Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal 
By Adam Sharp, executive vice president Ohio Farm Bureau
In agriculture, we spend a lot of time investing in the future. From the seeds we plant in early spring for a fall harvest to the long-term planning of who will take over the farm or business after us, there is always a focus on tomorrow.
The same future focus guides the work being done by Ohio Farm Bureau, our members and all our incredible partners across the industry. It’s also the inspiration behind the new imAGine Ag exhibit at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds.
Located inside the new Ohio Agriculture Center, the 75,000-square-foot imAGine Ag exhibit will feature hands-on exhibits, interactive experiences and opportunities for fairgoers of all ages to explore how food, fiber and renewable fuel are produced in Ohio. For Ohio Farm Bureau and our partners, this is more than a new attraction, it’s a long-term investment in several priorities that will help strengthen and shape the future of Ohio agriculture.
First and foremost, imAGine Ag is an investment in agricultural literacy. The state fair provides one of the largest opportunities we have each year to connect with consumers and help them better understand farming, our food system and the role agriculture plays in our everyday lives. Through interactive displays, educational experiences and direct conversations with farmers and industry partners, visitors will have the opportunity to engage, ask questions and learn. As more people seek answers on where their food comes from, creating opportunities like imAGine Ag will help ensure the information they get is accurate, authentic and directly from the people who grow and raise it.
They’ll explore topics ranging from weather, crop production and agricultural technology to animal care and the journey food takes from Ohio farms to family tables. Visitors will experience what it takes to grow a crop through changing seasons, discover how precision technology helps farmers protect their fields, learn how weather influences decisions made on the farm, and gain a better understanding of the care and time farmers give our animals and natural resources everyday.
Along the way, they’ll see how innovation continues to shape farming while highlighting the people, partnerships and processes that provide our safe and abundant food supply. Rather than simply reading or hearing about agriculture, fairgoers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in multiple facets of Ohio agriculture.
imAGine Ag is also an investment in partnership and agricultural unity. Each year, the fair brings together farmers, commodity organizations, agribusinesses, food companies, universities and government agencies to celebrate Ohio’s No.1 industry. As visitors pass through the new Ohio Agriculture Center, our hope is they will see that collaboration on full display.
The exhibit and the Ohio Agriculture center itself are examples of what can be accomplished when organizations invest their time, expertise and resources toward a shared vision for Ohio agriculture. The center also represents a much broader investment in the future of the Ohio State Fair and our industry. This year’s fair marks the culmination of an unprecedented $400 million investment supported by the Ohio General Assembly and Gov. Mike DeWine.
Ohio Farm Bureau was proud to work alongside fellow agricultural groups in advocating for this historical commitment to the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, one that will serve fairgoers of today and generations to come. OFBF fought hard to preserve the state fairgrounds and secure much-needed investments in the facilities that will benefit our youth from all 88 counties as they participate in the State Fair, Beef, Dairy and Poultry Expos, Quarter Horse Congress, the State FFA Convention and many more activities held throughout the year at the Expo Center.
In addition to imAGine Ag, the Ohio Agriculture Center will include the Taste of Ohio Cafe, Ohio Proud Showcase, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Animal Life & Learning Center, and horticulture exhibits and competitions. Together, these experiences showcase the diversity of Ohio agriculture while giving visitors multiple touchpoints to learn about the people, organizations and innovations that make our agricultural community successful.
The imAGine Ag exhibit is made possible through Anchor Partners whose significant investments brought this interactive experience to life: Nationwide, Farm Credit Mid- America, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Bob Evans Farms and Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.
Beyond the fair experiences, imAGine Ag will also strengthen relationships and long-term advocacy efforts. Through opportunities to host elected officials, policymakers and community leaders, we can provide a firsthand look at the challenges facing our farms while highlighting stories of those who work tirelessly to provide the food, fiber and renewable fuel we all rely on. Those experiences help build a stronger understanding of our industry and can hopefully influence future policy decisions for the betterment of our farms and rural communities.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, imAGine Ag stands as an investment in the next generation. Through activities, hands-on learning and highlighting the diverse range of careers in agriculture, the exhibit will help young people see both opportunities available within our industry and the important role they can play in its future. The experiences today may inspire tomorrow’s farmers, agricultural business owners, teachers, scientists, veterinarians, engineers, lawmakers and advocates.
Ohio Farm Bureau and all our industry partners are all hands on deck as we prepare for the unveiling of imAGine Ag, and we hope you will stop by from July 29 through Aug. 9.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Ohio’s Country Journal or Ohio Ag Net or its staff.
