Agriculture Division at LR Group of Herzlya and Israel’s past Ag Attaché to the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC. Reviewed current projects and future plans of the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative. The Executive Director - Business Development offered his help as needed.

Ohio to Israel Watec 2017 Delegation, September 2017 Worked on the planning, promotion, recruitment, itinerary and logistics of the upcoming September 2017 Ohio to Israel Watec 2017 delegation that will include attending Watec Israel 2017 Conference and Tradeshow in Tel Aviv, Israel, as well as professional site visits at water and wastewater facilities and companies throughout the country. Prepared a database of people, companies and organizations to invite to join the mission. Gathered information about the Watec Israel 2017 Conference and Tradeshow, including speakers, program and exhibitors. Prepared a list of Israeli CleanTech companies and facilities to offer as site visits to the delegation. Prepared an initial Itinerary. Communicated with Jerusalem Tours, an Ohio-based travel agency, regarding pricing, itinerary and logistics. Communicated with the Manager of Water Technologies at The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute and with the Director of Business & Trade Development, Economic Mission to the U.S. Midwest Region, Government of Israel Ministry of Economy in Chicago regarding the Ohio delegation, Watec 2017 and professional site visits at CleanTech facilities in Israel. Prepared a printed brochure and an e- flyer with detailed info about the mission for use in promotional efforts to recruit participants. Prepared a registration form for sign-up to the mission. Promoted the mission to specific, targeted Ohio people, companies, organizations and the legislature. Promoted the mission at Ohio events such as the Erie Hack Summit organized by the Cleveland Water Alliance and the Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA) U.S.A. Water Conference 2017 on Toxins, Treatments and Tomorrow's Technologies. Worked on mission promotion through partner Ohio organizations and companies, including SplashLink, Water Management Association of Ohio, Akron Global Water Alliance (AGWA), the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF), the Ohio EPA, the U.S. EPA in Ohio, and the Youngstown/Warren Chamber of Commerce. Did a direct e-blast of mission promotion to people in the database that we have created and direct calling. Then communicated with people that expressed interest in the mission.

Ohio House of Representatives Business & Trade Development Mission to Israel, November 7-16, 2017 The Initiative was asked to arrange for the Ag and CleanTech sectors site visits of the Ohio House of Representatives Business & Trade Development Mission to Israel, which will take place on November 7-16, 2017. The initiative participated in planning meetings and conference calls with the Ohio Jewish Communities and the Cleveland Jewish Federation regarding the mission. The Initiative then made initial arrangements for the delegation to visit the following Ag and CleanTech sites/facilities in Israel: ● Fluence Corp. (formerly EmEfCy) which has an innovative facility for decentralized / rural community wastewater treatment (small scale system) at Moshav HaYogev. ● Eden Research Station & Valley of Springs R&D, in the Valley of Springs, which is one of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture Ag R&D campuses. ● Gilboa Forest Cattle Ranch, which is a cattle ranch on the Gilboa Mountain, where the embryo transplantation part of the Initiative’s Ohio to Israel cattle genetics project took place.

Demonstration of Israeli Technologies and Products for Enhanced Farm Efficiency and Food Safety

The initiative continues to support existing demonstrations of Israeli technologies and products for enhanced farm efficiency and food safety and encourages more Israeli companies to demonstrate their products in Ohio.

Examples of Israeli Technology Demonstration in Ohio:

Demo Unit at OSU S. Centers The Initiative continued to support the OSU S. Centers horticulture Demo Unit where 13 Israeli Agribusinesses are showcased through literature, demo, and field trials (see Appendix A). The Initiative continued to assist OSU South Centers in promoting their training workshops where Israeli Ag companies and systems are presented. The Initiative invited Reps of some Israeli Agribusiness companies (e.g., Netafim, Tefen, Amiad, and Groundwork) to attend the workshops and give presentations about their respective systems. The Initiative Program Director attended these training seminars to promote the Initiative and opportunities with Israel (See the Workshops section for specific seminars presented). The Initiative keeps in direct communication with Israeli company Reps and the OSU South Centers staff in charge of the Demo Unit to make sure the systems are in working order. Any replacements or additions are then donated by the Israeli companies to the Demo Unit. Key targeted companies are Netafim, Amiad, Tefen and Pelemix.

Demo of Agam’s Greenhouse Dehumidifier Agam Greenhouse Energy Systems Ltd. (www.agam-greenhouses.com) is an Israeli manufacturer of a highly efficient, unique and revolutionary dehumidifying, filtering & heating system for greenhouses in cold and moderate climate conditions. With the Initiative’s assistance, Agam had installed its greenhouse dehumidifying and heating system in a Delaware, OH greenhouse, where it is used commercially. This location continues to serve as a demo site for Ohio farmers where the dehumidifiers are showcased to review the advantage of the machines in cold weather environments such as Ohio.

