Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine joined Ohio agricultural leaders Monday to officially open the new Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Nationwide®, one of several major improvements completed ahead of the 2026 Ohio State Fair.
The 177,000-square-foot facility replaces the former Ohio Building and the Ag & Hort Building, bringing several of the fair’s agriculture-related exhibits and attractions together under one roof.
“We are pleased to celebrate the opening of the brand new Ohio Agriculture Center. This building will not only be home to the agricultural activities during the Fair, but it will also be used the rest of the year as an event venue,” said Governor DeWine. “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.”
The new building is part of a larger modernization effort at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds, supported by the Ohio General Assembly. Other recent projects include the Ohio Showcase Building, a new Town Square and amphitheater, renovations to several existing buildings, upgraded underground utilities, landscaping, and expanded Wi-Fi across the fairgrounds.
“The Ohio Agriculture Center is the new home for one of our largest industries – food and agriculture,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. “Our farmers, farm families, and rural communities have long laid the foundation for this grand opening. Now, it is up to us to help build upon that legacy and showcase the strength and contributions of our farmers and producers. This investment in our state and future generations wouldn’t be possible without the support of Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio General Assembly, and Ohio’s agricultural community.”
The center features several new attractions, including the imAGine Ag Exhibit, an interactive experience highlighting modern farming technology and practices; the Taste of Ohio Café, serving Ohio-produced foods, beer, and wine; the Ohio Proud Showcase, featuring cooking demonstrations, local products, and educational exhibits; the OVMA Animal Life & Learning Center, where visitors can see baby animals and learn about livestock care; and the Ohio State Fair’s popular Horticulture and Floriculture competitions.
“The opening of the Ohio Agriculture Center and imAGine Ag exhibit represents a significant investment in Ohio agriculture and agricultural education,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “Thanks to the leadership of Gov. DeWine, the support of the Ohio General Assembly and the collaboration of partners across our industry, we’ve created an experience where fairgoers of all ages can discover the innovation and people behind Ohio agriculture. Through immersive, hands-on learning, we hope to inspire curiosity, build trust, and help every visitor better understand the role agriculture plays in the lives of every Ohioan.”
The Ohio Proud Showcase will also feature special appearances by First Lady Fran DeWine, who will host pizza-making demonstrations with children on July 31 at 11 a.m. and Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. She will also lead a “Coat of Many Colors” craft and book reading on Aug. 4 at 2 p.m.
The 2026 Ohio State Fair runs July 29 through August 9.
