PHOTO: Ohio Gov.-elect John Kasich (center) is flanked by Ohio Rep. Jim Zehringer (right) and farmer Terry McClure during the 2010 Farm Science Review. Kasich announced Nov. 16 that Zehringer is his pick as the next Ohio director of agriculture.
COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov.-elect John Kasich selected state Rep. Jim Zehringer to serve as the director of agriculture in his new administration.
Zehringer is currently serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives, after receiving his initial appointment in February 2007. He represents the 77th House District, which encompasses Mercer and Preble counties as well as portions of Darke County.
He is the former owner of the Meiring Poultry and Fish Farm in Fort Recovery, Ohio, a family operation started by his in-laws. During his time on the farm, he modernized the poultry operation and expanded into aquaculture. The farm has received an Environmental Stewardship Award from the Ohio Poultry Association and Ohio Livestock Coalition, as well as the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Family Farm Environmental Excellent Award.
As a member of the legislature, Zehringer served as ranking minority member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and also served on the following committees: Commerce and Labor; Consumer Affairs and Economic Protection; Financial Institutions, Real Estate, and Securities; and Transportation and Infrastructure.
He also was the vice-chair of the regulatory reform task force.
He served as a Mercer County Commissioner from 2002 to 2007.
A graduate of Fort Recovery High School, he still lives in Fort Recovery with his wife Sharon in Fort Recovery. They have three children, Julie, John and Kristy, and two grandchildren.