OSU Demo of Afimlik Milking Parlor Technology S.A.E. Afikim (Afimilk) (www.afimilk.com) is an Israeli manufacturer of herd management systems, offering a variety of automated and data management systems and software for livestock producers and milking parlors. With the assistance of the Initiative, S.A.E. Afikim had installed an Afimilk/AfiLab milking parlor and herd management system at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) campus of the Ohio State University (OSU). A second system is in place at OSU main campus. Ohio farmers can continue to observe the Afimilk/AfiLab equipment in use at both campuses and learn how it can improve their dairy farm operations.

OSU Demo of BT9 Intelligent Supply Chain Solutions BT9 Ltd. (www.bt9-tech.com), an Israeli company specializing in intelligent supply chain solutions, markets systems used for real-time monitoring of food quality from the beginning of the cold food chain until it reaches retail stores. The Initiative had assisted BT9 in installing its

37 system at OSU Columbus campus cafeterias in collaboration with OSU’s Food Industries Center. The installed BT9 monitoring system monitors OSU’s cafeterias refrigerated food temperature at the OSU Columbus campus cafeterias to prevent spoilage, to train students and for R&D. The system continues to serve as a demo site to showcase its potential to interested Ohio food companies.

Collaborative Bi-National R&D

The Initiative promotes Ohio-Israel R&D collaboration, identifies and then introduces Ohio and Israeli companies and researchers to each other, and directs them to potential funding resources such as the US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) and the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD).

Advisory Committees and Leadership Forum

The Ohio-Israel Agricultural Initiative continues to have a bi-national advisory committee. The committee is chaired by Mr. Chris Gibbs. In FY 2016/2017 the Advisory Committee was made up of 35 members (29 from Ohio and 6 from Israel), 1 advisor and 2 staff members (see Appendix B). During this reporting period the advisory committee met on 5/17/17 to review OIAI’s activities and offer their input. Presenters were Advisory Committee Chairperson Chris Gibbs of Gibbs Farms, Maplewood, OH; Sam Hoenig, President of The Negev Foundation; and Sarah Horowitz, Program Director of the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative, who gave an overview of the Initiative’s activities in the past year and future plans. Guest speakers included David Daniels, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA); Owners of several Ohio food manufacturing companies which the Initiative had introduced to the Israeli market who spoke about their respective experiences working with the Initiative; Larry Baker, co-owner of Baker Livestock & Horse Transport LLC, Greenville, OH, who reviewed the export of Ohio genetics and live cattle to Israel, the November 2016 Ohio to Israel delegation, and the planned Fall 2017 one; Brad Bergefurd, Extension Educator, Horticulture, OSU South Centers, Piketon, OH who spoke about adaptation of Israeli irrigation technologies on Ohio specialty crops; and John Buck, Groundwork BioAg Ltd.’s Ohio Agent, New Bloomington, OH who gave a progress update on field trials and other Ohio activities by Israel’s Groundwork BioAg. The keynote speaker at the meeting was Guy Cohen, Consul for Economic Affairs to the Midwest and Head of Economic Mission to the Midwest, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy, State of Israel, Chicago, IL, who gave a talk about innovation from Israel (See Appendix C for the Minutes of the OIAI Advisory Committee meetings).

The Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative also maintains a bi-national leadership forum, which consists of a subgroup of the advisory committee. In FY 2016/2017 it included 16 members (11 Ohio members and 5 Israelis), as well as 1 advisor and 2 staff members. The bi-national leadership forum members are contacted on an as-needed basis.

The Initiative started creating a CleanTech Advisory Committee which will be dedicated to advising the Initiative on CleanTech issues.

Website

The Initiative added a description of its CleanTech sector activities to its website.

