2023 Ohio State Fair

Easton McClure, Marion Co., 11 was the first place Outstanding Market Beef Exhibitor. The other Beef Outstanding Market Exhibitors were: Beckett Winegardener, Allen Co., 9; Blake Neill, Huron Co., 10; Logan Brinksneader, Darke Co., 12; Owen Bailey, Wayne Co., 13; Tyler Neill, Huron Co., 14; Taylor Barton, Clinton Co., 15; Taylor Poff, Geauga Co., 16; Alicia Graham, Licking Co., 17; and Harrison Blay, Portage Co., 18.

Ava Genter, Fulton Co., 14, was the first place Outstanding Market Barrow Exhibitor. The other Swine Outstanding Market Barrow exhibitors were: Reagan Daulton, Clark Co., 9; Alec Genter, Fulton Co., 10; Adalynn Endsley, Coshocton Co., 11; Megan Smith-McCarley, Pickaway Co., 12; Noah Sponcil, Highland Co., 13; Owen Marker, Darke Co., 15; Cade Sponcil, Highland Co., 16; Jaden Snyder, Clinton Co.,… Continue reading

The Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef was exhibited by Beckett Winegardner, Allen County, and purchased by The Kroger Company and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation for a bid of $37,500.

The Grand Champion Market Beef was exhibited by Holden LeVan, Champaign County, and purchased by Mark and Megan Kvamme and Family for $80,000.

The Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow was exhibited by Logan Deel of Gallia County and purchased by The Kroger Company, Bob Evans and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation with a bid of $35,000.… Continue reading

A couple of traditions may have gotten started over in the O’Neill Swine Building. Making its debut at the 2023 Ohio State Fair, the “Breaking Boundaries” Pig Show featured participants between 9 and 22 years old with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Along with the assistance of 25 youth mentors from the Ohio Pork Council’s OH-PIGS program, the participants experienced their first-ever “center-ring” opportunity to care for and show pigs in front of a state fair audience complete with judges. 

“We know the real-world life lessons that are gained in the show ring for so many youths around Ohio and the nation and we wanted to create that type of opportunity for this special group of young people, too,” said Kelly Morgan, OH-PIGS manager, and Ohio State Fair assistant swine superintendent. “While the experience may have only been for one evening at the State Fair, we hope that for the young people and their families that this inaugural show created a lifelong memory that creates good emotions.”… Continue reading

Brown Swiss Junior Show—Judge Hannah Simpson, Salem, Ohio

Junior Champion: Lauren Lamoreaux, Stark County

Reserve Junior Champion: Carissa Pittman, Wayne County

Honorable Mention Junior Champion: Daleyn Gehrig, Monroe County

Intermediate Champion: Elaina Lahmers, Union County

Reserve Intermediate Champion: Sylvia Headings, Madison County

Honorable Mention Intermediate Champion: Ava Lahmers, Union County

Senior Champion: Jeffrey Schrock, Madison County

Grand Champion: Elaina Lahmers, Union County

Reserve Grand Champion: Sylvia Headings, Madison County

Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Jeffrey Schrock, Madison County

Jersey Junior Show—Judge Tom Arrowsmith, Pennsylvania

Junior Champion: Kendall Thomas, Champaign County

Reserve Junior Champion: Lillian Finke, Madison County

Honorable Mention Junior Champion: Kelly Hawvermale, Wayne County

Intermediate Champion: Drake Tompkins, Morgan County

Reserve Intermediate Champion: Joey Ziegler, Union County

Honorable Mention Intermediate Champion: Savannah Thomas, Logan County

Senior Champion: Lillian Finke, Madison County

Reserve Senior Champion: Drake Tompkins, Morgan County

Honorable Mention Senior Champion: Ruby Herron, Columbiana County

Grand Champion: Lillian Finke, Madison County

Reserve Grand Champion: Drake Tompkins, Morgan County

Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Drake Tompkins, Morgan County

At the 2023 Dean’s Charity Steer Show, supporters raised an incredible $165,680 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC) with more online donations being accepted until Aug. 6. Donate now at https://give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.

“This exciting event brings together our community to celebrate agriculture and children, both for our 4-H youth as well as children benefiting from the Ronald McDonald House,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “Every dollar we raise means families can stay together only steps away from their hospitalized child during one of the most stressful times of their lives.”

