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Ohio’s 4-H center will carry the official name of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. The name of the center was given by the OSU board of trustees in recognition of the generous financial support of the Nationwide Foundation and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

A significant portion of the money is being raised through contributions made by county Farm Bureaus. At press time, more than ** county Farm Bureaus have pledged 50 cents per member for five years toward the goal of $535,000 for the state-of-the-art Ohio 4-H Center.

"These counties are leading the way, and our hats go off to them," said Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president. "Along with our partners at Nationwide, Ohio Farm Bureau and the county Farm Bureaus will help create an outstanding facility that our young people will enjoy for years to come."

Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation pledged a combined $3 million challenge grant, matching $1 for every $2 raised by 4-H members and volunteers. This is in addition to an initial pledge of $1 million from OFBF and $2 million from Nationwide.

"Ohio Farm Bureau has a long history of leadership development and training for our young people and future leaders through Farm Bureau youth, youth camps and young farmers," said Terry McClure, OFBF president. "The Ohio Farm Bureau board recognized the Ohio 4-H Center as a great way to enhance our youth and young leader program for years to come, and we are proud to support this activity."

The Ohio 4-H Center will be a facility for youth, adult volunteers, community organizations and all other Ohio State University partners. It will serve as the home of Ohio 4-H and provide research, teaching resources and service opportunities. The center will house flexible multi-purpose space for hands-on programs for youth and volunteers, educational conference and classroom facilities, and premier technology linking the Ohio 4-H Center to Ohio’s 88 counties, the nation and the world. There are currently more than 286,000 youth and more than 30,000 volunteers involved in Ohio 4-H programs.

"Ohio Farm Bureau members know the importance of relationships, and we're proud to stand alongside our great friends at the Nationwide Foundation to create a facility that will both honor and sustain Ohio's tremendous 4-H program," said Fisher.

The facility will be located on Lane Avenue, west of the Jerome Schottenstein Center and east of State Route 315.