Ohio Ag News Headlines Ag Department Features Food, Contests at Ohio State Fair Ohio Ag Connection - 07/29/2010 Sweet maple syrup, fragrant tomatoes, colorful peppers and freshly smoked meats are just a few of the delicious products made in Ohio and grown in Ohio available in the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Ohio Proud Farmers Market tent at the 2010 Ohio State Fair. Along with experiencing some fresh produce and high-quality Ohio Proud products, fairgoers can also participate in contests celebrating Ohio's thriving food and agriculture industry. Ohio Proud partner, Velvet Ice Cream, will be featured on Thursday at 4 p.m. as the department hosts the tallest ice cream cone contest. Corn, one of Ohio's largest grain crops, will also be featured in a corn husking competition on Aug. 2, at noon. The market, open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., is located just north of 17th Ave. near the Cardinal Gate and will feature products such as jams, jellies, honey, coffee, meats, cheeses, herbal soaps and teas. A wide variety of locally grown, fresh in-season produce will also be available, including corn, berries, melon, squash and beans. To encourage fairgoers to continue visiting farmers markets in their areas, a large map will be displayed in the Ohio Proud tent, marked with Ohio's farmers markets. Visitors can locate their local farmers markets for future trips to gather fresh Ohio-grown and made products. Created in 1993, Ohio Proud is the department's signature marketing program that helps consumers identify food and agricultural products that are made in Ohio and grown in Ohio. Currently there are 410 Ohio Proud partners located in 77 counties across the state. When consumers purchase Ohio Proud products, they help support the state's food and agriculture industry, which provides jobs for one in seven Ohioans and contributes more than $98 billion to the economy. For more information about the Ohio Proud program visit www.ohioproud.org. Copyright © 2010 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.