State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari Crowned Grand Champion

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) earned grand champion honors Wednesday evening in the inaugural Buckeye Baa-ttle sheep showmanship competition at the Ohio State Fair.

Ghanbari showed Shooter, a Southdown wether, with guidance from his youth coach, 11-year-old Millie Culp of Wood County. Culp, an experienced 4-H sheep exhibitor, helped prepare Ghanbari for the competition and mentored him in the show ring.

“Millie was an outstanding coach, and this honor belongs just as much to her,” Ghanbari said. “Her knowledge, confidence and dedication reflect the very best of Wood County. Agriculture is woven into the fabric of our county, and our 4-H youth are the future of agriculture. I am proud to help showcase the young people, families and farmers who sustain this vital part of our community and Ohio’s economy.”

Kevin Miller, Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, was named reserve champion.

The event was hosted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and the Ohio State Fair. It brought legislators, state cabinet members and media representatives into the show ring alongside accomplished Ohio 4-H and FFA sheep exhibitors.

“It was really fun to connect the dots between Ohio agriculture, our General Assembly and our cabinet,” Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge said. “That’s what we do in the agriculture community — we tell the story of agriculture. It is one of the largest industries in our great state, and as farmers, we love to feed Ohioans, feed the nation and feed the world.”

Each participant was paired with an experienced youth exhibitor who served as a coach and mentor throughout the competition. Together, the teams demonstrated the animal care, communication and teamwork required to successfully exhibit livestock.

The victory marked Ghanbari’s second consecutive grand champion title at the Ohio State Fair. In 2025, he captured the coveted grand champion title in Battle for the Bacon: The Legislator Showdown, a swine showmanship competition.

The Buckeye Baa-ttle joins Battle for the Bacon as part of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s efforts to spotlight Ohio livestock, youth exhibitors and the importance of agriculture through hands-on experiences at the fair. This year’s Battle for the Bacon is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, in the O’Neill Swine Barn.

Ghanbari, serving his third elected term, represents Ohio House District 75, which includes nearly all of Wood County.