MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Recently, Marion County and Marion City played host to a delegation of 20 international journalists, an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Center. The goal of the visit was to foster a deeper understanding of U.S. policies and values through direct engagement with foreign media.
The Ohio Farm Bureau extended a warm welcome to the foreign reporters participating in the tour. The group visited Laudenslager Farms in Marion County, where they were hosted by Jonathan Zucker. Journalists from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and the South Pacific had the opportunity to hear from members and staff of the Ohio Farm Bureau about pressing issues in agriculture, including climate change, technological advancements, labor issues, trade, and regulations.
Following their visit to the county, the delegation met with Mayor Bill Collins. Jake Goshert, Media Relations Officer for the Washington, D.C.-based Foreign Press Center, stated, “We have been exploring democracy, the election process, and the state of America on this tour.” The journalists engaged in a discussion with the mayor about the recent primary election, security concerns, and the impact of federal elections on local government and city budget.
The journalists, hailing from various countries, each had unique interests pertinent to their readers. They will return to their respective news outlets to report on their observations and learnings. Mayor Collins expressed, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase our community to a global audience and establish valuable connections.”