September 20-22, Molly Caren Agricultural Center
US (OH): Health and safety exhibits featured at Farm Science Review
While most of the anticipated 110,000-plus attendees at the Sept. 20-22 event come for the agricultural presentations and demonstrations, many make at least one stop in the McCormick Building, located about halfway down Friday Avenue, the main drag of the exhibit grounds.
One of the nation’s premier agricultural trade and education shows, the Farm Science Review is an annual three-day event sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. It takes place at the college’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center, about 25 miles west of Columbus. Admission is $7 in advance, $10 at the gate, and free for children 5 and younger.
A representative from the State Fire Marshal's office hosts the Safety House Exhibit at the 2014 Farm Science Review. Using the simulator, visitors can safely practice using a fire extinguisher, so they're prepared in case they're faced with a real fire hazard. (photo: Ken Chamberlain, CFAES)
“People come back year after year for the screenings and other health information available,” said Andrea Bowlin, coordinator of the offerings in the McCormick Building and chief advancement officer for Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology.
“So many of them tell us that they didn’t realize until they got their blood sugar checked that they needed to be screened for diabetes, or they made an appointment with a dermatologist after getting their skin checked with the Dermascan at the Review.”
The health screenings, offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily at the Review, will be provided by Madison Health and Ohio State’s College of Nursing. The Madison County-London City Health District will offer preventive health materials.
In addition, for the third year, the State Fire Marshal’s office will staff the Safety House Exhibit in the building. A big draw is a hands-on fire extinguisher simulation, said Steve Waltman, fire safety educator.
“It’s an electronic fire, and you’re able to use the simulator to practice how to extinguish it,” Waltman said. “People coming through the exhibit might tell me that they’ve never had to use a fire extinguisher. I say, ‘Well, wouldn’t you want to know how to use it if you ever would have to?’ It’s a good, safe environment to help people learn.”
Ohio has about 100 to 110 fire deaths annually, and many are kitchen-related, Waltman said. The State Fire Marshal’s office conducts these demonstrations at venues throughout the state in an attempt to reduce those numbers.
Most visitors to the exhibit say they can’t believe how fast a fire can spread, he said.
“If they do have a kitchen fire, it can spread up into the cupboards and cause a lot of damage very quickly,” Waltman said. “We also talk about smoke detectors and early detection.”
Also on display in the McCormick Building is the longstanding Universal Design Exhibit, with tours offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The exhibit features bathroom and kitchen models with features that make them accessible and comfortable to use for people of all ages, heights and abilities, plus a Universal Design Garage Display sponsored by Ohio State University Extension’s Ohio AgrAbility program. Also on hand is a Lowe’s Universal Design Product Display.
“Universal design is not just for people with disabilities,” Bowlin said. “It helps people of all ages and stages of life.”
In all, the Review will have more than 100 educational presentations and 600 mostly agriculture-related exhibitors displaying more than 4,000 product lines. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20-21 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22.
For more information:
fsr.osu.edu