COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) presented its 2024 Distinguished Service Awards to Dr. John Mossbarger, of Fayette County; Sen. Rob Portman, of Warren County; and Jane Scott, of Franklin County, in recognition for their contributions to Ohio’s agriculture industry and farm bureau.

The trio was recognized during OFBF’s 106th annual meeting.

In presenting the award to Mossbarger, Ty Higgins, director of communications for OFBF, noted that Mossbarger’s career has always been about building relationships within Ohio’s $1 billion equine industry. “Through those relationships, he has also built upon a family legacy, as a trusted veterinarian, respected breeder and reliable friend, that will last for generations,” Higgins said.

Mossbarger, of Bloomingburg, is a second-generation food animal veterinarian, standardbred breeder and past member of OFBF’s board of trustees. He is president of his family’s Midland Acres, Inc.

Mossbarger knew from the time he was a fifth grader that he wanted to be a veterinarian and spent his time riding with his father on farm calls while he was growing up. He has played an active role in the breeding operation and in Ohio’s standardbred industry.

Midland Acres was established by Mossbarger’s father in 1967 and is home to some of Ohio’s top stallions. It provides stud service for about 700 mares a year. Over the years, stallions at Midland Acres have sired Little Brown Jug champions, Hambletonian winners and countless million-dollar winners and producers. Mossbarger was actively involved in writing policy that would allow terminals at Ohio racetracks to generate additional income for Ohio’s racing industry.

He is a past president of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Ohio Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, and a member of the Fayette County Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Mossbarger was elected to the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2024, received the 2021 Maynard and Stella Hagemeyer Significant Contribution Award by the Ohio Chapter of U.S. Harness Writers Association, and the Rambling Willie Achievement Award in 2005.

“I am truly honored to be considered for this award,” Mossbarger said. “It has been an honor to work with farm bureau and the equine industry. I believe it is important to pay forward and give back. We need people to give back as volunteers.”

Scott grew up on a farm in Logan County and started her career with a local farmers’ cooperative. By 1980, the climate was starting to change at the cooperative and by the time the cooperative was facing the fifth merger, Scott decided it was time to change her career path.

Moving from grain, fertilizer and other inputs for farmers, Scott became an early advocate for the Ohio wine industry. She co-owned Wyandotte Wine Cellars, and in 1990 established William Graystone Winery in Columbus’s Brewery District. Along with her involvement in the wineries, she has been involved in supporting the industry by serving on the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. She has served as president of the Ohio Wine Producers Association’s board, helped establish the Vintage Ohio event and served on the advisory group that developed the Ohio Proud branding program.

Following her tenure with the wine and grape industry, Scott spent two decades as president and CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Club. The club is a non-profit organization presenting weekly public forums to address issues relevant to the community.

Scott continues to be involved in supporting and promoting agriculture, serving on the board of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. She has served on the advisory board of the Ohio State University’s Franklin County Extension service, OSU Alumni Association, Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences dean’s advisory council and the Ohio 4-H Foundation.

“Jane has always worked to connect the agricultural community and the business community,” Higgins said. “She is passionate about bringing people together.”

Scott said serving as the CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Club was the perfect opportunity to bring agriculture and urban people together.

“Being recognized by farm bureau is the highest form of recognition I can receive,” Scott said.

Portman spent three decades as a public servant, serving six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and two terms in the U.S. Senate. He served in three presidential administrations.

During his time in the public sector, Portman was known for his civility, successful bipartisan policymaking, work ethic, and grasp of a broad range of complex issues. While serving in the George W. Bush administration, he served as director of the Office of Management and Budget as well as U.S. Trade Representative. Under President George H.W. Bush, Portman served as associate counsel to the president and director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

During his time as a legislator, over 220 of Portman’s bills were signed into law by Presidents Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Barack Obama, including the farm bill in 2012 and 2018. Shortly before his retirement from the Senate, he served as the lead Republican negotiator on the bipartisan infrastructure law that is making historic improvements to the nation’s roads, ports, rails, bridges, and broadband, all vital to the success of American agriculture.

“When I was in high school and college, I worked on a farm before heading to law school,” Portman said. “I loved it, I saw how people worked together and helped each other.”

Portman currently serves as the founder of the Portman Center for Policy Solutions at the University of Cincinnati and a distinguished visiting fellow in the Practice of Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute. Portman and his son also produce beef, vegetables, honey and maple syrup for the Golden Lamb Restaurant.