Zehringer to lead ag efforts

FORT RECOVERY — Ohio State Rep. Jim Zehringer (R-Fort Recovery) has been named as the next director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Republican Gov.-elect John Kasich made the announcement Tuesday during a speaking event at Wright State University in Celina.
Zehringer, a Fort Recovery resident and owner of Meiring Poultry and Fish Farm, was appointed to the state legislature in February 2007. He was re-elected to his second full term this month in an unopposed election.
Zehringer will be sworn in to the state legislature on Jan. 3, but will have to resign his seat in order to be sworn in as agriculture director on Jan. 10.
The Republican caucus will then make an appointment to fill Zehringer’s vacant seat.
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The 77th district represents Mercer, Preble and parts of Darke County.
“He’s a farmer, he’s a legislator and most importantly, he has a connection to all of small-town Ohio,” Kasich said in a story by the Associated Press. “His job is not just to work with farmers, but it is also to work with universities to figure out how to open up the research and development.”
“While serving as a state representative, I have fought to keep Ohio’s farms strong and address agricultural issues,” Zehringer said in the AP story. “I fully intend to maintain this same commitment as director of the agency.”[[In-content Ad]]