Some of Ohio’s boldest and fun-loving state legislators came together to show off their animal handling skills at the Ohio State Fair’s Battle for the Bacon, a collaborative event produced by the Ohio Pork Council (OPC) and the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA).
“We bring state legislators, whether or not they have a farm background, and team them up with our OH-PIG youth participants,” says OPC president Nathan Schroeder. “It is a great way to bridge a gap between two worlds and have a lot of fun doing it.”
Rep. Bob Peterson and Rep. Roy Klopfenstein served as judges for the event. OPC Executive Vice President Cheryl Day, along with ODA’s Director Brian Baldridge, kept the crowd informed of the show ring events while recognizing those who volunteer to make it all possible, especially the youth mentors and their families who helped the legislators prepare for their show ring experience.
“This continues to be a highlight for us to be able to show our state legislators just what it takes to not only show a pig but to care for it round the clock every day,” Day says. “That’s why we’re so pleased to have so many great youth mentors and their families from our OH-PIGS show pig circuit who step up to assist these lawmakers each year in preparing for the show ring and explaining how they raise these animals on the farm.”
After the legislator and mentor were introduced to the crowd of cheering fans, the lawmakers took their pigs to the ring as the crowd watched them employ their “unique showmanship style” to keep their animal showing at its best.
The 2025 participants (legislators and youth exhibitors) included:
- Senator Kyle Koehler & Wade Smith
- Senator Michele Reynolds & Megan Smith-McCarley
- Senator Willis Blackshear & Allison Brink
- Senator Kristina Roegner & Gilbert White
- Representative Christine Cockley & Alli Knecht
- Representative Dave Thomas & Taylor Ellsworth
- Representative Haraz Ghanbari & Clair Lampe
- Representative Kellie Deeter & Kinsley Swanson
- Representative Melanie Miller & Addilyn Bryant
- Representative Michele Grim & Tucker Schuffenecker
- Representative Kevin Miller & Colton Beckstedt
- Representative Erika White & Ava Genter
- Representative Johnathan Newman & Genevieve Davis
In the end, Rep. Haraz Ghanbari of Perrysburg was named the grand champion, with reserve champion honors going to Rep. Johnathan Newman of Troy.
“The real champions are our 4-H and FFA youth,” Ghanbari said in a release. “Claire was an outstanding coach and ambassador for Wood County and the entire state. I’m proud to share this win with her — and ice cream.”
Each lawmaker went away with a specialized banner, recognizing their efforts and ensuring future fond memories.
“This event is a unique way to engage with our state’s key political leaders in a fun and lighthearted way that connects them with our industry,” Day says. “It’s always about bringing people together to understand that we’re all striving to do what’s best for our state and beyond—doing what’s right for our people, our pigs, and our environment to ensure a better future for everyone.”
