STATEHOUSE (May 21, 2025) – Gov. Mike Braun recently ceremonially signed into law legislation authored by State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) to provide FFA and 4-H students with excused school absences.
Baird, a member of the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, said House Enrolled Act 1660 will ensure that Hoosier students can participate in 4-H and FFA events, up to six times per school year, without being penalized with unexcused absences. Students will have to be in good academic standing for these absences to be excused.
"Indiana has a rich agricultural history, and this new law allows Hoosier students to fully engage in these programs while maintaining good academic standing," Baird said. "Encouraging students who are interested in agriculture and farming is important to ensure Indiana's continued success in these areas. I'm proud to have authored this law and I'm grateful to Gov. Braun and my colleagues for their support."
Baird said that 4-H and FFA provide students with invaluable experiences that build leadership, responsibility and real-world skills. In fact, over 14,000 students participate in FFA in Indiana, with over 200 chapters statewide. Additionally, 4-H programs can be found in all 92 counties.
You can learn more about FFA and their programs by clicking here and 4-H programs here.
To learn more about HEA 1660 and other new laws signed by the governor, click here.
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State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44,
which includes all of Putnam County and a portion of Montgomery County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Mike Braun ceremonially signs into law State Rep. Beau Baird's (R-Greencastle) bill to provide FFA and 4-H students with excused school absences on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Bill sponsor State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) (front, left) joined Braun (seated, center) and Baird (front, right). FFA state officers were also in attendance.
