Ohio Joint Agriculture Committee - 8-5-2026

Newman to lead us in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Taylor. So if we could arise. If you would please bow for prayer. My prayer is from God's Word in Psalm chapter 90. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, wherever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. For a thousand years in your sight is but as yesterday when it is past. Lord God, we look to you as our dwelling place, our source of wisdom, strength, goodness, all things come from you. And Lord, we look to you now for guidance as we conduct the business of the Agriculture Committee. Please give us your favor. Give us your wisdom. And Lord, we also ask for your blessings on Representative Mark Heiner as he's recovering from an automobile accident this week. Lord, bless him, strengthen him, give him full recovery. And may we all give honor and praise to you in the name of Jesus. Amen. Please join me in the prayer.

Will the clerk call the roll? Chairman Klopfenstein? Here. Vice Chair Newman? Here.

Representative Heiner is excused.

We have a quorum present. We'll proceed as a full committee. The minutes from the previous committee meeting are in your folders. Please review the minutes. Are there any objections to the minutes? Without objection, the minutes are approved. I would now invite my colleague, Senator Taylor, Vice Chair of the Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee, to provide opening remarks and call the Senate roll.

Vice Chair Kaler. Here. Senator Landis. Here. Senator Liston. Here. Senator Manchester. Here. Senator Reynolds. Here. Senator Wilkin. Here. We have a quorum.

Thank you, Senator Kaler. We're next going to start with brief introductions of my colleagues that are here. And whether I start at the left end, Representative, I can hardly see down there. Brent, if you would start with the introductions and work this way. Thank you, Chairman.

My name is Ty Moore. I'm the state representative of the 95th District. This is actually my third time back to the state fair. The first time I was here in 1979 and saw the Osmonds.

Hi, I'm Senator Beth Liston. I am representing Northern Franklin County. This is my first term in the Senate, but it started off in the House. And I, as a local girl, love the State Fair. Happy to be here in this role. Thank you.

Good morning. I'm Senator Susan Manchester representing Ohio's 12th Senate District, the number one agriculture district in the state of Ohio with Alan, Augles, Mercer, Shelby, Dark, Champaign, and Logan counties. I grew up on the family farm. My husband currently farms. I just had a baby and you can bet he's going to be riding the combine this fall. looking forward to hearing from you all today. Thank you.

Thank you, 10-gallon Wilkins. I'm Alan Landis, state representative for the 31st Ohio Senate District. I represent all of Wayne County, Tuscarawas County, Muskingum County, part of Stark County, and part of Guernsey County. I am a resident of Dover and Tuscarawas County, and it's great to be back at the great Ohio State Fair. Kyle Kaler state senator for the 10th Senate District which is Clark Green and Clinton County and of course we are the home of 4 and glad to be here today I run a small hobby farm where we raise horses and do maple syrup on our farm and glad to serve the folks of Ohio.

Good morning. I'm Jonathan Newman, state representative from District 80, which is Miami and Southern Dark County. I'm very proud and thankful to represent part of the leading ag county in the state of Ohio, Dark County. And it's wonderful to see a lot of Dark County and Miami County youth here with FFA, 4-H, et cetera. My first ever pig show was last year here at the state fair, and I won second place. It was all the pig, though. It was all the pig. Looking forward to my second pig show tonight. Hope to see you guys there. Thank you.

Well, we have one more. Senator Hicks-Hudson, if you would introduce yourself and tell us your life story.

Yes, sir. These folks up here, you've met them, but we wouldn't be here without our staff. If you are a staff to any of these House members or Senate members, could you please stand up? Well, thank you, folks. We have a wonderful lineup of speakers today that support Ohio's number one industry, that being agriculture. And we up front are not going to ask a lot of questions because we want to hear from these people and we want you to hear from these people. But one of the first points of recognition, the Ohio Quarter Horse Association is a guest here. and CEO Justin Billings. Justin's organization hosts the All-American Quarter Horse Congress here at the fairgrounds every October. The Congress is a month-long event, the largest single-breed horse show in the world. They bring hundreds of millions in economic revenue to our state each year. Thank you, Justin, and I don't see you at the moment, but if you could please stand. Thank you. Thank you for what you bring to the Expo Center and to our agricultural community. It is much appreciated. With that, we're going to limit our testimony Testimonies, try to, to four to five minutes. And first up today, Executive Director Adam Heffron with the Ohio Expo Center and the State Fair to provide testimony. Welcome, Adam. Incredible job. Your weather committee's fantastic. The buildings look fantastic. The ground's amazing. Thanks for being here.

Thank you, Adam. I'm going to divide the questions to my left and right, so we're going to start on my left. Do we have a question on my left? Senator Brent, or I mean Representative Brent.

That a great question and one that we can very easily answer And I think the best person to do that for us will be our last speaker Adam Sharp because he going to go on to explain our Imagine Ag exhibit in the Ag Center And a key principle-forming foundation for that Ag exhibit is explaining and showcasing the careers in agriculture that go beyond most of what we expect, from picking beans to the technology behind agriculture. I think our Imagine Ag exhibit in the Agriculture Center has done a phenomenal job showcasing what career opportunities are available to Ohioans.

