Texas Israel Exchange Program (TIE)

The TIE program was formally created in 1985 via a signed Memorandum of Agreement to work together on projects of mutual agricultural benefit to the peoples of Israel and Texas. The MOA stated that there was considerable potential to work together on projects related to energy, trade, marketing and processing, crop development, water use and conservation, research, and joint adventures. In 1987, TIE established it’s first project: the TIE Demonstration Farm in Laredo. The farm was located in Laredo because the Laredo Junior College had offered up to 100 acres of land along the Rio Grande for the farm’s creation. A feasibility study was financed in the spring of 1987 by the Jewish National Fund, which sent over three Israeli consultants to design the extensive plan for the farm. The farm start up costs was funded from the Meadows Foundation. The first crops planted were in the spring of 1988, which included tomatoes, peppers, melons, and specialty cucumbers.

In 1991, the Texas Israel Exchange Board was formally appointed and focused on emphasizing a transfer of knowledge between Texas and Israeli scientists on improving agricultural and livestock production in arid climates. In January of 1992, a new Memorandum of Intent was signed with a new focus to broaden the program, encourage greater participation and to prove, through applied research, that the similarities in agriculture between Texas and Israel can be a lesson for both partners.

The Texas Department of Agriculture went to the Texas Legislature during the 1993 Legislative session to secure funding for TIE. Through the Texas Legislative process and private fundraising efforts, TDA secured enough funds for grants to be awarded by 1995. Under the program, the TIE Board distributed $250,000 in 1995 to the scientists in Texas and the Israeli scientists’ projects were funded through the Ministry of Agriculture in Israel. Each of the projects funded would require a Texas and Israeli scientist on each team, funded equally by the TIE Fund. For the second year of funding in 1996, funds available from cost savings achieved in the Texas Department of Agriculture’s budget were applied to the TIE program. The Texas share of funding was also provided the following year through cost savings at TDA; however, due to funding decisions in Israel, funds were available for four TIE research projects during that year by Israel. TDA worked with the Texas Legislature to allow TDA to carry over unspent TIE funds from 1997 for the FY98-99 biennium. The Legislature listened and responded positively to the request. In May of 1998, TDA facilitated a videoconference between the Bi-national Agricultural Research and Development (BARD) fund and the Texas researchers to begin the process of seeking additional funding for the continuation of the TIE projects.

TIE funding isfocused on pilot projects involving drip irrigation, desalinization, and greenhouse production. During FY2002, seven grants were awarded totaling $250,000:

• Genetic Resources of Drought Resistance on Wild Emmer Wheat for Wheat Improvement;
• Development of Selected Ornamentals Tolerant to Recycled and Saline Irrigation Water;
• Advancement of Cotton Drought-Tolerance by Plant Breeding;
• Technical and Economic Feasibility of Using Israeli Subsurface Drip Irrigation Technology for Growing Rice in Texas;
• Ornamental Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, and Corms for Cut Flower Production and Gardening in Warm Climate Regions;
• Pilot Scale for the Production of Shrimps, Fish, and Seaweed in an Environmentally Friendly Land-Based Integrated System; and
• Optimizing Water Use and Production Efficiency to Enhance Quality and Decrease Drought Physiological Disorders in Field and Greenhouse Specialty Peppers