Appendix A Current List of Israeli Companies Showcased at the Drip Irrigation & Horticulture Demonstration Unit at OSU South Centers in Piketon, OH

• Amiad Filtration Systems - Filtration systems for agriculture (www.amiadusa.com)

• Arad - Water meters for domestic, agriculture, and waterworks industries (www.arad.co.il, www.netafimusa.com)

• A.R.I. - Flow control accessories (www.arivalves.com, www.netafimusa.com)

• Arkal Industries - Water treatment filters and plastic leisure garden products (www.netafimusa.com)

• Dorot - Automatic control valves for agricultural, industrial & waterworks applications (www.dorot.com, www.netafimusa.com)

• Mapal Plastics, Agricultural Products Division – Troughs and other systems for soil-less and hydroponic greenhouses (http://www.mapalagro.com)

• NaanDanJain Irrigation - Irrigation and climate-control technologies for greenhouses, nurseries, fields, orchards, landscape, and industry (www.naandanjain.com, www.jainsusa.com)

• Netafim - Drip irrigation products and water management solutions (www.netafimusa.com)

• Paskal – Orchard, vineyard, and greenhouse trellising items, including hooks, clips and trestles (www.paskal.biz)

• Pelemix - Coco coir based substrates for greenhouses, nurseries, potting soil, and gardening (www.pelemix.com)

• PIP Pulsating Irrigation Products - Pulsating irrigation products (Foggers for fogging in greenhouses, FrostTech for frost protection) (www.pippulsators.com)

• Technoram - Modular, high quality, cold-weather resistant manifolds in various sizes for drip irrigation systems (www.technoramltd.com)

• Tefen Plastic Products Ltd. - Fertigation equipment (www.tefenplastic.com, www.demaeng.com)

Appendix B Ohio-Israel Agricultural Initiative Bi-National Advisory Committee

Yossi Barak FAS/USDA, retired Netanya, Israel

Howie Beigelman Executive Director Ohio Jewish Communities Columbus, OH

Brad Bergefurd Extension Educator, Horticulture OSU South Centers Piketon, OH

Don Branson Executive Director Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation Hillsboro, OH

Donald (Don) J. Breece, Ph.D. Associate Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University Fredericktown, OH

John M. Buck Buck Farms New Bloomington, OH

Bob Calala Calala's Water Haven, Inc. New London, OH

Phil Cassidy Senior Managing Scientist Exponent Washington, DC, Madison, OH

Dr. Graham Cochran, Ph.D. CFAES Interim Senior Administrative Officer and ACEL Professor Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences The Ohio State University (OSU) Columbus, OH

Bob Cohen Business Advisor Braintree Center for Business Innovation Mansfield, OH

Tim Derickson Assistant Director Ohio Department of Agriculture Reynoldsburg, OH

Ken Fisher President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) AmericanHort (American Horticulture Association) Columbus, OH

Christopher R. Gibbs Gibbs Farms Maplewood, OH

John Grimes OSU Extension Beef Coordinator Associate Professor OSU South Centers Piketon, OH

Brian Gwin Special Projects, OARDC Director's Office Wooster, OH

Zvi Herman Executive Director - Business Development Agriculture Division LR Group Herzlia, Israel

Avi Koren Greenhouse Grower Moshav Pharan Arava, Israel

Dr. Andrew (Andy) J. Londo Professor and Assistant Director Agriculture and Natural Resources College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Ohio State University Extension

Columbus, OH

Justin Marotta Mansfield, OH

Dean McIlvaine Owner Twin Parks Organic Farm West Salem, OH

Kirk B. Merritt Executive Director Ohio Soybean Council Worthington, OH

Fred Michel Associate Professor Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering The Ohio State University-OARDC Wooster, OH

Yankele Moscovitz Chairman & C.E.O. Ramat Negev Agricultural Authority Moshov Kadesh Barnea, Israel

Joe Needham Director, Food and Agribusiness Jobs Ohio Columbus, OH

Matt Peters Assistant Director Ohio Development Services Agency (DSA) Columbus, OH

Duane Rader Mansfield, OH

Lisa Schacht Owner, Schacht Farm and Farm Market Canal Winchester, OH

Oren Shaked Senior Agricultural Specialist Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) US Embassy, Tel Aviv Tel Aviv, Israel

Yitzhak Simon Aquaculture Specialist Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, Israel

Dr. Steven A. Slack Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University Wooster, OH

Dr. Dave Smith Founder & President Freshwater Farms of Ohio Urbana, OH

Gene Steiner President Gene Steiner Mgt Co. Inc. (GSM Inc) Lebanon, OH

Tom Sudow Director, Business Development, Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH

Tim Sword President Greater Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. Columbus, OH

Yael Vodovotz, Ph.D. Professor Department of Food Science and Technology The Ohio State University Columbus, OH

Advisors:

Karl R. Gebhardt Deputy Director, Water Resources & Lake Erie Programs Ohio EPA Columbus, OH

Staff:

Sam Hoenig President The Negev Foundation Cleveland, OH

Dr. Sarah Horowitz Program Director, Ohio-Israel Agricultural Initiative The Negev Foundation Cleveland, OH