During the Dean’s Charity Steer Show, 10 teams, consisting of a team captain, team champion(s), and experienced Ohio 4-H youth, will not only show a steer, but will also compete to see who can raise the most money for RMHC of Central Ohio through donations and an “auction” following the show.… Continue reading

Barbecue fans from across Ohio and beyond gathered on Aug. 1 at the Ohio State Fair to see which top-notch barbecue competitor would come out victorious in the Ohio Pork Council’s annual Pork Rib-Off competition. The participants vied for top honors in categories for ribs, pulled pork, people’s choice, and barbecue sauce. 

Ale Yeah BBQ, Delaware was awarded Grand Champion Pork Ribs. Bark Brothers BBQ of Cincinnati was awarded Grand Champion Pulled Pork. These winners were two of the nine contestants from across the state to compete in the annual event.

The grand champions and their competitors were scored by a group of four judges, including: Virgil Strickler, Ohio Expo Center & State Fair General Manager; Representative Bob Peterson (R-17); Jeff Reese, Ohio Ag Net; and Gregory J. Lestini, Bricker Graydon. 

“This is the only day that I come to the fair because I know there will be amazing barbecue,” said a fairgoer who has come specifically on Rib-Off day for the last eight years “This is something that I look forward to coming to every year for the amazing pork.”… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

Once again, 4-H exhibitors at the Ohio State Fair rose to the occasion to represent the next generation of Ohioans well. This, of course, took place in the livestock barns and the show rings, but it also took place in project judging of the many non-livestock projects at the Ohio State Fair. We love to highlight livestock exhibitors, and in a tradition started by Kyle Sharp years ago, I wanted to dedicate a little space here to recognize the success of some of Ohio’s top non-livestock 4-H exhibitors. Thanks to Randall Reeder for taking photos and captions and for his work with the youth. Congrats to all of those young people who enjoyed success at the 2022 Ohio State Fair! Many more photos from the 4-H Welding, Woodworking, and Engineering Excitement contests are on Facebook.com/Ohio4Hengineering.

Photos by Randall Reeder

The 310th episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast comes to you from the 2023 Ohio State Fair. Joel and Matt sit down with famed auctioneer Johnny Regula as they discuss county fair auctions, the Sale of Champions, memories from years past, and much more as the second week of the State Fair gets underway.

Also in this week’s podcast:

Terry Mescher, ODA, on H2Ohio

Dusty Sonnenberg gets an update on the growing H2Ohio program from Terry Mescher of Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Farm Credit Mid-America Growing Forward

Dale Minyo talks with Farm Credit Mid-America’s Scott LaGuire and Hilary Poulson about the unique opportunities offered by the Growing Forward program.

Congressman Max Miller on Farm Bill

U.S. Representative Max Miller of Ohio’s seventh congressional district talks with Joel Penhorwood about his work on the House Ag Committee and work being done on the 2023 Farm Bill.

By Matt Reese

As we work our way through the 2023 Ohio fair season, I can’t help but think about the immeasurable resources that go into each one of these events, especially the Ohio State Fair. Think for a moment about the investment of time, money and labor that goes into just one of the livestock projects at the fair, and there are thousands of them. Beyond that, consider the number of volunteer hours spent by fair board members, fair staff, barn staff, judges, donors, sponsors, buyers, farm organization members and staff, vendors, ride companies, and the list goes on. Each individual who participates has their own role to play and their unique piece of ownership of the fair experience. Every person involved in every component of each fair is vying for a place and role in the overall event. There are countless moving parts, all with a need for organization and a set of challenges to be addressed and managed. … Continue reading

Grand Champion and Reserve Champion cheesemakers were selected at the 2023 Ohio State Fair Cheese contest held at Miceli Dairy in Cleveland, Ohio.  

The American Dairy Association Mideast, who coordinated the event, is pleased to announce that Pearl Valley Cheese of Fresno, Ohio, took top honors, receiving the overall Grand Champion award for their Swiss cheese. Urban Stead Cheese of Cincinnati, Ohio, received the overall Reserve Champion award for their Aged Cheddar cheese.

