COLUMBUS Governor touts fair, business

The governor's traditional sleepover was planned for today in the dairy barns.
By Jeff Ortega
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State Fair is an opportunity to showcase Ohio agriculture, the state's largest industry, Gov. Bob Taft says.
"Agriculture is really the foundation of Ohio's economy," Taft said as he toured the 360-acre Ohio Expo Center.
Agribusiness in Ohio is a $73 billion industry. Ohio's leading crops are eggs, soybeans, corn, dairy and floriculture.
The state fair, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, pays homage to that economic sector, Taft said.
"We're celebrating Ohio's great agricultural heritage," the Republican Taft said. "We can feed ourselves, but we export food all over the world -- soybeans, corn and animals."
Taking it in
Clad in a blue, short-sleeved shirt and a white, wide-brimmed hat, Taft joined other state leaders in taking in the sights and sounds of the fair Friday, the opening day of the state fair's 17-day run.
At the Youth Fish Pond, the governor posed for pictures with fairgoers fishing for bluegill and catfish.
He rode in a tractor-pulled tram down the midway past the rides and the food vendors.
Taft strolled through aisles at the Bicentennial Quilt Show and ate pork chops at a booth in the Ohio Food Pavilion.
Taft also visited the sheep barns, walking along the pens that filled the building and observing youngsters showing their animals.
Finally, the governor conducted the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Youth Choir and led fairgoers in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" to mark the fair's 150th year.
The governor was planning to make the traditional gubernatorial sleepover at the fair today, staying at the dairy barns with the Duncan family of Coshocton County.
Agribusiness
Agribusiness reaches into every part of Ohio, Taft said.
"You've got companies here like Campbell's Soup employing thousands of people, Smucker's -- you've got all these agribusiness companies that are built on the farm and agricultural history of Ohio," Taft said.
Campbell's Soup has a plant in Napoleon in northwest Ohio, while jelly and jam maker J.M. Smucker Co. is based in Orrville in northeast Ohio.
State Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey said the state fair helps develop Ohio's youth.
"I think what you'll find is that many of the kids that exhibit at the fair are making memories that last a lifetime," Dailey said. "They're learning responsibilities."
Last year, more than 969,000 people attended the Ohio State Fair.