COLUMBUS, Ohio – As America celebrates its 250th birthday, America 250-Ohio has partnered with Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide to launch the 44-page Ohio Ag-Venture Guide, a statewide initiative designed to celebrate Ohio agriculture as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The guide features 54 agricultural adventures organized across five regions of Ohio (Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest and Central), offering suggested itineraries alongside family-friendly attractions, scenic drives, seasonal activities, educational stops and local food experiences. Visitors can discover orchards, fruit farms, pumpkin patches, creameries and cheese shops, farmers markets, corn mazes and hayrides, U-pick flowers, greenhouses, arboretums, vineyards, animal encounters, fairs, festivals and historical farms.

“The Ohio Ag-Venture Guide was designed to allow families across the state to explore the incredible farms, orchards, markets and seasonal celebrations across each region of Ohio,” said Todd Kleismit, executive director of the America 250-Ohio Commission. “Whether you’re searching for the perfect pumpkin, hoping to sample some locally made cheeses or just want to take that scenic drive through the fall foliage, this guide highlights the best autumn adventures our state has to offer.”

Kleismit said the guide was created to help support Ohio’s local farmers, small businesses and agricultural families in the months of September and October.

“Part of the goal with this tour is to highlight many of the agritourism sites across Ohio as well as educate visitors about agriculture and celebrate Ohio’s ag heritage,” said Ryan Matthews, director of communications at Ohio Farm Bureau. “This is an opportunity for Ohio growers to showcase what they do on the farm and show visitors there their food comes from.”

According to Matthews, submissions from producers were evaluated based on accessibility, relevance and visitor experience. All sites are open to walk-in visitors during regular hours and offer adequate parking, have a direct connection to agritourism, and offer guests an opportunity to spend an hour or two at each site.

Fifteen stops appear in the central part of the state. From historic family homesteads and town squares to bustling makers’ markets, this region highlights harmony between rich farming traditions and farm-to-table culinary experiences.

One such central stop is Lohstroh Family Farms in Centerburg. Here visitors can step onto a sixth-generation family farm and get a closer look at where Ohio-grown food begins. Among Katahdin sheep, hay fields and working farmland, visitors experience agriculture firsthand at this farm, which dates to 1866.

The northwest region offers five stops with opportunities to pick fresh apples, create your own wildflower bouquet, paddle scenic waterways or explore historic farmsteads.

One Northwest hotspot is Johnston Fruit Farms in Swanton. This family apple orchard and cider mill has been in operation since 1954 and offers guests a chance to pick apples and pumpkins, gather fresh berries, stroll among sunflowers, take a hayride and visit the petting zoo.

In the northeast zone there are 16 enticing stops, and a must-see location is Woolf Farms Market Store in Salem. At this third-generation farm visitors can take a hay wagon to the orchard for U-pick, then explore the Activity Farm filled with kid-friendly attractions including zip lines, a hay maze, corn maze, duck races and barrel carts. Finish the stop by enjoying their fresh-made donuts and lattes, or shop at their market for some farm-grown produce.

The southwest portion of the state offers 11 enticing stops, including community gardens, vineyards, multi-generational dairy farms, alpaca farms and seasonal events at county fairgrounds.

A hotspot in the southwest is Hidden Valley Orchards in Lebanon. Since 1956, Hidden Valley Orchards has offered U-pick experiences, wagon rides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, sunflower fields, a barnyard animal village, food, drinks and lived music.

The southeast region offers seven stops. Here visitors experience the region’s farming and timber heritage at harvest festivals, the many corn mazes, apple butter gatherings and U-pick berry farms.

Perhaps getting the most attention in the Southeast is McPeek’s Mighty Maze in Coshocton. Now in its 11th season of getting families lost in the stalks, McPeek’s offers fun and games for all ages. An interactive scavenger hunt challenges visitors with trivia about Ohio farmers and the important role agriculture has played in the state and nation. Stick around after dark for a thrilling Flashlight Night experience.

Ohio started making plans for the 250-year celebration back in 2022, with the establishment of the America-250 Ohio Commission. The 29-member commission has spent the last four years developing ways to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring the ways Ohio has impacted U.S. history.

Each month of the year has focused on a different theme that demonstrates a comprehensive story about Ohio’s legacy in America and highlights different aspects of the state’s history, from First Peoples to sports, from music to transportation. The themes were selected to tell a statewide story that is diverse, inclusive, and representative of Ohio’s role in shaping the nation.

The state’s farming industry was chosen by the commission to take center stage in the America-250 Ohio spotlight in September and October.