Appendix C

Summary of the Ohio-Israel Agricultural Initiative (OIAI) Advisory Committee Meeting May 17, 2017 ODA, Bromfield Adm. Bldg., Auditorium C, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

In Attendance: OIAI Advisory Committee Members, Advisors and Staff: Brad Bergefurd, Don Branson, Don Breece, John Buck, Phil Cassidy, Bob Cohen, Tim Derickson, Chris Gibbs, John Grimes, Sam Hoenig, Sarah Horowitz, Brian Gwin, Andy Londo, Justin Marotta, Fred Michel, Joe Needham, Lisa Schacht, Tim Sword Invited Speakers and Guests: Larry Baker, Baker Livestock & Horse Transport LLC. Katie Bauer, Communications and Project Coordinator, Ohio Soybean Council Guy Cohen, Consul for Economic Affairs to the Midwest, Head of Economic Mission to the Midwest, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy, State of Israel, Chicago,IL David Daniels, Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Archit Dhir, Project Manager, Global Trade and Investment, Columbus2020! Pam Fannin, Economic Development Specialist, Montgomery County, Dayton Region Israel Trade Alliance (DRITA) Program Manager Amanda Hill, Groundwork BioAg Lori Panda, Program manager, Ohio Proud, ODA Christina Puterbaugh, Owner, Rust Belt Pepper Company, LLC Dan Risko, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Josh Mandel, Treasurer of Ohio Paolo Rosi, Co-owner and Vinter, Via Vecchia Winery Representative Andy Thompson, House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Ohio House of Representatives

Chris Gibbs, OIAI Advisory Committee Chairperson, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming. He asked the participants to introduce themselves. David Daniels, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and Sam Hoenig, President of The Negev Foundation, also welcomed the participants.

ODA Director Daniels said that Israel and Ohio face the same challenges. Ohio deals with water quality issues, while Israel has to deal with water scarcity. The Director introduced the new ODA Assistant Director, Tim Derickson.

Sam Hoenig, President of The Negev Foundation, announced the September 2017 Ohio to Israel water and CleanTech mission and encouraged people to join and help recruit other Ohioans. He also disclosed that there are plans to have an Ohio water and CleanTech roadshow/conference to showcase respective Israeli companies and technologies.

Sarah Horowitz, Program Director of the Ohio-Israel Ag Initiative, gave an update on the Initiative’s activities and accomplishments. She noted that the Initiative is working with over 400 Ohio and Israeli companies and organizations in the food, Ag and CleanTech industries to enhance Ohio’s economy through collaboration with Israel. She went on to explain that OIAI focuses primarily on helping Ohio companies explore export opportunities to Israel and on Israel

46 to Ohio business attraction (entering the U.S. market using Ohio as a gateway) and technology transfer, in efforts to enhance job creation/retention and business opportunities in Ohio.

Sarah described some of the Initiative’s activities this FY, including the November 2016 Ohio to Israel Cattle Genetics delegation, led By Larry Baker, to help with Israeli herd genetics through preparing, exporting (under special import permit) to Israel, and implanting Ohio Red Angus, Black Angus and Texas Longhorn embryos into Israeli cows, with an Ohio Vet helping to train the Israeli Vets.

Sarah reviewed current efforts in the food sector, where the Initiative gets requests from Israeli importers for specific food products and looks for Ohio companies that might be able to supply them (e.g., applesauce, maple syrup, chestnuts, grape juice, and frozen vegetables). Additionally, the Initiative identifies Ohio food manufacturers via lists (Ohio Proud, Food Export Association) and direct referrals, reviews the products and companies, have a site visit and meeting with the company, and helps with referrals to Kosher certification authorities and export assistance organizations. The Initiative then presents the company/products to Israel - directly to importers and via the Israel Chamber of Commerce and the USDA Rep. at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv. The Initiative then connects between the Ohio companies and any interested Israeli importer for direct communication and business negotiations. Sarah gave examples of Ohio food manufacturers that are in advanced stages of this process.

Sarah expanded on the Initiative’s focus in the CleanTech sector, which was triggered by the 2015 Ohio legislators’ mission to Israel, where delegates learned firsthand about Israel’s high tech capabilities. The Initiative had identified some of Ohio’s pressing water and environmental needs, such as the algal toxin / agricultural runoff issue that affects drinking water, and the septic tanks failure which raises the need for small scale wastewater treatment systems. The Initiative then looked for Israeli companies and technologies that can answer such problems. Those companies/technologies that looked promising were further reviewed by an internal review process, and then presented to the Ohio EPA and introduced to various Ohio regional economic development organizations covering the whole state, and to the Cleveland based and Akron based water alliances. Sarah described the companies that have been presented to Ohio so far, what they do and how they can answer Ohio’s needs, and said that reps of some of these Israeli companies had already visited Ohio, and others are scheduled to come shortly.