Adam, you and your staff have been construction managers for years while maintaining these fabulous, while hosting events at these grounds. I assume it's a lot easier this year with most of the construction done. But my question, and thank you for all that work. The grounds are fabulous. The buildings are incredible. Air conditioning is appreciated, especially this afternoon. My question is, though, on the carousel, which one of the carousel creations do you ride when you ride the carousel? Which is your favorite? Representative Peterson, through the chairs, that is a very profound question. You know, I would hate to answer that for fear that it might taint somebody for not wanting to ride the menagerie piece that I want to ride. I was very fortunate on the first ride that we had on opening week ago Saturday. We had the grand opening, the ribbon cutting, and it was National Carousel Day. Very, very fitting. And I was lucky enough to ride on the llama. So I would have to say that's my favorite because that was my first ride on the carousel was the llama.

to committee well good morning everyone my name is ed selett and i'm honored to be your 2026 ohio fairs queen i am a 13-year 4-h member from erie county ohio way up on the lake by cedar point And from a very young age, I grew up surrounded by agriculture, as my mom's family owns a dairy farm in Erie County. My holidays were always spent on the farm, and we could never open Christmas presents until all the cows were milked and all the chores were done. With all that being said, I am no stranger to agriculture and how it impacts our daily lives. In fact, I would only come to appreciate it more as I got older. throughout the past 13 years I have been very actively involved in 4-H from club officers to being a member of my junior fair board a camp counselor and a part of our royalty program I knew from a young age that this was a program that I truly loved and I knew it could take me anywhere but I had no idea just how far anywhere would be I have been able to travel with Ohio 4 to Puerto Rico and Greece on cultural immersion trips getting to see parts of the world I never would have known existed I was able to see how agriculture thrives in other parts of the world and how it supports communities just like ours. It showed me that agriculture is truly what holds us together. No matter where we are in the world, we all have the same agricultural needs and values. After coming back from Greece and Puerto Rico, I had my eyes open to an entirely new world. I felt like I had grown in my personal leadership as well as my ability to help others. In 2025, I was selected as a State Leadership Achievement Award winner. This highly applied to award is given to around 30 individuals across the state. And this award allows the recipients to travel to National 4-H Congress in Georgia over Thanksgiving break. After attending Congress, I was amazed by how many kids were there that love 4-H the way that I do. Spending a week with like-minded people not only formed lifelong friendships, but gave me so many skills to bring back to Ohio. Each year, National 4-H Congress is run by a team of eight youth across the nation who attended the event the previous year. After coming home, I decided that this would be something so cool to be a part of, and so I applied in January, not very hopeful considering kids from across the nation were applying for only eight spots. However, later that month, I found out I was chosen as a member to represent Ohio on this team. I would help to shape this program for the coming year. If that wasn't enough good news for a lifetime, this past January, I was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame, an award that I never would have imagined I would receive. It felt as though all my hard work and dedication to this program had finally come across. Then came the Ohio Fair Managers Association Convention in January, where I was honored to represent Erie County as their 2025 queen, never expecting to walk away at the end of the week with a new crown and the most amazing experience in front of me. Being your Ohio Fairs queen has been such an incredible honor. So far, I have been able to attend 36 fairs and have so many more to go. I have been able to meet with so many different people, promoting agriculture and showing them just how much 4-H and FFA can impact a kid's life. At every fair, I will always stop to talk to those who may not know exactly what ag is and when they ask me about my crown. I try to teach as many people as possible that ag is for everyone. It is a critical part of everyone's lives, even though they might not realize it. I try to show youth that by getting involved in ag, they can make a real difference. By working together, both 4-H and FFA, a positive effect and change can be made in our world. And it's because of how much ag has impacted me that I have chosen to dedicate my life to it. In the fall, I will be a freshman at The Ohio State University studying agricultural communications with hopes to become an extension agent in the future, in order to give back to the program that has shaped me into who I am today. So on behalf of all the children whose lives have been changed by agriculture, thank you. Thank you for supporting our dreams and ambitions. Thank you for showing us that agriculture is the backbone of our life. Thank you for shaping our futures. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you for being here today. I obviously have to do public speaking for work, and I still hate it, and it still gives me anxiety. And so I'm just so impressed with your public speaking skills. So thank you for being here. My question for you, why is it important for us as agriculture committee members to continue investing in agriculture for our youth? I think what's so important is that from a young age, kids really see how much ag impacts them. And so by continuing to invest in their futures, kids' lives can be opened up and changed just by all the opportunities that ag can provide them. And with your continued support, kids are able to continue to experience those things. And without having those experiences, we may never know what some of those doors that are open to us. So with your support, we are able to grow and become your future leaders. Thank you.

