Today (May 26, 2019) marked the fourth day of Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried’s first trade mission to Israel. Fried has spent several days meeting with government officials, agricultural research groups, and agriculture-related businesses before joining other Florida Cabinet members next week for a Cabinet meeting and business development meetings.
Among other events, Commissioner Fried met today with Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The two shared a productive conversation on hemp research, agricultural technology, and other innovations for the future of agriculture.
“I am thankful to Commissioner Fried for her commitment to agricultural innovation, and for our excellent dialogue on improving the state of agriculture in both our nations,” said Minister Uri Ariel. “I applaud Commissioner Fried’s trade mission to return Israel’s agricultural best practices to Florida, and for her partnership in strengthening the Israeli-American relationship.”
“I am honored by the opportunity to collaborate with Minister Ariel on ways to advance agriculture in our states,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Israel is a world leader in technology, and from water conservation to alternative crops, we are working together to build a prosperous future for agriculture, for our economies, and for the people of Florida and Israel.”
Fried made this statement following Thursday’s trade mission kickoff: “I’m thrilled to be in Israel learning about innovations on agriculture and citrus, water efficiency, cannabis, and more. We’re going to bring home ideas and best practices from the Middle East’s only democracy and one of the world’s leading nations on technology and research. As the first Jewish woman elected to the Florida Cabinet, I’m looking forward to this opportunity to strengthen the special bond between Florida and Israel.”
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2019
All times are in Israel Daylight Time (7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time)
11:00 AM MEETING AND TOUR AT GROWPONICS
Growponics designs and builds automated hydroponic greenhouses that use modern agronomics and high technology.
2:00 PM LUNCH AND MEETING WITH ISRAELI AGRICULTURE MINISTER URI ARIEL
Ariel is the 26th Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and is a former member of the Knesset and Minister of Construction.
4:00 PM MEETING AND TOUR AT BOL PHARMA
BOL Pharma is at the forefront of the Israeli medical cannabis industry since 2008, as one of the first licensed medical cannabis cultivators in Israel.
6:00 PM CALL AND WORK TIME
7:30 PM MEET AND GREET WITH FLORIDA DELEGATION
Read more about Commissioner Fried’s Israel trip.
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Background image: Plantation of Pumpkin Against the Rocky Hills of Samaria, Israel