New imAGine Ag exhibit to debut at the 2026 Ohio State Fair

By Ryan Matthews
Director of Communications and Media Relations
Ohio Farm Bureau

COLUMBUS – Ohio Farm Bureau is proud to soon welcome visitors to the new imAGine Ag exhibit premiering at the 2026 Ohio State Fair. The 75,000-square-foot exhibit will be featured in the new Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Nationwide at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds.  

Ohio Farm Bureau partnered with Ohio agriculture groups, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Exposition Commission, and The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences to bring this new destination to life. The imAGine Ag exhibit represents the biggest investment in agriculture consumer outreach ever featured at the state fair. 

“The Ohio State Fair remains our most visible and valuable opportunity to elevate the story of Ohio agriculture. Through imAGine Ag, we will share this story with thousands of consumers and take our ag literacy efforts to the next level,” said Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau executive vice president. “Our hope is that the exhibit becomes every family’s new tradition and creates a space for investment in the next generation, where lawmakers can see the reality of farming and that everyone walks away with a deeper understanding of food and agriculture.”

As visitors walk through imAGine Ag, they will be able to get a hands-on understanding of agriculture, see how agriculture has evolved over time, speak directly with Ohio farmers and get insights into the wide range of issues farmers deal with, from weather and agricultural technology to animal care and crop management tools. 

The Ohio Agriculture Center also will include the Taste of Ohio Café featuring foods prepared by Ohio’s agricultural commodity groups, the Ohio Proud Showcase, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Animal Life & Learning Center, plus horticulture exhibits and competitions.

This year’s state fair will unveil the culmination of an unprecedented $400 million investment supported by the Ohio General Assembly and Governor Mike DeWine. Farm Bureau and other Ohio agriculture groups led the effort for this historic investment that will benefit future generations of 4-H, FFA and other youth participants.

“Fairs are a big part of our culture here in Ohio, and we recognized the significant need to invest in the fairgrounds and its agricultural heritage,” DeWine said. “During the Ohio State Fair, the new Ohio Agriculture Center will be a true showcase of our state’s ag industry. Whether a fairgoer is enjoying food from commodities in the Taste of Ohio Café, cooking pizza with my wife, Fran, watching the birth of baby animals, or flying a drone, they’ll see how agriculture impacts their daily lives in a fun and engaging way.” 

The imAGine Ag exhibit is made possible through partnerships including Nationwide, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Bob Evans Farms, and the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.

The imAGine Ag exhibit will be open 9 a.m.to 9 p.m. for the duration of the Ohio State Fair, July 29 to Aug. 9.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.