Well, good morning, and thank you, co-chairs, and welcome to the full committee, the joint committee. On behalf of the governor, lieutenant governor, welcome to the 2026 Ohio State Fair. So I'm going to deviate real quick, and I have to introduce one, why we're doing this and showcasing agriculture and showcasing our young people. This young lady, there's some others coming later, but this young lady I want to introduce because she has got to get to the goat barn because the show is going on and she has got to go show. So I want to make sure we introduce this young lady with her animal and she can say who she is and where she's from if that's okay, co-chairs. Hi, I'm Braylon Miller. I'm from Marion County. This is Scooter. She was born in January of this year and she is actually getting ready to show in the Brown Arena, which is just right over there with where the sheep and goats are at. So if you have a chance, come over and watch the show, but that's where I have to go. So thank you. thank you co-chairs for that she literally has to get back so she can show her goat but again as we think about this fairgrounds and where it's at without the leadership of the governor in his time the investment the commitment from the governor and the first lady in her priority this is amazing as we think about agriculture as a whole what has been invested during his administration, whether it's investment in H2Ohio and water quality, whether it's investment in our new animal disease diagnostic lab, which we will be opening at the end of the year, whether it's the MALC at Ohio State University, the multi-species learning center, and also Ohio Agricultural Center here on the state fairgrounds. The commodity partners, you walk into that center, our commodity partners are feeding the fairgoers with their wonderful products that we are so proud of. The Ohio Proud Showcase is the Ohio Department of Agriculture space, and we have an Ohio Proud store in there. We have Fran's Kitchen in there. Folks, that space has been full throughout the whole fair. It's been exciting. I wanted to circle back to the Ohio Proud program. That is a program that we showcase, showcase agricultural products grown, raised, processed, right here in our great state We lift them up those entrepreneurs those startups those small mid and large companies We have to tell that agricultural story and we realize how important it is to our agricultural economy to lift up those companies and help them strive. So we are proud of the Ohio Proud program. I'm going to dive into this young lady with her goat had to sneak out. As we look at our young people that are the best of the best showcasing here in the state of Ohio, we have 30,000 young people that are members of FFA. We have 197,000 4-H members engaged all across our state. 5,000 of those young people are participating here at the State Fair. All 88 counties are represented. Here's a couple of our young people right here. And yes, co-chair, you are correct. There is a little competitiveness between Director Mertz and myself, you know, and she brings some wonderful wildlife that we showcase here in Ohio. And maybe each year we're a little competitive, but I wanted to bring these two young people and also our young person with our goat and let them introduce themselves. They are showcasing the best of the best here in the great state of Ohio. Hi, my name is Sydney Dyer. I'm from Hardin County. This is Evelyn. She is a Tunis Yearling U, which means she is a year old right now. Hi, my name is Katie Berry, and we are from Wayne County. I have a brown Swiss calf. She's dairy, and she was born in March. So she is still just a little baby. Well, folks, that's what is so exciting to be here at the State Fair, to see our young people exhibiting, participating, making friends for a lifetime, and best of all, telling the Ohio agricultural story. I'm going to shift as I finish up, maybe just to shift away from my testimony. and Senator Kaler, co-chair, I want to mention something about my dear friend, past county commissioners together, past state representatives together. But I would just question the protocol from your standpoint on this committee on being able to wear a hat. But I will say he has participated in the Buckeye battle for the bacon in the hog show and the hog barn. So maybe that is enough. so as I mentioned that show coming up this evening this is the legislative show that we bring senators representatives and members of the cabinet in to have a fun time they get to meet young people they get the 10-minute tutorial and then they go into that pig ring and they get to show a pig and realize how much work it is we also had the buckeye battle for Ohio in the sheep barn earlier this week on opening day. And as Director Mertz got ready to walk into the ring, she said, Director, you did not tell me I had to show this lamb by myself. And she did great as well as everybody did, but she texted me the next morning. And she said, Brian, that was so much fun and those young people are amazing. So thank you for that comment. That meant so much and it is so true. Don't want to forget the Celebrity Steer Show at 4 o so the Celebrity Steer shows at 4 o That amazing down in Voinovich Also Battle for Bacon at 6 tonight Hope everybody comes out Members of the committee so glad to be in front of you showcasing the best of the best when it comes to Ohio agriculture. Thank you, Director.

Senator Hicks-Hudson. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Director, for being here. I'm very pleased to see your enthusiasm, as always. And the fact that you and we agree about highlighting the future and the young people that are so part of this agriculture. Can you just talk just briefly about how H2Ohio continues to support, from your vantage point, the issue that, as our queen talked about, she's up that way north by the lake and how things that you're doing to really help protect all of our waterways, not just Lake Erie. Thank you. Through the co-chairs, to the senator, my dear friend, absolutely. H2Ohio has been an amazing program and from the agriculture community, we have been there, been there part of the solution with the incentivized program and being able to showcase that we in the ag community care about water quality. We care about soil health. It is our foundation of what we do in agriculture. It's how we can raise, produce, and grow more than 200 different species and crops here in our great state. So we care. The ag community has stepped up to be part of the solution. We have been. I commend the ag community each and every day as they continue to work hard, as we want to, as our generation, move things forward. and it's left to us, but we wanted to leave it better for the future, and we're here for that solution. Thank you.

Vice Chair Newman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Director Baldrige, for your testimony today. Wonderful things happened at the fair for Ohioists to see Ohio agriculture on display. You've had the opportunity to travel abroad to other countries. could you just shed a little bit of light on how important it is what's happening here in Ohio to the world Ohio is important to the world could you just shed a little bit light on that absolutely through the co-chairs to the representative and you know one of the programs I wanted to lift up at ODA that was at development great work being done in collaboration with ag and the department of development was the agricultural export we brought that program back to the Ohio Department of agriculture because I wanted us to be doing it all day long, thinking about how we create markets and lift up agriculture, and then dreaming about it all night long, figuring out how we can do that. What I didn't know was meaning I was going to have to travel a little bit out of country. I love Ohio and I like to be here, but two things. One, I was in Panama. We met with a lot of wholesalers and a lot of retailers, and turning the jars and cans of products in their stores, seeing how many were coming from right here in Ohio was amazing to me. Shift Gears had opportunity with Ohio's corn, with Ohio's soybean. We went to Japan and we went to Vietnam. In Japan, literally, we are the second largest state in container shipments of soybeans abroad. That's amazing to think about. We're not the largest soybean producer. We're number five, but we are number two when it comes to shipping in containers. and I was able to stand in Tokyo at a warehouse and point to the Ohio Proud logo on bags of food grade soybeans that were coming from our great state of Ohio So it has been amazing and even I knew this but I didn realize it and see it firsthand It's a great feeling as we think about what Ohio means to the world as our Ohio producers continue to feed Ohioans, feed the nation, and feed the world. Thank you Director. Thanks for your leadership for Ohio Agriculture. Thank you.

