July/August 2026 Our Ohio magazine
Hunting & Conservation is the theme of the July/August issue.
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For many of us, the Ohio State Fair holds a special place in our hearts.
From livestock shows and 4-H and FFA projects, to fair food, the butter cow and hearing Smokey Bear call out our names as we pass through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Park, those experiences become more than just summer traditions, they become iconic, lasting memories.
For Ohio Farm Bureau, the fair remains one of our most visible and valuable opportunities to connect fairgoers with agriculture, strengthen partnerships, influence policymakers and invest in the next generation. That is also why we are excited about what we hope becomes another iconic tradition of the fair: the new imAGine Ag exhibit.
At its core, imAGine Ag is a reflection and further investment in several organization priorities.
First and foremost, it will stand as our largest agricultural literacy project. Few opportunities allow us to engage with so many consumers and help them better understand modern farming, food production and the role agriculture plays in everyday life. At a time when people have more questions about where their food comes from, this exhibit creates a unique space to engage, build understanding and help bridge the gap.
imAGine Ag also will stand as an expression of partnerships and agricultural unity. Each year, the fair brings together farmers, commodity groups, academia, ag and food businesses, and government agencies to celebrate Ohio’s No. 1 industry. As fairgoers pass through the new Ohio Agriculture Center, our hope is they see that unity and celebration on full display. The creation of the exhibit itself is also a testimony to the power of collaboration. We’re thankful for our partners for helping this monumental project come to life.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we see many of the hands-on learning elements within imAGine Ag supporting our youth pathways work. From junior fair activities and educational programming to our ambassador program and highlighting careers in agriculture, imAGine Ag will help open the door for young people to see both the need for our industry and the opportunities they have within it.
Our team is all-hands-on-deck leading up to the unveiling of imAGine Ag, and we hope you will stop by from July 29 to Aug. 9 and let it become another tradition of the great Ohio State Fair.
Photo captions: Top left: In early June, member of the steering committee met at OFBF’s offices to finalize plans for imAGine Ag.
Right: Julie Shull, OFBF director of events, will lead the imAGine Ag exhibit this year. Julie has managed the previous Land and Living exhibit for the last 7 years.
Bottom: Planning for imAGine Ag began in late 2025. Pictured are members of the steering committee: from left, Ohio Farm Bureau’s Mike Bailey; Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Tracy Intihar; Ohio Expo Center’s Alicia Shoults; ODA’s Maggie Sheehan; Melanie Wilt with Shift•ology Communication; OFBF’s Marlene Eick and Adam Sharp; Adam Heffron, executive director of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair; Lora Vest with CFAES and CFAES Dean Cathann Kress; and Ohio Director of Agriculture Brian Baldridge
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Featured Articles
We asked, you answered: What does conservation mean to you and your farming operation?
Conservation practices mean different things to different Farm Bureau members, but the invisible string tying all of them together is a commitment to being stewards of the land.
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Lessons from the woods
The woods have given me lessons, memories and perspective that reach far beyond hunting season. They have taught me patience, humility, gratitude and wonder. That, to me, is outdoor sportsmanship.
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ODNR’s deer donation program will be back in the fall
The Deer Donation program encourages hunters to responsibly harvest additional antlerless deer to help maintain healthy deer populations and reduce numbers in areas where deer may exceed the land’s capacity.
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Outreach, education key to wildlife management
Programs like the youth contest and archery ranges teach the next generation that hunting and conservation are linked, while emphasizing safety and regulatory compliance.
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Vetting hunters who harvest on your property
Vetting hunters who want to hunt on your land by inviting only Farm Bureau members can both help you know something about those hunting on your property and connect hunters to Farm Bureau membership.
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Across the Table: Ohio State Fair traditions
We hope you will stop the new imAGine Ag exhibit July 29 to Aug. 9 and let it become another tradition of the great Ohio State Fair.
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imAGine Ag exhibit to debut at 2026 Ohio State Fair
The exhibit will be featured in the new Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Heritage Partner, Nationwide, and will be open during the Ohio State Fair July 29 to Aug. 9, from 9 a.m to 9 p.m.
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Waste not: Building a business around an under-appreciated resource
Armed with degrees in agriculture business and agronomy from Ohio State University, the Manure Gal honed her agricultural and business know-how through Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute.
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Regenerative farming 101: What to know if you’re making the switch
Talk to your Nationwide Farm Certified agent today to see if you’re ready to make the switch and explore what it means to your farm’s risk management strategy.
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