‘Land and Living’ continues to draw interest Ohio Farm Bureau’s "Land and Living: Agriculture – Your Link to Life" exhibit at the 150th Ohio State Fair was a success again this year, drawing in thousands of visitors. Located in the Nationwide Agriculture and Horticulture Building, "Land and Living" featured all aspects of agriculture, and many exhibits were interactive. Children could climb the popular corn wall and plant flowers to take home. Visitors could see and touch baby chicks and see puppies that represented six breeds of traditional working dogs. Other exhibits featured soybeans, corn, aquaculture, horticulture, Nationwide, dairy, veterinary medicine, Christmas trees, nuts and other commodities grown in Ohio. "This project is truly a team effort. It takes each of us to bring a project of this magnitude to life," said Jim Chakeres, coordinator of the exhibit and OFBF director of market and risk management. "Our exhibit has become a destination on the fairgrounds with families returning year after year, and I’m sure 2004 will be no different." The celebration of the Ohio Bicentennial was evident throughout the Ag and Hort building. Paintings of all 88 barns were displayed. Scott Hagan, the official Bicentennial barn painter, visited the exhibit Aug. 9 to paint a backyard barn with the bicentennial logo. The backyard barn was raffled, and more than $1,500 was donated to the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. Sales of the book Bicentennial Barns, by Beth Gorczya, were a big draw for visitors. More than 300 books were sold. Gorczya, Bill Miller, the book's photographer, and Hagan autographed copies of the book Aug. 9.
"Land and Living" was not the only place Farm Bureau could be seen. The Farm Bureau Youth staffed an interactive display in the Youth Discovery exhibit in the Lausche Building. Many people visited the display that featured educational games, photo opportunities and other fun activities. Children who visited the booth could take their turn at the trivia wheel, and when they answered a question correctly, their names were entered into a drawing for DVD player. Angel Wenger of Grove City was the winner. When children gave an incorrect answer, their names were entered into a drawing for an Ohio State blanket. Madison Pinsinki of Oak Ridge, Tenn., wont the blanket. "Getting youth involved in agriculture is important, and the Farm Bureau Youth display reaches many children who may have no knowledge of agriculture in Ohio," said Darrell Rubel, OFBF director of youth and safety activities. Next year's Ohio State Fair runs Aug. 4 to 15. | |