All right. Good morning, Chairman and members of the Joint Agriculture Committee. Distinguished guests, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is Samantha Bader, and I have the honor of serving as your 2026 Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board President. On behalf of our entire Junior Fair Board, thank you for your continued support of Ohio agriculture, Ohio's youth, and the Ohio State Fair. Every summer, hundreds and thousands of people walk to the Ohio State Fair grounds. They come from many different reasons. Some come for rides, the food, or even the entertainment. in. Others come to cheer on family members in the show ring or even to visit their favorite food exhibits. But if you look a little closer, you'll discover that the Ohio State Fair is much more than what people come to see. It is the place where young people discover who they are. Long before the gates open each morning, exhibitors are already in the barns caring for their animals. Volunteers are preparing for another day of serving others. Junior Fair Board members are setting up events, welcoming guests, answering questions, and stepping in wherever they are needed. Most visitors every morning never see those moments. They don't see the early mornings, the long days, the months of preparation that made this week possible, but those moments are where the real impact of the Ohio State Fair is found. The Junior Fair Board is a small part of that story and it's a privilege to serve alongside other remarkable leaders from across our state. Each of us come from a different community. We represent different youth organizations, different experiences, and different dreams of the future. Yet we are put on blue polos. Those differences become our greatest strengths. Together we work towards one shared purpose, serving the Ohio State Fair and the people who make it so special. Leadership on the Junior Fair Board isn't about standing on stage or holding a title. It's found in the quiet moments. It's helping exhibitor find the right barn where they're supposed to show their animals or when they're already running late. It's answering a family's question with a smile and it's staying after an event to clean up a space you know someone has to do it. Those moments may seem small but together they leave a lasting impression on the fair and on thousands of people who visit each the fair each year. The Ohio State Fair is also one of those few places where people from every corner of our state come together. Here, someone who has never stepped onto a farm can have a conversation with a young exhibitor who has spent their entire life raising animals. A child can learn where their food comes from by asking a question and seeing agriculture firsthand. Visitors can discover the importance of a conversation, natural resources, our pollinators, and many people who work in the agricultural field. Those who work make agricultural possible. Those conversations spark curiosity, and curiosity is often where lifelong passion is found, and agriculture begins. Those conversations matter because they build understanding. They strengthen connections between agriculture and the communities we serve. They remind us that agriculture is not just in Ohio's leading industry. It's a way of life built on stewardship, hard work, innovation, and service. As Junior Fair Board members, we also recognize that we represent something much larger than ourselves. We have spent countless hours preparing for projects, caring for livestock, practicing demonstrations, and challenging themselves to learn something new. The ribbon awarded this week are certainly meaningful, but the greatest achievement isn't a blue ribbon. It's the confidence built through trying something new. It's the responsibility learned through caring for another living thing. It's the friendships formed towards a common goal. It's a character that has developed one lesson, one challenge, and one opportunity at a time. Those lessons, young people carry home along from the fair when it ends. They become tomorrow's farmers, veterinarians, educators, scientists, business owners, engineers, and community leaders. This is why Ohio State Fair matters, not simply because it celebrates Ohio agricultural heritage, but because it shapes Ohio's future. To each member of this committee, thank you for believing in the opportunities and invest in young people. Thank you for supporting agricultural education, and thank you for recognizing the importance of programs that challenge us to lead, to serve, and to grow. When this year's fair comes to a close, the rides will leave, the barns will empty, and the lights will dim. But the lessons learned here will travel home with every young person who has walked through these grounds. Those lessons will continue to strengthen our communities, our state, and the future of Ohio agriculture. On behalf of the 2026 Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board, thank you for your leadership, your partnership, and your unwavering support to Ohio's youth. We are honored to serve alongside you, and we look forward to rebuilding a future for Ohio agriculture together. Thank you.

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a lot of people walk through these fairgrounds every day, whether they're from an agricultural background or not. The State Fair is a great place. We come from all different counties all over Ohio, but when we come to the State Fair, all those backgrounds combine. People learn about agriculture, whether they grew up in it or not, and the best part about that is the Ohio State Fair grows with those communities. We are ambassadors of the fair as Junior Fair Board, so we serve as an important part of sharing that agricultural information and things to the public, but the best part about the Ohio State Fair is that we get to share from all different backgrounds and get to build those and strengthen those communities further.

Thank you, Chair. President Bader, congratulations on 2026. That's a lot of responsibility. So as a former educator, I always got to see in my students, in my athletes, and in my student body organization leaderships, many students that were also in FFA or 4 Junior Fair Board and they shined and they shined really well at the fairs So my question to you is we see so much good that comes out of these opportunities and these leadership roles. What is it going to do for you? Where are you taking yourself and all these skills that you have after 2026 is over? Yeah, I'm really glad you asked that question. So a lot of people are like, why would you join the Junior Fair Board? Well, I knew I had a list of skills that I could put on a piece of paper and show to everyone. But what I really wanted to know and I knew to myself is that I wanted to build those skills more. They weren't to where my standards wanted to be, and I knew that I had opportunities out there that would continue to build those for me. So I found Junior Fair Board, and it has created a lot of skills like public speaking, time management, problem-solving skills. We come up with a lot of different jobs that just pop up out of nowhere in the Junior Fair Board, and we have to attend to it. We have to serve it. We have to figure out problems that pop up. But one of those skills is time management and public speaking. When I started 4-H as a 9-year-old, I was completely scared to talk in front of people. And now I'm standing here as alumni of 4-H being able to talk freely in front of you, which is a huge accomplishment. I'm very proud of the place I am in today. So those skills that I learn and I hone into within the Junior Fair Board, that organization is great. It does that for a lot of our members. so out of that it builds up those communities and especially those skills that I was talking about to be able to go into my future career whether it's at an agriculture or in an office those skills I'm able to put forward in my future career thank you thank you thank you for all your work on behalf of not only the youth of Ohio but the fairs and the junior fair at Ohio State Fair here

