COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine officially opened the new Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Nationwide® on Tuesday, marking the completion of one of several major construction projects at the Ohio State Fairgrounds ahead of the 2026 Ohio State Fair.
The 177,000-square-foot facility replaces two aging fairground buildings — the former Ohio Building, which housed the Taste of Ohio Café, and the Ag & Hort Building, which hosted the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Land & Living Exhibit along with horticulture and floriculture displays.
“We are pleased to celebrate the opening of the brand new Ohio Agriculture Center,” DeWine said. “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.”
DeWine said the new center will provide visitors with opportunities to learn more about Ohio agriculture through interactive exhibits, food experiences, and animal displays.
The opening is part of a larger transformation project at the Ohio State Fairgrounds supported by the Ohio General Assembly. Other improvements include the new Ohio Showcase Building, a Town Square area and amphitheater, renovations to the Dairy Building, Bricker Building and North Commercial Pavilion, as well as updated underground infrastructure, landscaping and expanded Wi-Fi access.
“The Ohio Agriculture Center is the new home for one of our largest industries — food and agriculture,” Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge said. “Our farmers, farm families, and rural communities have long laid the foundation for this grand opening.”
Baldridge said the facility will help showcase the contributions of Ohio farmers and producers while providing educational opportunities for future generations.
Adam Sharp, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau, said the new center represents a significant investment in agricultural education.
“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,” Sharp said.
The Ohio Agriculture Center will feature several attractions during the 2026 Ohio State Fair, including the imAGine Ag Exhibit, an interactive experience highlighting modern farming technology, science and innovation.
The exhibit includes displays focused on Ohio farm life, precision agriculture using drones, crop production, weather impacts, animal care, statewide agricultural facts and the history of farming.
Visitors also will find the Taste of Ohio Café, featuring Ohio agricultural commodities including dairy, poultry, beef, pork and lamb, along with Ohio beer and wine offerings in an indoor, air-conditioned dining area.
The Ohio Proud Showcase will highlight Ohio-grown products with cooking demonstrations, local flavors, hands-on activities and a general store featuring products from Ohio businesses.
The OVMA Animal Life & Learning Center will allow fairgoers to see animal care up close, including baby animals, hatching chicks, expectant pigs, goats, lambs, calves and ducks.
The center will also host the Ohio State Fair’s horticulture and floriculture competitions featuring plants and floral arrangements from gardeners and horticulture enthusiasts across the state.
The 2026 Ohio State Fair runs July 29 through Aug. 9 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
