COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the 2023 Ohio State Fair winds down, Virgil Strickler took some time to look back over his career as the manager of the Ohio Exposition Commission for the past 20 years and director of agriculture for 30 years.

He is retiring at the end of this year.

Strickler grew up on the family farm in Amanda, Ohio, a grain and livestock farm. Stricker said that growing up, his family had a farrow to finish operation and fed out steers. Today the farm remains in the family and is operated by Strickler’s first cousins.

As the general manager of the Ohio Exposition Commission, Strickler oversaw over 200 events a year on about 365 acres, with a multitude of buildings. The exposition center employs 55 people on a full-time basis and 500 people on a part-time basis.  On the agricultural side, Strickler said a lot of things need to come together before the fair happens.

Strickler said overseeing the fairgrounds is a lot like overseeing a farm, with buildings to keep up, and electric, water and HVAC systems to maintain.

 As the director of agriculture, Strickler oversees entries and exhibitors in both the junior and open divisions. “I am passionate about the fair,” said Strickler. “But I also enjoy the variety of activities that take place during the year.”

“We want 4-H and FFA to be an enjoyable experience,” said Strickler.  “But we are only as good as the county and independent fairs in Ohio. That is what makes the state fair great.”

 Strickler said he will miss the job when he retires. 

Strickler said his employees have also helped him get where he is today. “The commissioners have been there for me,” he said. “We have partnerships with a lot of different organizations, so I want to make sure we are going in the right direction. I try to build consensus because you can’t get where you want to go without great people around you.” 

For Strickler, every fair has been memorable for one reason or another. In 1995 a challenge in the junior fair livestock division brought together representatives from the livestock department, 4-H, FFA, extension, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture to find a solution. The result was the implementation of the outstanding market exhibitor program and skillathon for the livestock species exhibiting at the state fair. 

Strickler and his wife, Kim, have four daughters and eight grandchildren, so his plans following his retirement as fair manager include spending more time with his family. 

“I still want to be part of agriculture,” he said. “I will find something to do.”