Good morning, good morning, Chairman Koffenstein, Chairman Kaler, and members of the joint committee. So excited to see you here today. So, yeah, we have a few friends to share with you, you know, and if you're counting, it's more than what Brian brought up here. So we have a wonderful box turtle there, which, by the way, Representative Peterson, that's what I rode on the carousel. We have the symbol of America, the beautiful bald eagle. And if you come and visit the Natural Resources Park at the State Fair, you will see it festooned in red, white, and blue. It is full of banners and a birthday cake. We want you to walk in and want to spontaneously break into the Star Spangled Banner. But we are proud to have this eagle in our space for people to see something incredible that makes us very proud. And I'm very proud of the return of the bald eagle in Ohio. You know, back in the 70s, we were down to a few pair. And now we have over a thousand nesting pairs. and we have seen a tremendous resurgence because of the good work of the team at the Department of Natural Resources and other people across the state. I think we have here, we'll work on the eagle there, we have a barn owl coming out. We're equally proud of, we have some amazing species. I'm going to keep talking while you enjoy these species, so it's great to be back here with all of you. A big thanks to Governor DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Trestle, and this group for your continued faith and investment in Ohio's great outdoors. So thank you. You all have been instrumental in the success of major projects across the state And Chairman Klopfenstein I want to point out one of the things we are most proud of is H2Ohio and it has done a lot of work in your district. Your district covers a lot of the Maumee River watershed, and that is a key area for us to invest. So we've conducted 17 wetland restoration projects, six H2Ohio Rivers Program projects, projects, an investment of over $16 million. And H2Ohio is one of the most important accomplishments of this department over the years. And I think one way for the Agriculture Committee to look at it is every dollar we put on the ground, everything we do to reduce phosphorus through our work is a little less pressure on the farming community. So we are there as the backup and the support and to make it easier for the farming committee. And this is a beautiful red-tailed hawk, and I hope you enjoy seeing these natural wonders of Ohio. So the state fair is a wonderful place where we can give folks a glimpse into the work we do across the entire state. We want people to become more involved. We want them interested in our mission. We want them to fall in love with the great outdoors and help preserve it for the future. So you will see I have submitted a very long testimony. And don't worry, I am not going to read it all. What that is is a symbol of how incredibly proud I am of the work of the Department of Natural Resources team. They work every day. So let me just hit a few highlights. I'm going to hop, skip, and jump. Parks. We are really proud of what we've accomplished in parks. We won the award to be the industry recognized award for number one in the nation and that is because of the investment you all have allowed us to do. And I'll share with you we have invested in some technology to estimate the visitation at our state parks. Right? Because we don't charge tickets, we don't charge for parking, there's not a clean way to do that. But some new technology, analyzing cell phone use, and working really hard with them, we estimate over 70 million visits in 2025. 70 million visits. And we do the work to support all of that visitation. In our parks now, we have renovated or built more than 30 new nature centers and welcome centers to help people have access. We've established just one new park. We've improved the amenities on the islands. It's been a terrific time for parks, so very proud of that. We've also invested in the H2Ohio program. I'll just mention that again. From a conservation stewardship perspective, that is one of our chief accomplishments, and we're proud of what we've been able to do there. We are moving the needle on phosphorus reduction, and that is what we promise to do, and working together with researchers what we have delivered. In the wildlife area, our habitat management is bigger and better than ever. Like I said, the eagle, we've seen the resurgence. We were really pleased to be able to delist the trumpeter swan because there are so many in the state now. That is a comeback story that is decades in the making, and we're proud to support that. Our fisheries are stocking more than ever. we stock at 233 locations across the state so protecting land and habitat the Division of Wildlife has excelled we are proud of what we accomplished with it our division of natural areas and preserves we have designated numerous new state nature preserves We have designated new scenic rivers We are protecting more land more waterways than ever before They are a strong, thriving division, and we're pleased with what they've accomplished. Eagle was pretty close there. In the area of our forests, we've established a new Buckeye tree nursery, And if you visit our park, you'll see a little mini version of it where it's been so exciting. We're selling the little seedlings that we're producing at the state nursery. We have sold hundreds and hundreds and hundreds. People are thrilled to see that we're doing that. We're also doing outstanding work in abandoned mine land reclamation, our abandoned mine land economic revitalization program. we've invested over $100 million in Appalachian communities in Ohio on economic programs, our orphan well plaguing our dam safety I don't know, this is sort of my last chance to address this group and brag on the incredible people at the Department of Natural Resources and all that they are able to accomplish with support from you all so I'm very, very proud of that pleased to be here pleased to show off the fruits of the labors maintaining an environment that supports these species is good for us too. It's good for the humans. It's good for the future of Ohio. So very proud of it. Really pleased to be here and happy to answer any questions.

we will work with all of our vendors and attendees here and try to get some Ohio water on order for you. Promise to look into that.

Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Director, for your testimony. I had a question about the deer population and the number you checked. It seemed like quite a bit. Is the population of the deer pretty high, and is there any policy or plans we have to maybe mitigate that a little bit more and address that? Well, Representative Barhorst, through the chair, that is a great question. So that is something we are constantly monitoring. I mean, on the one hand, we are very proud that we have great harvest rates when deer season hits. But at the same time, we have an entire team of deer scientists. So every single year, we monitor that number. And they bring their recommendations to the Wildlife Council as we look at what the new limits are. And we try to adjust them, you know, by different areas in the state and where we need to take more action. I do know it's a constant conflict with farmers. Appreciate that and look forward to continuing to work with them. We have regular meetings with the Ohio Farm Bureau to discuss those policies and get feedback from them on what they're hearing from different parts of the state to try to mitigate any bad effects. But, I mean, we are committed to working with the farming community. We like to eat, too, and so we like to see the farming communities thriving while at the same time having a population that can satisfy our hunting public. But we're constantly adjusting it to address that. Thank you.

