In testimony before the Ohio House and Senate Joint Ag Committee, Adam Sharp said investing in the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair supports thousands of 4-H and FFA students, along with showcasing careers in agriculture, and helps secure the future success of the state’s No. 1 industry.
Among the items Ohio Farm Bureau supported in the new state budget was $190 million for the Ohio Expo Center 2050 project. The state budget allocation approved in June will allow for buildings to be renovated and renewed, and infrastructure repaired and upgraded at its current location to make the Ohio State Fair and Expo Center the best in the country.
Ohio agriculture groups, led by Ohio Farm Bureau, were involved in this process for several years, culminating in February 2023 with recommendations on the State Fair and Expo Center that were shared with Gov. Mike DeWine’s 2050 Ohio Expo Task Force.
The ag groups’ vision and involvement is paying off now.
“The Ohio State Fair is one of the greatest opportunities we have to bridge the urban/rural divide and showcase our amazing industry and way of life to hundreds of thousands of Ohioans every year,” Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp said during his Ohio House and Ohio Senate Joint Ag Committee testimony this week. “Through the task force, many interested parties gave input on what the future of the fair should look like, and out of the final study, the vision for the Ohio Expo Center emerged.”
Sharp noted that the work done by the 2050 Task Force, including working with third-party master planning consultants, has lifted up the importance of investing and keeping the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair at its current location and investing in its future without removing its footprint in central Ohio. Supporting thousands of 4-H and FFA students, along with showcasing careers in agriculture, are just some of the many ways this investment helps secure the future success of the state’s No. 1 industry.
The recommendations were shared with the Ohio Expo 2050 Task Force to ensure that the input, ideas and concerns of the agriculture industry, including preserving the current location and footprint with a strong investment for improvements, were properly incorporated into the state’s new Vision Plan. The ag groups put forth their objectives in areas such as the mission and vision for the Expo Center; land use and optimization; the overall experience for youth and the public; and funding, governance and operations.
“This historic investment in the vision for this fair and the Ohio Expo Center will allow us to continue that great mission for generations to come,” Sharp said.
The 2024 Sale of Champions livestock auction concluded the Ohio State Fair. This year’s sale raised $134,500 for the Youth Reserve Program.
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This year, the Land and Living Exhibit will be merging with the Little Farmers Exhibit to ensure that Ohio Farm Bureau and agriculture still have a presence outside of the livestock barns.
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Meet the new executive director of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair and learn how the major renovations are going.
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The Ohio Expositions Commission has named Adam Heffron to be the new executive director of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair
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Ohio Farm Bureau, along with partner Kroger, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef exhibited by Beckett Winegardner from Allen County. Ohio Farm Bureau, along with partners Bob Evans and Kroger, also purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow exhibited by Logan Deel of Gallia County.
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In testimony before the Ohio House and Senate Joint Ag Committee, Adam Sharp said investing in the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair helps secure the future success of the state’s No. 1 industry.
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Visitors to the Nationwide Donahey Agriculture & Horticulture building will get in-depth, hands-on lessons about farming, food and high-tech agriculture.
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On this Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast, find out what not to miss at this year’s Ohio State Fair!
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State Fair Interns Reily Bell, Ashley Tate and Branson Van Fleet talk about their role in bringing the Land & Living exhibit together, as well as what to expect this year.
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Visits to the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex and learning the ins and outs of the harness horse racing industry are helping us prepare for the Ohio State Fair.
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