About the Ohio-Israel Ag & CleanTech Initiative

In 2002, The Negev Foundation launched the Ohio-Israel Agriculture and Rural Development Initiative with the help of Senator George Voinovich of Ohio. Bringing together government, academic and business entities, trade associations and growers, this initiative aimed to improve agricultural trade and R&D ties between Ohio and Israel. Over the next fifteen years the initiative would evolve to continue to meet Ohio’s needs in the agriculture and food industries while including a focus on clean technologies known as “CleanTech” and strengthening economic ties between Israel and Ohio.

Now the Ohio-Israel Ag & CleanTech Initiative (OIACI), our organization works to promote trade, business relationships, technology transfer, R&D, and professional development opportunities between Ohio and Israel within the often interconnected industries of agriculture, food production, and CleanTech. In today’s global community, international relationships are essential to addressing 21st century environmental concerns and cultivating healthy economies; the OIRI is committed to building such relationships between Israel and Ohio so the regions may work cooperatively on issues of interest to both.

Our Mission

OIACI takes a comprehensive approach to support the development of Ohio’s economy and community through the agriculture, food, and Water – CleanTech sectors. By working to strengthen professional skills and knowledge, encourage exploration and partnerships in R&D, introduce innovative technologies, and promote trade, we approach the process of understanding needs and seeking solutions from the individual to the state level. While many of our programs address more than one need, we generally think of our programming as primarily relating to professional development, economic development, or research & technology.

Programs

Professional Development
Continuing education is vital in the agriculture, food, and Water – CleanTech industries. As each of these industries becomes more globalized, keeping up with new standards and innovations, professional networking, and making international connections are important factors in success. Through our professional development programming, OIACI offers these opportunities to professionals in Ohio and Israel.

Economic Development
OIACI has a strong focus on supporting the economic growth of Ohio and Israel’s economies. In over fifteen years of work with these regions, we have been able to successfully facilitate many mutually beneficial economic partnerships while continuing to explore new opportunities through trade projects, missions, tradeshows & exhibitions, and emerging industries.

Research & Technology
R&D is the backbone of the agriculture, food, and Water – CleanTech industries, with continually emerging technologies and practices guiding development. OIACI works to bring new developments in research and technology to and from Israel and Ohio. Through this approach, we make international collaboration and access between the regions easier, and open the opportunity to addressing local needs with global solutions.