My name is Evelyn Hill, and as you so nicely said, I have the privilege of serving as the president of the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council. Today, I just want to share how one simple decision changed the complete trajectory of my life and why that same opportunity should continue to be available for young people across Ohio. So eight years ago, I joined 4-H in Fairfield County. I didn't grow up on a farm, and my family wasn't involved in agriculture. To be honest, agriculture felt like something I observed from the outside, rather than something I belonged to. But that's what makes 4-H unique. 4-H doesn't ask where you come from. It asks where you're willing to grow. Through hands-on learning, caring mentors, and opportunities I never imagined, I gained an appreciation for agriculture, not just in industry, but as the foundation of our communities. I learned responsibility, science, leadership, and service. I discovered that agriculture reaches far beyond the farm and influences our health, economy, our environment, and the future of our state. Most importantly, 4-H taught me to say yes. Yes to trying something new. Yes to the leadership opportunities before I knew I was fully ready. And yes to the challenges that pushed me outside my comfort zone. These simple yeses became the opportunity that shaped who I am today. Because I said yes, I found my voice. I learned to lead teams, advocate for others, and represent youth from every corner of Ohio. These experiences gave me confidence that no classroom alone was going to teach me. Today I'm a student at Otterbein University studying biochemistry and health sciences with the goal of becoming an emergency medicine physician. Every day I rely on critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that 4-H helped me develop long before I stepped onto that college campus. As president of the Ohio 4-H Team Leadership Council, I have the opportunity to work alongside truly remarkable young people from across our state. Some come from generations of farming families. Others like me had little connection to agriculture when they first joined. What unites us isn't where we started, it's what 4-H made possible. 4-H developed leaders who return to their return to strengthen their communities. It prepares young people for careers in agriculture, healthcare, education, business, engineering, public service, and countless other fields. It teaches responsibility resilience and the confidence to solve problems that don have easy answers Those are qualities that every community in Ohio needs The investment made in 4 is far more than an investment in a youth program It is an investment in Ohio's future workforce, future leaders, and future citizens. I am standing here today because someone believed programs like 4-H are worth investing in. My hope is that the next generation, regardless of their background or zip code, have the same opportunities to discover what they are capable of. Thank you for believing in Ohio's youth, for supporting programs that change lives, and for giving me the opportunity to share my story with you today.

Representative Brent. Thank you, Chair. As a person who did 4-H for a long time, a long, long time ago, thank you for coming here before our committee. Once a 4-H or always a 4-H-er. But as one of the best parts about being here at the State Fair is seeing the 4-H exhibits. As a visitor, people who are coming here, what is the one message you want all of our visitors to take home after viewing all the 4-H exhibit projects?

I always joke that after I started, I always went to all the superintendents at my county fair. and I started asking all the questions to try to learn more and understand. So really getting their foot in the door and 4-H's for everyone, I think is the message that I would love them to take home. Question to my right? Okay. Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate you being here and appreciate all the time you spend bringing your leadership skills to the 4-H program.

Next up, Executive Director Don Jones with the USDA Farm Service Agency. Welcome, Don. Good to see you again. The podium is yours.

Well, Director Jones, we do appreciate short speeches. Since every one of us up here probably has your cell phone number, I would say committee members, you can read the full testimony, and we're going to forego questions for you today.

Next up, we have State FFA Vice President Paige Garrett. Welcome to our Joint Ag Committee. It is good to have you here today. The podium is yours.

Ohio. Thank you, Paige, for being here today. We have one question for you. Representative King.

senator Manchester thank you chairman and congratulations page it's so

in the past? Yeah, so I would say that one of my favorite FFA memories is an event that was actually held by my own chapter. It's called the Green Hand Conference, the Versailles FFA Green Hand Conference, and what we do at that conference is we get some new younger members who are starting their first year in FFA, pursuing their Green Hand degree, to kind of get excited for FFA and to teach them a little bit more about what exactly that entails, and it was always a very big favorite of mine because it was an opportunity within my own chapter to reach out and to have those leadership opportunities and to be able to interact with people from across the state. And I'm even more excited to share it now because I'm going to be able to return back as now a state officer back to my visiting home chapter. Thank you. Thank you, Paige, for your service to the Ohio FFA