Sarah explained that the Initiative continues to present Ohio-Israel opportunities at workshops and tradeshows, and continues to showcase Israeli drip irrigation and horticulture companies participating in workshops at OSU South Centers. Sarah also mentioned the next planned Ohio to Israel delegations – A water, waste and CleanTeach delegation to include Watec 2017 in September 2017 to learn firsthand about Israel’s water and waste technologies and bring this knowledge to Ohio; a cattle delegation (led and organized by Larry Baker in collaboration with the Initiative) in September 2017; and an Ohio Legislators mission of House Representatives (organized by the Ohio Jewish Communities with the Initiative and The Negev Foundation help and input and lead by House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger) in November 2017.

Invited Presentations

Christina Puterbaugh, Owner, Rust Belt Pepper Company, LLC, based in Canton, OH, described her company and products. She explained how the Initiative has helped her with learning about the Kosher certification process and her interest in exploring export opportunities to Israel. To date, two Israeli importers expressed interest in her products.

Paolo Rosi, Co-owner and Vinter, Via Vecchia Winery, based in Columbus, OH, described his winery, and how the Initiative had presented his company to the Israeli market. He had already received an inquiry from an Israeli wine importer.

Archit Dhir, Project Manager, Global Trade and Investment, Columbus2020, explained how the Initiative and Columbus2020 work together in identifying kosher certified food manufacturers in the Columbus2020 region, and helping these companies explore Israel as an export destination.

Larry Baker, Baker Livestock & Horse Transport LLC, Greenville, OH, reviewed opportunities and activities in export of Ohio cattle genetics to Israel that resulted from the May 2016 Israel to Ohio cattlemen delegation that he had hosted. Important factors include the need in Israel to improve herd genetics and the need for food security in Israel (hence the need to have local calves and raise feeder calves locally). Larry described the November 2016 Ohio to Israel delegation that he organized and led, where Ohio embryos were transplanted into Israeli cows. Results will be known in August 2017. Larry said that he is planning a follow up Ohio to Israel cattle delegation in September 2017, to include an OSU meat scientist and OSU cattle nutrition expert and possibly an Ohio Vet, to train Israelis in these respective fields and help with transplanting the remaining Ohio embryos into Israeli cows.

Brad Bergefurd, Extension Educator, Horticulture, OSU South Centers, Piketon, OH, reviewed his group’s activities in adapting Israeli irrigation technologies to Ohio Specialty Crops. He described the OSU South Centers Horticulture and Irrigation Demo Unit, and noted that showcasing of the Israeli companies’ products and technologies moved to be in the field, as it is being used in field trials there. Highlighted technologies are drip irrigation and related irrigation technologies as well as fertigation as it applies to various specialty crops, including strawberries and hops. Workshops are being offered to Ohio farmers, where OSU extension staff present the Israeli technologies and systems. OIAI and Israeli company Reps participate in these training workshops.

John Buck, Israel’s Groundwork BioAg Ltd.’s (www.groundworkbioag.com) New Bloomington, Ohio-based Sales and Research Support Agent described Groundwork’s product - a highly concentrated mycorrhizal inoculant of seed treatment for mainstream agriculture (corn, soy) as well as vegetables and golf courses. The product forms symbiotic relationships with plants to extend the root system and help plants absorb nutrients in the soil, increasing plant yields while using less fertilizer. John gave a progress update on field trials and other Ohio activities. He said that they are now looking into a new delivery system approach – via fertigation and irrigation (in collaboration with OSU S. Centers). They are also going to look into the effect of the product on lowering disease via field trials at various universities. The company will

48 continue with field trials in the 2017 season. In 2018 they hope to be engaged in large scale production and sales.

Guy Cohen, Consul for Economic Affairs to the Midwest and Head of Economic Mission to the Midwest, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy, State of Israel, Chicago, IL, was the keynote speaker at the meeting. He gave a talk titled “Innovation from Israel”, with an overview of Israel’s advanced technologies, innovations and startups in various sectors that was achieved in both the technical and academic arenas in spite of Israel being such a small country. The existence of Israeli incubators and accelerators was instrumental to these achievements. Mr. Cohen focused on the agriculture and water sectors and gave specific examples. Mr. Cohen also reviewed the scope of Ohio to Israel and Israel to Ohio export in the past 3 years. He invited Ohioans to the upcoming Watec 2017 and Agritech 2018 tradeshows in Israel.

Chris Gibbs thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting.

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