Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal 
Nearly 700 members of Ohio’s agricultural community gathered Aug. 7 at the Ohio State Fair to celebrate the 60th Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame Breakfast and welcome four new members into the Hall of Fame. The Diamond Anniversary celebration honored John Grimes of Hillsboro, Dr. L.H. Newcomb of Hilliard, Nancy Patterson of Chesterland and Sparky Weilnau of Milan for their lifelong contributions to Ohio agriculture.
“For 60 years, the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame has given us the opportunity to recognize the legacy of those who have come before us,” said Mike Bailey, president of the Ohio Agricultural Council. “Each of us who works in agriculture recognizes that we stand on the shoulders of giants. This celebration honors not only our inductees and their families, but all those who have invested their lives in Ohio agriculture.”
The 60th anniversary program also celebrated Ohio agriculture more broadly, recognizing past Hall of Fame inductees, agricultural leaders serving at the national level and six recipients of the Ohio Agricultural Council’s 2026 scholarships. Guests marked the Diamond Anniversary with a commemorative toast celebrating Ohio agriculture’s rich heritage, strong partnerships and future.
Gov. Mike DeWine joined the celebration, along with Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge, Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Dean Cathann Kress and Ohio Expositions Commission Chair Rose Hartschuh. The program also highlighted the Hall of Fame’s longstanding connection to the Ohio State Fair, with participation from General Manager Adam Heffron, the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir and Band, 2026 Ohio Fairs Queen Edy Solet and Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board President Samantha Bader.
The Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame was established in 1966 and is considered one of the state’s highest honors in the agricultural community. Each year, up to four individuals are selected for their outstanding service, lifelong dedication and contributions to Ohio agriculture.
To learn more about the 2026 inductees, past honorees and the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame, visit the Ohio Agricultural Council Hall of Fame website.
