COLUMBUS, Ohio – Relationships matter. That was the goal behind the inaugural Ohio House and Senate Pork Off during the Ohio State Fair. The Pork Off was organized by Brian Baldridge director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, as a way for Ohio House and Senate members to get to know their constituents by teaming up with junior fair swine exhibitors.

“This was a friendly competition,” Baldridge said. “We teamed legislators with 4-H members. The members provided the pigs and showmanship techniques for the legislators.”

Baldridge is no stranger to the Ohio State Fair and the swine barn in particular, as he exhibited pigs at the fair as a junior fair exhibitor. Showing pigs is a family affair for the Baldridge family as both Baldridge and his daughters have shown hogs at the county, state and national levels.

Before assuming his role as director of the Department of Agriculture, Baldridge served in the legislature, where he built relationships with other legislators. When he came up with the Pork Off idea, Baldridge called on two friends – Bob Peterson and Don Jones – from his days in the legislature to serve as judges. Baldridge’s connection to Peterson goes back to his days in the legislature. Peterson, representing Congressional District 91, is a veteran of the show ring, as he also exhibited pigs when he was growing up. The first time Peterson met Baldridge was when Peterson was working in the swine barn at the Ohio State Fair and Baldridge was a young exhibitor.

“For many people, showing a hog looks easy, but it is harder than it looks,” Peterson said. “This is a great event. It tells our story. These people did a nice job in the ring tonight.”

Looking back over his time in the barn, Peterson said the barn is a community and exhibitors build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Jones, who represents Congressional District 95, is a retired agricultural education teacher and beef farmer by trade and has purchased hogs from Baldridge for his children to show. Jones and his family have shown hogs at the state fair swine show. Jones said the show was a great way to bring his colleagues together with their constituents and the industry.

“Brian cares about the industry and what provides for the state of Ohio,” Jones said.

Baldridge was pleased with the inaugural event.

“This was a good first start,” he said. “It is important to build relationships and tell our great story as good news. If we don’t tell the story, others may tell a story that is not as favorable to the agriculture community.”

For Cheryl Day, vice president of the Ohio Pork Council, the Pork Off was a great event. Day said the Ohio Pork Council represents every part of the industry, from commercial producers to the show industry. Day added there may appear to be a divide from the commercial world, but commercial producers are very connected to 4-H and the show ring as many of them had been part of 4-H when they were younger.

“The Ohio Pork Council is heavily invested in youth, connecting with youth and teaching them about the industry,” Day said. “We hope they stay in agriculture and the pork industry in particular.”

Day said that one neat thing that happened during the Pork Off was a question from one of the exhibitors regarding how the legislature worked and what the legislators did. She added that it was a chance to educate the young exhibitors as well.

“We hope we can get more legislators involved and continue to build relationships,” Day said. “I hope we can get our young showman excited about the possibility of being in agriculture or even in the legislature.”

As for the junior fair, Peterson said they have a purpose.

“That young person showing a hog, could be the next governor, legislator or even the Director of Agriculture,” Peterson said.