Thank you, Chair. I'll defer to Don for FSA. I'm State Director for Rural Development. On behalf of the President Ohio own Vice President Secretary Rollins appreciate the opportunity to serve today I don have animals and we not always on the farm We kind of the community around the farm which is where we bring money So we've got about $1.3 billion that we've invested in Ohio in this last fiscal year that we're focused to finish up by the end of September. And I'll mention rurals. Typically, we look at under 60,000. It's kind of the population where we're focused at. and typically the smaller the community and the lower the median housing income is, the more we can do. 88 programs. Do not question me on all of them. I don't have staff here to back me up, so thank you on that. Having said that, I want to give you kind of a quick summary that you can understand how we go to this. There's three main areas that we focus on. One is housing, whether it's direct housing loans, guaranteed loans, or development. The other side is business and industry. So we do direct. We do guarantee. We also do some things that Don gets asked about all the time, which are called grants. We do have grants that come in. We have several grants available right now. And windows are closing. Even our meat processor expansion program applications are closing on the 7th. If you saw me playing on my phone, I'm literally getting applications in as we speak. So those are the kind of things we handle. The third one is kind of a pain point that I understand a lot of state reps, state senators deal with, and that's community facilities. When you've got mayors, township trustees, county commissioners coming in saying, hey, we need to build this, that's a lot of times where we can come in and help. Whether it's a guaranteed loan that we can assist with or a direct loan, we can assist both nonprofits and community entities, different types of municipalities, government entities, with what we call patient money. Those are lower interest rates, longer amortization, and sometimes it means setting up so that they can put together a project and then go, having been a council member, I know what this is like, to go, okay, I've got a project, now how do I get it funded because I only have two nickels to rub together, how do I get the rest of the money put together? Those are areas that we can assist with. What you'll find at your seat, you'll have one of these. Chairman, I did provide a testimony. I'm not going to go through all the details of that. If you want some details on the programs and dollar amounts we've given out, you can look into that. I encourage you to take a look at the back of this. There's a little QR code on that. And what you'll find is actually a variety of interesting pieces of information. Most importantly is an eligibility map, which will tell you what areas are eligible for which program. So you don't have to dig through 88 programs. You can figure out, based on this address, what programs are available at that address. So whether it's MAGA, MAHA, or something we take very seriously, as the Secretary said July 6th of last year, Farm security is national security. We do take all those pieces very seriously. And I appreciate the working with various chairmen and various representatives and senators on that issue. One other issue that's worth mentioning is our fertilizer expansion program. We have about a half a billion dollars across the country. The administration is very focused on making sure fertilizer inputs are reduced in cost and also not held hostage by foreign entities. We want to make sure we have plenty of capacity locally for that. So that is an issue we're working with, and that is an open grant opportunity as well, which is up to a 50% grant. So if there's companies that are ready to move forward, and I greatly appreciate Director Baldrige being able to work with him. His team has been helping us move this forward. Some of these windows are very short, so we make sure we fully engage on that. So with that, I will just say it's great. We've got Buckeyes helping Buckeyes here in the state. Five offices spread out across the state. Happy to help. Please reach out to us. We encourage that. And I just kind of leave you with we really are focused on having our federal programs align with your state priorities Thank you very much sir We appreciate your testimony today We appreciate your service to Ohio farmers

Welcome to committee. The floor is yours. Thank you, Chairman, Vice Chairs, Ranking Members, members of the committee. Again, thank you for the opportunity to join you today in the celebration of Ohio agriculture. My name is Jed Bauer, and as you mentioned earlier, I think we must have run out of young people. Because I don't feel, I've been at this game a long time now, and I started when I was young, and this is a battle that we're going to continue to continue to pursue. The young people that have spoke earlier are going to have to pick up our sticks and continue this fight. Agriculture is in a tough situation now, and we're going to continue that, unfortunately, in the near future. And it's vital that we have the voice and have you. It's so enlightening to have you here today and listen to the struggles that we see on our farms and the battles that we're dealing with on a daily basis. Each year, more than 38,000 Ohioans work on farms like mine to raise America's crop, corn. The grain we produce feeds and fuels the world through thousands of consumer goods, whether it's on your plate as meat, dairy, or snacks, in your gas tank as high-octane ethanol, or entering in advanced manufacturing processes. Corn is a part of everyday Ohioans' life. Over the past year, I've had the distinct honor to represent more than 500,000 corn farmers across this great country. In 2026, we focused on looking to the future of farming and laying groundwork for new demand that will keep those family farms viable into the next 250 years. We've advocated for higher blends of ethanol on road. We began the critical work of expanding opportunities for leveraging American agricultural products for sustainable advanced manufacturing processes. And we fought hard to open new markets around the globe and defend those domestic markets right here in North America. But there is significant work to do. Just in the last generation of farmers, our productivity has soared. soared, increasing yields and quality gains that have afforded us an incredible supply of corn at each harvest. It is now our job to turn that abundance into real value for our growers. The work you all have pursued right here in Ohio has played a major role in the effort that we pursue. Each of you has served as an ambassador for our industry, carrying the message of family farmers to your colleagues and ensuring Ohioans can farm successfully and share in that bounty of farming as consumers. Thank you all for the work you've performed on our behalf. Corn has been part of the American experiment since the very beginning. Ohio's great Farmers know we have an important role to play in our nation's history. And we continue to play that role because we are passionate about this work. And with your help, we will continue our success story for generations to come. So in closing, let me thank all the farmers here today. Without all of you, organizations like the National Corn Growers Association could not accomplish all that we have. Your ongoing support and the critical service you provide to our nation make all the difference today. We recognize you and I salute you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. I just want, Jed's a neighbor of mine, Little Lady Farms across the road from me in one location. I'm very proud of and grateful for the work that he does representing corn farmers across this country. His travel schedule over the last year has been brutal and exciting, to say the least. But we're proud of Jed. We're proud of Dwayne Statler, who's leading the national pork producers. We're proud of Scott Metzger, leading the American Soybean Association. And I think that's a tribute to Ohio, Ohio 4-H, Ohio FFA, and the great youth that you've seen today will become state and national leaders in the near future. And that's exciting, and that's what 4-H and FFA does is they grow leaders. And, Jed, you might want to introduce the guest you have with you. Thank you, Representative Peterson. I did bring my daughter, who is the Fayette County Pork Queen, with me today, so thank you for that. Thank you, and we appreciate your testimony and your service. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Good afternoon, Chairman Coffinstein and Chairman Kaler and members of the Joint Senate and House Ag Committee. Clearly, I'm not Dwayne Statler, and it is my great honor that I get to read his testimony to you. he sends his regrets because he had a medical procedure, so he's unable to be with us. I'm Dwayne Statler. I'm a fourth-generation pig farmer and the owner of Statler Family Farms. Our farm is a feeder-to-finish operation, marketing 15,600 head annually. He's been a member of the Ohio Pork Council Board, served as past president, and numerous committee, and I will add a mentor to our young leaders. He's currently serving as immediate past president of the National Pork Producer Council, which he represented over 60 American pig farmers and he still doing that in his role on the international side In the past our farm has been chosen as one of the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms which includes opening their farm and their records to those individuals and groups who constantly attack the industry. But aside from his dedication to agriculture, he has served on the Macomb Fire Department as the chief. He's served as a Macomb School Board member, state fire investigator, and state arson task force. I want, on behalf of joining, I want to thank all of you committee members for your strong and continuous support of Ohio's number one industry. The new Ohio Veterinary Dynastic Laboratory, or as us pork producers like to say, the Dr. Tony Forzi VDL, will help protect our livestock by providing all the latest equipment and testing right here in the state of Ohio. That'll serve the farmers and veterinarians valuable time. They'll save them valuable time and provide the best possible care for our livestock. The list of what you do to protect Ohio farmers is too long for just one paragraph. In recent years, aside from the lab's completion coming soon, you passed our feral swine legislation. Protecting Ohio's pig farmers from a disease like farmers in Texas and Iowa recently experienced. Additionally, you've supported the Protect Ohio initiative to help current and educate more veterinarians in the state, which are desperately need to serve the farmers and their livestock. The Ohio General Assembly also showed the continued support for H2O program. These programs are a shared commitment between you, the legislators, and farmers for clean, safe water and healthy environment. Please accept my apologies for not being able to attend today in person to shake your hand and say thank you. What an honor it is to ask to be testified, but allow me to once again to say thank you for everything you're doing for agriculture. Your continued support allows the farmers to supply good nutrition protein to the citizens of Ohio and beyond. Thank you.