Participation was at an all-time high with 63 entries from cheesemakers across the state. Winners of the contest by classification are as follows:

Swiss Class:

First Place          Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio

Second Place     Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio

Third Place         Guggisberg Cheese, Millersburg, Ohio

Other Swiss Class:

First Place          Guggisberg Cheese, Millersburg, Ohio – Ziller

Second Place     Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio — Lacey Baby

Third Place         Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery, Wauseon, Ohio – Gouda

Young Cheddar Class:

First Place          Bunker Hill Cheese, Millersburg, Ohio

Second Place     Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio

Third Place         Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield, Ohio

Aged Cheddar Class:

First Place          Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio

Second Place     Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield, Ohio

Surface Mold Bloomy Class:       

First Place          Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio — Camembert Peppercorn

Second Place     Rowdy Cow Creamery, Burton, Ohio — Camembert Claridon Hill

Third Place         Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio — Camembert Triple Cream

Bacteria Ripened Class:

First Place          Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio — Apple Jack Washed

Second Place     Rowdy Cow Creamery, Burton, Ohio – Tomme

Fresh, Spreadable & Curd Class:

First Place          Rowdy Cow Creamery, Burton, Ohio — Fromage Blanc 

Second Place     Rowdy Cow Creamery, Burton, Ohio — Salt, Pepper & Garlic Curd

Third Place         Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery, Wauseon, Ohio — Greek Quark

Open Class — Cow’s Milk:

First Place          Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio — Colby

Second Place     Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio — Marble

Third Place         Tri State Cheese, Hicksville, Ohio — Muenster

Open Class — Spicy:

First Place          Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno, Ohio — Jalapeno, Ghost & Habanero Pepper Blend

Second Place     Tri State Cheese, Hicksville, Ohio — Horseradish 

Third Place         Tri State Cheese, Hicksville, Ohio — Habanero Muenster

Open Class — Other Milk:

First Place          Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland, Ohio — Sussex Ash Rine

Judges for the contest included Bill Rufenacht of the Dairy Connection, Aileen Kacvinsky of Schuman Cheese, Brian Schlatter of Fromagex, restaurateur John Quagliata and Jenny Crabtree of ADA Mideast.… Continue reading

Holstein Junior Show—Judge Eddie Bue, Wisconsin

Junior Champion: Blayk Thomas, Champaign County

Reserve Junior Champion: Cole Bentley, Seneca County

Honorable Mention Junior Champion: Jacoby Gilbert, Wayne County

Intermediate Champion: Kennley Siegrist, Wayne County

Reserve Intermediate Champion: Carissa Pittman, Wayne County

Honorable Mention Intermediate Champion: Savannah Thomas, Champaign County

Senior Champion: Colton Thomas, Champaign County

Reserve Senior Champion: Aubrey Topp, Shelby County

Honorable Mention Senior Champion: Wyatt Schauch, Holmes County

Grand Champion: Colton Thomas, Champaign County

Reserve Grand Champion: Kennley Siegrist, Wayne County

Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Carissa Pittman, Wayne County

America’s legions of “fair food” fans are in for a special treat on July 29 when A&E’s “Best in Chow” series debuts Ohio’s own Pork Double-Decker Pork Loin Sandwich created at the Ohio State Fair by the Ohio Pork Council. As part of the 21-episode series, viewers can join host Matt Richards as he travels to the biggest state fairs across the country to find America’s wildest foods and most creative concoctions.

Ohio’s swine-centric entry for the A&E show features two, inch-thick slices of pork loin, paired with three pieces of Ohio-produced Daisy Field bacon, topped with coleslaw and farmer-favorite, D.B. Yummers BBQ sauce.

“Creating this unique sandwich for Best in Chow a year ago at the fair was an amazing experience for us to really showcase the best pork that Ohio has to offer in a fun, over-the-top way,” says Cheryl Day, executive vice president of Ohio Pork Council. “We hope everyone will not only tune in to see the amazing creations from across the country compete but will come try the Double-Decker Loin Sandwich for themselves at this year’s fair.… Continue reading

The Dean’s Charity Steer Show, an annual event that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio, is set for Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Ohio State Fair. Hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), it will be held at 2 p.m. in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center on the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair grounds.

The 2022 show raised $247,148 for RMHC. 

“Every dollar we raise means families can stay together only steps away from their hospitalized child during one of the most stressful times of their lives,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “This event brings together our community to celebrate agriculture and children, including our 4-H youth as well as children benefiting from the Ronald McDonald House.”

Currently, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House is undergoing a major expansion, more than doubling the size of the facility.… Continue reading