Members of the Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee experienced a change of scenery today, replacing suits and ties with short sleeves and boots as they convened during a special committee meeting held at the Ohio State Fair.

Surrounded by the sites, sounds and even smells of the Ohio State Fair, legislators met in the Donahey Nationwide Agriculture and Horticulture Building on the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Cliff Hite (R-Findlay) was accompanied by State Senators Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township), Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City), Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) and Bob Peterson (R-Sabina). 

"This meeting away from the Statehouse provides fairgoers unique access to the legislative process and demonstrates the importance lawmakers place on Ohio's No.1 industry," said Hite. "Of course, one of the perks of holding the agriculture committee at the State Fair is access to funnel cakes, corn dogs and other fair treats after business is finished."

The meeting featured updates from government, industry and academic leaders on issues that affect Ohio agriculture and the Ohio State Fair. 

Speakers included Lt. Governor Mary Taylor; Tom Price, Chairman of the Ohio Expositions Commission; Virgil Strickler, General Manager of the Ohio State Fair; Craig Butler, Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Dave Daniels, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture; Jim Zehringer, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Jack Fisher, Executive Vice President of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; Dr. Bruce McPheron, Dean of The Ohio State University's College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Jim Chakeres, Executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association; and members of the Ohio State Fair's Junior Fair Board.