Thank you. I don't think I could ever replace Duane. He's kind of one of a kind. Thank you.

Thanks, Chairman. Thanks, ranking members. Thanks, committee members. And on behalf of the 60,000 Farm Bureau members across the state of Ohio and all 88 counties, we appreciate the invitation to be here today. I'm just going to tell a quick little story. That's going to be my testimony. Tony. About two months ago, we took our board of directors, 26 farmers, out to the state of California to meet with the California Farm Bureau and have a discussion and challenge them about what they want to do with the future of agriculture here in this state. At the end of that meeting, we asked them to share with us, what did you take home from this trip? What were your insights? We had with us still in the meeting at that time, the former president of California Farm Bureau, Paul Winger. Representative Peterson knows Paul Winger. Paul stood up and he said this to our board. He goes, I just want to leave you guys with one thought as you're going back to Ohio. He said, California agriculture by receipts is by far the largest agricultural state in the country. And it is. Even bigger than Iowa, despite Iowa's ego. Even bigger than Iowa. And he said, however, we are no longer an agricultural state in the view of the public, of our policymakers, or of our business community. He said, we've lost that. We've lost that. And he turned to my board of directors, all of our farmers, and he said, Ohio is an agricultural state. Never lose that. Never lose that. Stay visible. Invest in your future and keep working together. So my testimony is pretty simple today. I'm proud to say if you look at the last several years and you look at the things that everybody in this room has accomplished, that's exactly what we've done. We've invested in the future of Ohio agriculture. We've invested in generational investments in this industry for this state. And that was a result of the work of you guys sitting right here at this dais. We appreciate that. It's the passion of our governor, of the administration that was up here, the College of Food Ag and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University, the veterinary school, our other colleges of agriculture, of our agricultural business community, and also of all the agricultural farmer groups here in the room today. We owe all of them, a great, everybody, a great word of thank you for investing in the future. What's that big hat trick that we put in this year? Those three big ribbon cuttings, if you will. One's right here. You guys know that, the Expo Center and the State Fair. The second one was at MALC, the large new investment at Ohio State University. And the third one, of course, is the Department of Agriculture's Animal Diagnostics Lab that's already been spoken about today. Those are investments that are critical. I'll also point out this. They not standalone investments They not just specific right Each of these are centristic to the state of agriculture in this state They work together They build off each other And they build for our future so that we unlike California Farm Bureau and California agriculture in general is not out of sight and out of mind These investments keep us front and center. And to the representatives' comment earlier about educating the public, in the very first day down here in the new Ag Center, we counted over 5,000 visitors through that door last Wednesday in one day, in one day of Ohioans who were learning about agriculture. So as we cut all these ribbons this year, both at Ohio State and here at the Expo Center and at the Department of Agriculture, my only question for all of us in this room is, what's next? Let's keep challenging ourselves. Let's keep asking that question. we've just begun, what's next? Chairman, I'll wrap up my testimony with a quick thank you to all of our reception sponsors and invite everybody here to the reception that'll be held in the back of the room back here. It has a lot of products featuring the diversity of Ohio agriculture. We appreciate everybody's sponsorship of that. Let me read off the list real fast of all those who sponsored. Nationwide, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Ohio Cattlemen, pork producers, poultry producers, the dairy producers, ADA Mideast, sheep improvement, soybean, Ohio corn and wheat, agribusiness, the Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, veterinary medical, meat processors, forestry association, the produce growers and marketers, the craft brewers, the wine producers, the restaurant and hospitality alliance, the apple marketers program, and of course the farm bureau. Thank you chairman, thank you committee for everything you guys have done to invest in the future of Ohio agriculture and to keep us an agricultural state. Any questions?

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