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The new Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center is under construction, according to Bill McCleery, Ohio State University’s development officer for Ohio 4-H. The center’s projected completion date is December 2007.

"We are excited to finally be under way and look forward to being operational in early 2008," said Jeff King, state 4-H leader and assistant director for OSU Extension. The center will be the first "green" building on the Ohio State campus, with its design focused on energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Marilyn Johnson-Masters, whose late husband, agricultural broadcaster Ed Johnson, served as the first chairman of the campaign, said, "It’s a great day for the youth of Ohio. Ed’s dream is becoming a reality. He would be so pleased."

McCleery said fundraising for the project is ongoing. The goal is $15.5 million, which includes funds for both the construction and an endowment for the new center. So far, $13 million has been raised or pledged to date, with $6 million from Nationwide and the Ohio Farm Bureau (county Farm Bureaus donated more than $300,000 to the project), $4.5 million from 4-H fundraising efforts and $2.5 million from state and federal funding.

McCleery encouraged both prospective and previous donors to join the "4-H Green Team," an elite group of passionate 4-H supporters who will be recognized in a special way in the center’s Great Hall for their "extra mile" effort in putting the campaign over the top. For more information, contact McCleery at (614) 247-7624 or mccleery.8@osu.edu.

This year, nearly 300,000 Ohio youths ages 5 through 19 will be involved in a 4-H program. For more information on Ohio 4-H, contact the 4-H program at (614) 292-4444.

Caption: On the site of what will be the new Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on the campus of the Ohio State University, from left: Jean Bell, president of Ohio 4-H Foundation; Bob Vance, corporate vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau; Bobby Moser, vice president and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation; Jim Dailey, chair of the 4-H Center Steering Committee; Jeff King, state 4-H leader, and Keith Smith, director of Ohio State University Extension. Kneeling in front are Franklin County 4-H members Michelle House and Clint Fleshman.