Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine officially opened the new Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Nationwide® today, cutting the ribbon on the significant facility ahead of this year's Ohio State Fair. The 177,000-square-foot center replaces the former Ohio Building and the Ag & Hort Building, which previously housed the Taste of Ohio Café and the Ohio Farm Bureau's Land & Living Exhibit.
The new center is designed to host agricultural activities during the fair and serve as an event venue throughout the year. Governor DeWine highlighted the diverse experiences available, saying, "Whether spending time in the new Taste of Ohio Café, seeing the new imAGine Ag exhibit, seeing animals being born, or making a pizza with my wife Fran in the Ohio Proud Showcase, there will be so much agriculture to experience during this year’s Ohio State Fair."
This opening is part of a larger transformation of the state fairgrounds, supported by the Ohio General Assembly. Other new additions include the Ohio Showcase Building, a Town Square area, and an amphitheater, alongside renovations to the Dairy Building, Bricker Building, and North Commercial Pavilion.
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge emphasized the center's importance, saying, "The Ohio Agriculture Center is the new home for one of our largest industries – food and agriculture." Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau, added that the center represents "a significant investment in Ohio agriculture and agricultural education," aiming to inspire curiosity and build trust in the industry through immersive, hands-on learning.
The Ohio Agriculture Center will feature exhibits like the interactive imAGine Ag Exhibit, the Taste of Ohio Café, the Ohio Proud Showcase with live cooking demonstrations, and the OVMA Animal Life & Learning Center where visitors can meet baby animals. The Ohio State Fair is scheduled to run from July 29 through August 9, 2026.